DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated in the month of May and is used to recognize the contributions of
Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the United States.
Inclusivity is seen all throughout the military and it is important to recognize the stories of our Airmen as well. At DM, one specific Airmen stands out in his squadron for his passion and comradery.
“We have a diverse military and that's what makes us so powerful,” said Senior Airman Trace KeIkaika Pule, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection operator. “We celebrate this month with food and taking what we can learn from the people that came before us.”
Pule’s ethnicity is Hawaiian, Filipino, Tongan and Italian.
“On my mother’s side, it was my great-great-grandparents that moved from the Philippines to Hawaii to pick up farming on plantation lands for a better life,” Pule said. “My
great-grandpa from that family line was the first to serve in the U.S. Army.”
On Pule’s father’s side, his grandfather moved from Tonga to Hawaii where he then served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“My reason for joining was not only to be part of a family legacy, but because I always wanted to serve,” said Pule. “I think the military gives you a unique lifestyle and I plan on giving as much as I can to be a career Airman.”
Pule is the first active-duty U.S. Air Force member in his family, but he is not the first in his family to have enlisted in the military. His father currently serves in the Army National Guard, his mother was a contractor for the U.S. Army and his brother is in the Air National Guard.
“We all support the same mission when we put the uniform on and we all identify as Americans who defend our beautiful country,” Pule said.
Pule’s family history and driving innovation caters to the Air Force in achieving mission success. Sharing our Airman's story of passion and commitment in order to accelerate meaningful initiatives is another way of fortifying our force.