376EFSS celebrates the Pacific Island Cultural Day of Sharing

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC -- Members of the 376th Air Expeditionary Force Support Squadron share traditional Pacific Island songs and dances with a group of more than 100 Kyrgyz children during the Pacific Island Cultural Day of Sharing in the village of Jeny Pahkta, Aug. 20. The 376th EFSS has sponsored the Kyrygz village for six years, donating clothes and painting and cleaning the local school. (Air Force photo / Senior Airman Alison Osborn)

376EFSS celebrates the Pacific Island Cultural Day of Sharing

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC -- (closest to furtherest) Staff Sgt. Vicent Perez, Senior Airman Rico Respicio, Staff Sgt. Justin Suga and Tech. Sgt. Shannon Thornley practice moments before their concert during the Pacific Island Cultural Day of Sharing in the Kyrgyz Republic village of Jeny Pahkta, Aug. 20. The group of performers from the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, many from the Guam Air National Guard, took a final oppurtunity share their culture with the Kyrygyz children before they return to their home bases at the end of August. (Air Force photo / Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss)

Guardsmen Share Aloha with Kyrgyzstan Kids

Published Oct. 8, 2008
By 154 WG Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan Republic -- Members from the 154th Services Flight, deployed to Manas Air Force Base, Kyrgyzstan, were joined by more than 15 members of the 254th Services Flight, Guam Air National Guard, to spread the Island and Aloha spirit with the community of Jeny Pahkta by hosting a Pacific Island Cultural Day.
The Airmen, deployed as part of the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, visited the village prior to this event to paint, clean and distribute donated clothes and supplies to the children.
The numerous Islanders participating in the cultural day brought out their creativity and talents by performing as singers, back-up singers, and dancers. The Airmen also assisted in the set-up, break-down and most importantly in helping to encourage crowd participation.
Tech. Sgt. Lori Lopez, 154 SVF, provided the choreography for the dance portion of the performance. She taught the dancers "Ulupalakua" and "Hafa Adai." She also took care of ordering of leis and the material for the dancers.
Not only did the crowd receive a dance performance for entertainment but the Airmen also brought a little song into the event by performing Island favorites such as, "Honey baby," "Under the Boardwalk," "Hafa Adai," and "Stir it up."