#  Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Employee Spotlight: Lamberto Manzo Jr

/ Published June 1, 2018
Richmond, Va. , 
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation’s Planning Process Directorate in conjunction with the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, celebrate Asian- American Pacific Islander Heritage Month May 1-31 by spotlighting DLA Aviation employee Lamberto Manzo Jr. 

**Name:**Lamberto Delrosario Manzo Jr.

**Title:** equipment specialist

**Where do you physically work and what organization do you report to?**Instruments Division, DLA Aviation-San Diego  

**How long have you worked for DLA?** five years, three as a contractor

**What does Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?** To me as an Asian-American, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a month that reminds me to be more thankful and to be humbled by the generation before me.

Whether Asian-Americans or Pacific Islanders from one year to 100 years ago, they have accomplished things to pave the road for me and my family and I must do the same. In order to lead, there must be one follower. This is what I mean by following the ones before me.

My father, Lamberto Delrosario Manzo, joined the U. S. Navy from the Philippines. The Philippines is a nice country, but my father wanted to give my mother a better life. He knew he would be sacrificing his life in order to maintain the liberties of my mother and other U.S. citizens. My brothers, cousins and I have done the same in serving our country, the United States of America. My family believes in unity.

**Tell us something unique about your heritage or country of origin:** My family loves to be together on every holiday and even every weekend. We know life is short. My mother passed away from leukemia when my sisters and I were young. This could happen to anyone of us. We do this to make sure our families do not lose contact. We know kids get older and we do, too.

**What misconception about your heritage or country of origin would you like to correct?** There are a couple of things: food choices and the country’s safe travel policy. Filipinos are known to have dined on canine. I’ve heard about those who have; but I personally have not.  The Philippines is a nice country to visit and discover, but it does have its bad places as well, so everyone still needs to be careful when on vacation or visiting.

**What do you consider the most important cultural value for you and for those close to you?** My family, from the day I was born, has shown me hard work must be accomplished in order for things to be right. My family and I enjoy getting together. We have potlucks and picnics. These are the days we do our future planning of family getaways to beaches in the summer and “staycations” [vacationing at home] in our areas. We also have strong religious values. I would love for my children, niece and nephews to take some of these traits and live by them. too. Actions speak louder than words in these cases.

**Tell us a little known fact that most people don’t know about you:** Not too many of my peers know that I am an avid martial arts follower. I practiced Kempo Karate for about 10 years in Oahu, Hawaii, and now I am practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay-Thai Kickboxing here in San Diego, California. I believe this is a great way to stay in shape physically and mentally.

**How important is it to you that Defense Logistics Agency Aviation recognize this month?** The importance of DLA to recognize Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is just as important as recognizing all cultures and diversity in DLA. DLA deals with a global magnitude of customers. All cultures and diversities in DLA need to operate as one cog [in the wheel] supporting the warfighter. We need to be mindful of all cultures and recognize the efforts and sacrifices that have been made.

**What do you want the DLA Aviation workforce to take away from celebrating this particular month?** Asian-American and Pacific Islanders worldwide are very hard-working people. We all believe in family and including everyone in everything we do, whether it’s a party or work. Being courteous and respectful is another aspect [of personal interactions] that needs to be addressed and known. And lastly this month is a refresher for every culture and all Asian-American and Pacific Islanders themselves to be aware of their own heritage and the sacrifices their generations have made for them.