HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month officially begins May 1, and the Hanscom community is invited to participate in activities and events planned to celebrate this year's theme of "Leadership to meet the challenges of a changing world." 

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed a public law declaring May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This law expanded Asian Pacific American Heritage celebrations, which honor the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognize their contributions to the United States, from a week to a month. 

The Hanscom community is invited to take part in the following Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities: 

Asian Studies Class: May 8, for 6th grade students at the Hanscom Middle School 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon: will be held May 12, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Minuteman Club. Tickets are $11 for Club members, $12 for non-members. The guest speaker for the luncheon is the Honorable Lisa Wong, Mayor of Fitchburg, Mass. Mayor Wong became the first Asian-American and second youngest mayor in the state of Massachusetts when she was elected to office in November 2007. She was born, raised and educated in Massachusetts and is an honors graduate of Boston University.

To purchase tickets for the luncheon or for more information contact Capt. Lee Akers at (781) 377-1185 or Ron Ricamora at (781) 377-8959.

Food Tasting: will be held May 21 at the Chapel Annex at 11:30 a.m. There is no fee to attend but donations are accepted. 

Origami Class: will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on May 30 at the Base Library.