Undersecretary of the Army Joseph Westphal presented former Army Technical Sergeant Shinyei “Rocky” Matayoshi on June 7 with the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the nation’s second highest award for valor, for his extraordinary heroism at Mount Belvedere, Italy. Photo: US Army

Officers of the World Health Ambassadors (WHA) celebrate its successful annual fundraiser with a cook-out with families and friends. At the video presentation of its recent medical missions, WHA Executive Director Thien Do (second row, far left) reported the all-volunteer organization raised approximately $18,000.

President of Mongolia Tsakhia Elbegdorj (left) and former Ambassador John D. Negroponte are shown at the Asia Society Washington Annual Awards Dinner, held in D.C. on June 15. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Delegate Susan C. Lee, who was part of the recent delegation to Asia said Governor O’Malley’s Trade Mission to China, Korea and Vietnam was “a tremendous success, yielding $85 million in direct foreign investments in Maryland.

Jiangsu International Chamber of Commerce (JSICC) held its 1st Annual Conference with a US-China Entrepreneur Forum last May. Over a hundred U.S. and Chinese entrepreneurs, government officials, and JSICC members came. Chinese entrepreneurs came from Jiangsu, Hunan and Shenzhen, and American business people were from the D.C. area.

President Obama himself took this photo at the White House Reception by for the White House Initiative on AAPIs. From left: Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, aU.s. Rep. Judy Chu and Director M. Farook Sait of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights Division Food Safety & Inspection Service, and also immediate past president of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC).

The Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC) recently presented awards to individuals, groups and companies that have helped promote the ideals of the PAFC. From left: Rebeca Pagsibigan, PAFC president; Ador Carreon, PAFC board chairman; Mitzi Pickard, Gala Ball Chair. Gloria T. Caoile was recognized for her contribution as one of the founders of PAFC. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Joan Lok, National President of the Sumi-e Society of America, engages in a lively discussion at the award dinner in McLean with Dr. Kan Kit-Keung,who served as the judge of the Society’s 48th annual juried exhibition. The entire show can be viewed online globally at www.sumieshow.org from 6/20/2011 through 1/30/2012. Or visit www.sumiesociety.org. Photo: Sarah Abou-Zied of the Sumi-e Society

Tsam Mask Dancers performed at the Asia Society Washington Annual Awards Dinner. The dancers belong to The Khan Bogd Ensemble of the Mongolian “Goo-Ertunts” Society, in D.C. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Young dancers perform a fan dance at the Asia Society Washington Awards Night. Yu Ying Charter School in D.C. offers bilingual Mandarin and English immersion program. Photo by: Bing Cardenas Branigin

Members of the US Volunteers-Joint Services Command, Unit 31, march at the Memorial Day Parade in Falls Church, Virginia.

Mali Phonpadith and members of the Lao Heritage Foundation at Fundraiser Night of Karaoke.

Vietnamese elementary and high school students perform the hat dance, organized by the Vietnamese Literary and Artistic Club, at the Award presentation of the 2011 Writing Contest at James Lee Community Center .Photo by Jackie Bong-Wright)

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) (www.PCSChicago.org) held its 11th annual “Punjabi Youth Graduation and Scholarship Awards Night.” More than 250 attended the event, held at the Viceroy of India Banquet Hall in Lombard, Illinois.

Shown at the June 18 Philippine Independence Anniversary Gala Ball at J.W. Marriott in D.C. are, from left: White House Executive Chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford; NaFFAA Bing Branigin Director; Beth A. Wong, APODCAA, and Luisa Po.

Photo shows participants at the Global Filipino Mini-summit in New York City, organized by the US Pinoys for Good Governance and the National. Federation of The Global Summit will take place in Manila on September 27-29.