General Ryoichi Oriki, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of the Japan Ministry of Defense, was in Washington , D.C. recently for high-level meetings. He also visited the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism. From left: Maj. Akikazu Shibasaki, Maj. Gen. Shinichi Kojo, Gen. Oriki, Terry Shima, Dr. Ray Murakami, Grant Ichikawa, Col. James R. Loy II (US Military Attache to Japan); Maj. Gen. Mitsuru Nodomi, Capt. Takayuki Sugimoto, and Christopher Field (Interpreter).

Joseph “Joe” Ichiuji of 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran and active community leader, passed away peacefully last month at his home in Maryland . He was 91. Ichiuji made unique contributions to JAVA’s National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) project and Speakers Bureau

Author Giovana Pang won in the 7th annual Asian Heritage Award, in the category of Art & Literature. Among the awards ceremony guests were Rep. Susan Davis and Rep. Judy Chu, representatives from the California governor’s office, Thai and Taiwan officials and Habitat for Humanity representatives.

Scenes from the recent Indonesian Fashion Show in D.C.: Designer Oscar Lawalata explaining the use of traditional Indonesian textiles in his designs, and Denny Wirawan with his models, displaying designs inspired by South Sumatera culture.

Soprano Saran Erdenebat (left) is shown with Bolormaa Khajidsuren, First Lady of Mongolia, at a June 29 luncheon discussion on “Mongolia: Challenges Facing Women and Children.”

Lily Qi of the Montgomery County Executive’s Office of Community Partnerships was one of the panelists at the Talkstory events of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. She joined the panel on “APAs in Metro DC: Issues We Face” July 5. Earlierr, she was in the June 25 panel discussion on “APA Arts in D.C.”

From left: Grant Ichikawa, Terry Shima and Myron Ellis present toast to the Commander-in-Chief at the recent U.S. Army Ball, where officials also paid tribute to the nation’s servicemen and women. Photo: Juan R. Tricoche, US Army.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly presents former Army 1st Lt. Ronald Markiewicz of Woodbridge with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star for gallantry in action and extraordinary achievement. Markiewicz, a helicopter pilot, received award 39 years after risking to rescue downed helicopter crews and wounded Vietnamese Marines in two separate incidents. (Text by Jackie Bong-Wright) Photo shows Makiewicz (center) with his wife and daughter, Congressman Connolly (second right) and members of the Vietnamese community. Photo: Jackie Bong-Wright

Consul General Domingo Nolasco last month launched the electronic Passport Service at the Philippine embassy, which uses the thumb print biometric machine. The consular office has moved to the old embassy building, to better serve the growing number of nationals with passport, document authentication and other services.

Dr. Vinh Nguyen, with microphone between the two flags, briefs some 1,500 who came to free Health Fair Day, organized by the Vietnamese Medical Society of North East America at Earnst Community Center , NOVA Annandale campus. Dr. Ho Kim Chi, forefront left, directs patients to medical stations. (Text by Jackie Bong-Wright) Dr. Ngo Minh Duc attends to a patient .Photo by Jackie Bong-Wright

Capt. Paul Jacobs (seated, left with white shirt), USS Kirk 1087, and Army soldiers partnered with Vietnamese Community and Vietnamese Veterans Federation to participate in July 4 Parade. Members of the U.S. Volunteers, Joint Services Command, march behind. The USS Kirk participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Vietnamese who escaped from Vietnam 1975 to 1979. They rescued over 32,000 Vietnamese at sea. Photo courtesy of Jackie Bong-Wright

Our youngest reader is five-year-old model and actress Jade Chun’an Doheny. Jade was born in Yiyang City, Hunan province, China and was adopted at two years of age by Washingtonian Kevin Doheny and his wife, Cathy.

OCA Summer interns meet with their representative, U.S. Rep. Bob Filner (D,CA). From left: Laura Nolan, Filner, and Matthew Yagyagan. Seven of the OCA Summer Interns have a photo-op after their legislative visits. From left: Maruel Unrein, Kha Ly, Krupa Patel, Dexter Rassavong, Tim Ng, Matthew Yagyagan and Kimberly Sarabia. Photos courtesy of OCA

At the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall on June 25, Korean drummers perform in perfect unison on the Asian Fusion stage, which features traditional music from East Asia .. Photo: Tin Nguyen

Alice Guzheng Ensemble (www.aliceguzhengensemble.org) performed ten songs, including “ America , the Beautiful,” “Chinese Kung Fu,” and “Jasmine Flowers” in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the National Mall on June 26.

Chinatown Community Cultural Center Tai Chi instructors held sessions with visitors, young and old, at the Asian American site at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. CCCC (www.ccccdc.org) in D.C. Chinatown offers free classes in Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Chinese Brush Painting, calligraphy, etc.

U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D, CA) held a birthday celebration at the DNC Building near the Capitol last June 22. Among the Asian American guests were, from left: Gloria Caoile of APALA, U.S. Rep. Judy Chiu (D, CA), and Loida Nicolas Lewis, CEO of TLC Beatrice International. Photo: Bing Cardenas Branigin

As part of the month-long celebrations of the 112th Philippine Independence, the Philippine American Foundation's for Charities (PAFC), and the Philippine Embassy, presented Simbuyo 2010. In keeping with the theme, "Kasarinlan, Kamalayan, at Kasuotan," the show presented songs, dances, and fashion show. The musical extravaganza was held at the Visitor's Center, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Kennsington, Maryland, last June 5. Amb. Willy C. Gaa, and Mrs. Linda Gaa, joined the performers after the show. Bing Cardenas Branigin