The Filipino-American Association of Oak Harbor will mark its 40th anniversary on Easter Sunday, and is inviting the community to join in the celebration.

The group will have its potluck picnic and Easter egg hunt beginning at noon Sunday at the Rocky Point Recreation Area of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

The event is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. Anyone interested can bring a dish to share at the potluck. Children age 12 and under can participate in the Easter egg hunt, which is expected to begin at approximately 1 p.m.

Founded at Rocky Point on Easter Sunday, 1971, the association is a social, non-profit organization. A great many members are active duty or retired military.

“They’re the ones that keep it going,” said president Aida Martin, whose father, Bert Letrondo, was the association’s founder.

Martin’s father, who died last year, retired from the Navy in 1967. He continued to work at NAS Whidbey as a liaison officer until retiring again in 1987. During his time as a liaison officer, Letrondo noticed there were many sailors from the Philippines serving at NAS Whidbey, as well as many active duty men whose wives were Filipino, according to Martin. The association was a way to connect those of the same culture and welcome those of other cultures.

“It’s still about celebrating our diversity,” said Martin.

The Filipino-American Association of Oak Harbor meets at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at the Knights of Columbus on Old Goldie Road. Go to http://filamofoakharbor.org/index.htm for information.