Pan Pacific American Leaders and Mentors Organization (PPALM)

This past weekend marked the annual Bataan Memorial Death March—a powerful tribute to the brave service members who endured the historic Bataan Death March during World War II.

In April 1942, following the fall of Bataan in the Philippines, tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions—facing starvation, exhaustion, and unimaginable hardship. Many did not survive.

Today, this march—held each year in White Sands Missile Range—serves as a living memorial. A way to remember their sacrifice, honor their resilience, and ensure their stories are never forgotten.

Members of the PPALM Board proudly participate in this event each year—not just to walk the miles, but to carry forward the legacy of those who came before us.
We march to remember.
We march to honor.
We march so that we never forget.

🌟 Join the Movement. Lead the Future. 🌟

At Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM), we are a professional network of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders—military and civilian—committed to serving the Nation through leadership, education, mentoring, and fellowship.

Together, we honor the sacrifices of past generations while promoting diversity, advancement, and retention of all leaders.

✨ Why Join PPALM?
✅ Be part of something bigger
✅ Access mentorship & leadership training
✅ Expand your professional network
✅ Celebrate legacy & inspire the future

📩 Learn more and join today: ppalm.org/join-us

🌐 www.ppalm.org
| ✉️ [email protected]

Because in uncertain times, leadership endures—and together, we are stronger.

We are excited to announce the 18th Annual Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM) General Membership Meeting and Dinner!

📅 Sunday, October 12, 2025
🕕 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA

This year’s theme: “Stronger Together: Building Resilience in Times of Change.”

The evening will bring together leaders, mentors, and community members to celebrate tradition, service, and the enduring strength of our shared commitment to diversity, leadership, and mentorship.

🎟️ Tickets: $85 | $25 for Students, Midshipmen, and Cadets
🏨 Special hotel rate available until September 19
👉 RSVP by October 6: ppalm.org/event-6093000

Military Attire: Class A Uniform
Civilian Attire: Business

We look forward to an evening of fellowship, reflection, and inspiration as we continue to serve, mentor, and lead—together.

We’re proud to announce that LTC Michael “Mike” Porges, former Armor Battalion Commander and Active Duty Army Officer, has stepped into a new leadership role as the Chapter President for Fort Irwin, California.

Mike has turned a vision into reality by establishing PPALM’s newest West Coast chapter—a milestone that expands our reach into a region known for its diversity and rich history of military and government service.

He is already hard at work recruiting new members, forming his Chapter’s Board of Advisors, and gathering input on professional development opportunities and in-person events to serve the local community.

Last weekend, Mike had the honor of promoting two of his former CPTs to MAJ in beautiful Monterey, California—calling it an “awesome site to promote two of the Army’s newest majors!”

Congratulations, Mike, on this exciting new chapter—both for you and for PPALM! We look forward to seeing the impact you will make.

We’re excited to introduce our newest PPALM DC Metro member, Christopher Enriquez! Christopher is a junior at George Washington University (GWU), majoring in Information Systems—and he’s already making a remarkable impact in his field and community.

Last year, Christopher worked with the GWU Military and Veterans Services Office, assisting veterans and military-affiliated students in applying their GI Bill and other benefits. This summer, he served as a Team Advisor at Georgetown University, teaching high school students essential leadership and service skills.

Driven by his passion for technology, Christopher founded GWU’s first IT Club, creating a bridge to the IT community and offering members technical skills training and professional development opportunities.

His journey doesn’t stop there—Christopher has accepted a new internship with NeuralSeek, an AI tech company, starting this August. He also works full-time for GWU’s IT Department and is preparing for Career Quest San Francisco, where he’ll tour Silicon Valley giants like Meta, Zoox, and CBS Interactive.

Christopher’s drive, dedication, and leadership are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all that he will accomplish in the future. Welcome to PPALM, Christopher!

🇺🇸 Today, we proudly salute the service, sacrifice, and strength of our nation’s women veterans. 🇺🇸

On this Women Veterans Day, we celebrate the historic signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948—opening the doors for women to serve as permanent members of our U.S. Armed Forces. This landmark moment laid the foundation for the incredible women who have since answered the call to serve with honor, courage, and unwavering dedication.

At Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM), we are especially proud to recognize and thank the outstanding women on our board who have served—and who continue to serve—with distinction. Your leadership lights the way for the next generation and reminds us all of the power of representation, legacy, and service to country.

To all our women veterans across the nation—thank you. Your journey, your bravery, and your commitment are woven into the fabric of our freedom.

🎖️ Strong women. Strong leaders. Forever patriots. 🎖️

Last week, a couple of PPALM members had the honor of attending the **US Army Women’s Foundation Scholarship Award and Hall of Fame Ceremony**, a powerful event celebrating the incredible legacy of service and leadership of women in the Army.

It was a privilege to witness these remarkable women being recognized for their unwavering dedication, trailblazing achievements, and impactful contributions to our nation. Their stories inspire us all to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in every aspect of service and leadership.

We are proud to stand alongside these pioneers and continue supporting and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the military and beyond.

This past weekend, *Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM) hosted a “Meet the Board” Luncheon, bringing together an incredible group of leaders and supporters—some traveling from as far as Princeton, New Jersey, to join us!

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to **mentorship, leadership, and service**. These conversations are essential as we discuss how to best support our community, understand the evolving challenges facing today’s warfighters, and ensure we provide the guidance needed for the next generation of leaders.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this important dialogue. Your dedication and passion inspire us to continue driving forward, together.

📢 **Join the PPALM Board for Lunch!** 🍽️

Come connect, ask questions, and enjoy great food with us on **Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:30 AM** at **LAB No.1 Asian Bistro** in Centreville, VA! 🎉

We’ve reserved tables for a relaxed and engaging lunch—just bring yourself and your appetite!

📍 **Location:** [LAB No.1 Asian Bistro](https://thelabno1.com/)
📅 **Date & Time:** Saturday, March 15 | 11:30 AM
💳 **Note:** This is an individual paid luncheon (each guest covers their own meal).

🔗 **RSVP by March 13:** https://ppalm.org/event-6032956

We’d love to see you there—don’t forget to save your seat! 🙌

Tony Taguba Olivia Nunn Christine Enriquez

**Reconnecting, Rebuilding, and Moving Forward 💪🏽**

This past weekend, the **PPALM Board** did something we haven’t done in a while—we met **in person**. While our monthly Zoom meetings keep us connected, there’s something powerful about coming together, face-to-face, to refocus on what truly matters.

During our time together, we:
✅ Reaffirmed the foundation and by-laws of our organization
✅ Strengthened our **commitment to the military community**
✅ Focused on our mission to lead, mentor, and serve

One thing is certain—our **commitment to leadership and mentorship remains unwavering**. PPALM continues to provide forums, discussions, and a **safe space for those seeking guidance and growth**.

True growth happens when we step beyond the unknown, and we are here to help others do just that. **If you’re looking for mentorship, leadership development, or simply a community that understands your journey—PPALM is here.**

📢 What topics or discussions would you like to see from us this year? Drop a comment below! 👇🏽

Congratulations to MAJ Yohei Sakamoto, 173rd Airborne Brigade Chief of Plans! He recently jumped with Folgore Brigade, earning his Italian Foreign Wings this past December.