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Food, history and culture; Dover AFB hosts annual Multi-Cultural Expo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class James Bolinger
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
More than 600 Dover members "traveled around the world" June 23. They received stamps from 14 countries on their "passports." They tested foods from Iraq, learned about the history of the Ivory Coast and sampled the Jamaican culture, just to name a few. They even revisited the United States and refamiliarized themselves with the finer points of U.S. history while enjoying lemonade and watermelon slices from an old-fashioned lemonade stand.

The 436th Military Equal Opportunity office and the 436th Equal Employment Opportunity office hosted Dover's 2006 Multi-Cultural Expo to expose Airmen to the lives people lead in other countries.

"The Multi-Cultural Expo's purpose is to enhance cultural awareness," said Tech. Sgt. Wilbert Roberson, MEO NCO in charge. "This is a great example of the camaraderie and diversity that exists between the members of the Dover Air Force Base team."
Every squadron served their country's cuisine and highlighted the unique culture of each land.

For instance, Master Sgt. Tangie Ulrich, 436th Mission Support Squadron, gave a traditional Irish toast to the audience and Senior Airman Edwin Colon, 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron, performed a traditional Puerto Rican dance.
After everyone had filled their bellies with diverse foods and had their passports stamped at each exhibit, Col. Chad Manske, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander, handed out awards.

The U.S. exhibit took the Peoples' Choice Award, which drew shouts and whistles from the crowd.

The third place winner was the China exhibit, second place was the Great Britain exhibit, and first place was captured by the Ireland exhibit.

Upon entering the Expo each member was handed a passport with 14 countries listed on it. After visiting each stand members had their passports stamped and entered into a drawing. Sue Bailey won the passport gift basket and was transported around the world without ever stepping on a boat, plane or train.