ATSUGI NAVAL AIR FACILITY, Japan — February is Black History Month.

March marks Women’s History Month. In May, it’s Asian Pacific Islander Month. And a September-October period celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

That’s a lot of time and resources spent on observances — which is what prompted Atsugi Naval Air Facility’s command to consolidate all ethnic recognitions into one annual festival-type celebration.

“It will be an all-encompassing event,” said Brian Naranjo, an Atsugi spokesman. “We want to take observances that the nation sets aside for all ethic groups to celebrate the melting pot that is America.”

Naranjo said the events are being grouped to better utilize base resources.

“The command wanted to find a way to enhance recognition of people’s diversity,” he said. “Rather than have a whole series of events every month that are scattered, we’re focusing on one no-holds barred event with booths, displays, dances, anything you can imagine.”

A planning committee of representatives from every command on base, and from as many different ethnic groups as possible, is being formed, Naranjo said.

“Bottom line is the committee and other participants decide what to make of it,” Naranjo said.

Individual commands and groups on base can still hold their own observances, he said.

“The command fully supports that,” Naranjo added. “The community will get out of it what they put into it. … It’s very important that there are representatives from every cultural background. We need the people of all the backgrounds that represent America and represent NAF Atsugi to make this the best we can.”

The committee’s first meeting is slated for sometime next month. So far, there are no plans for the observance’s shape or form, Naranjo said, but it is envisioned as a single, daylong event.

That’s a significant amount of time, he said: “Most base events usually last about an hour. They’ll hold a luncheon and it’s over. This will be something significantly more.”

Base residents appeared generally receptive.

“It’s a good idea because of the racial diversity you can find on this base,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Baker of Atsugi’s Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment. “It wouldn’t be bad to have everybody get together to have a good time.”

“It’s all about diversity,” agreed Petty Officer 1st Class Uries Anderson, assigned to VFA-27. “So many different ethnic backgrounds getting together, getting a chance to learn from each other, that’s something I think is important.”

But both also said any such celebration should be tempered with consideration for what’s important to members of each culture. “As long as everyone is represented and respected,” it will work out fine, Anderson said.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Dat Do, from Atsugi’s supply department, endorsed the idea but said more than one day should be used for the observance.

“I’m not sure one day will cover it,” he said. “It will depend on what people want to do to highlight their heritage.

“Everybody’s culture is different. One day to me seems kind of short.”

For more information, call the public affairs office at 264-4455.