On Memorial Day in New York, the Chinese American Veterans Association leads a parade in Chinatown, carrying American flags and banners representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, veterans, and more. Rain or shine, the procession goes on without fail. This Memorial Day, on May 27th, nearly a hundred Chinese American veterans, their families, New York state legislators, city council members, Republic of China diplomatic officials, gathered at the Lt. Bleecker Square named after a Chinese American Air Force member who sacrificed for democracy and freedom over the past century.
Chairman of the Chinese American Veterans Association in New York, Thomas Ong, emphasized the importance of passing down the tradition of the Memorial Day parade through generations. He stressed the need for future generations to remember and honor the sacrifices of American soldiers, who could have been someone’s father or husband.
Tony Chuy, Chairman of the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and former president of the Veterans Association, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, highlighted the brutal nature of war. He mentioned the significant number of casualties in wars like World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War, underscoring the sacrifices made for freedom and democracy.
Chuy further pointed out the importance of honoring the fallen heroes and expressing gratitude to the servicemen and women currently serving both domestically and abroad. The event was attended by past chairpersons of the Chinese American Veterans Association like Wendy Wang, Kenneth Wong, and Timothy Ng, along with affiliated organizations such as the Women’s Association and Sons of Veterans, showing their support.
New York State Assemblyman Lester Chang, a Navy veteran who served in the Afghanistan War, highlighted the daily struggles faced by veterans, citing the alarming suicide rate among former servicemen. He emphasized the need for continuous support and care for veterans’ physical and mental well-being.
Councilman Christopher Marte emphasized that Memorial Day is not just a day of remembrance but also a reflection of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women globally. He pledged his support for veterans in the City Council, ensuring funding for their welfare. Police Captain Tao Chen urged the public to pay respects to the fallen American soldiers on Memorial Day rather than solely focusing on leisure activities like barbecuing.
During the final stages of World War II, over 13,000 Chinese Americans served in the Army or Army Air Forces, despite the relatively small population of Chinese in the continental U.S. and Hawaii at the time. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943, allowing Chinese Americans to naturalize through military service.
In World War II, the Republic of China, as an ally of the United States, formed the “American Volunteer Group,” famously known as the “Flying Tigers,” to support the anti-Japanese efforts in the Pacific Theater.
At the event, Deputy Director Zhang Lixian of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York expressed solidarity with the Chinese American Veterans Association in honoring the unique and significant contributions of Chinese American soldiers. He emphasized the shared values of peace, freedom, and democracy between Taiwan and the United States.
Descendant of Chinese WWII hero General Wu Kangjian, engineer Jene Wu, participated in the parade, holding the American flag. He stressed the importance of remembering the bravery of the Chinese forces who fought against Japan during WWII, preventing unnecessary casualties on the American side. Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women from different cultural backgrounds who united to defend freedom and peace.