The Taiwan Veterans Affairs Commission officer stationed in the United States, General Ni Bangchen, visited Los Angeles on Saturday, April 20th. A welcoming banquet hosted by the Los Angeles Glory Association was held in his honor. General Ni expressed his gratitude to the various organizations that support Taiwan and patriotic activities, encouraging them to continue raising the flag of the Republic of China on important occasions to demonstrate loyalty and respect to the country.
General Ni’s visit aimed to report progress on the establishment of a monument commemorating the “WWII fallen soldiers” to local veterans and to hear a detailed report from the Los Angeles Glory Association on their support for patriotic activities within the overseas community in 2023.
Over the past two years, General Ni has been advocating for the establishment of a monument for 52 Air Force officers and soldiers who were trained and perished in Texas, USA during World War II. The unveiling of this monument is scheduled for September 3rd this year at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, with financial support from the National Glory Association of the United States.
Chairwoman Shen Luxi reported on the activities organized by the Los Angeles Glory Association over the past year, including the 50-year tradition of the Air Force Dapeng Association’s double Tenth National Day flag-raising ceremony, the annual tribute event of the “China-US WWII Memorial” organized by the Chinese Universities Alumni Association in Mong City, and the grand double Tenth National Day flag-raising ceremony held by the California Taiwan Compatriots Association and major university alumni associations in Barnes Park and Orange County. These activities not only strengthen the overseas community’s identification with the Republic of China but also demonstrate the efforts of the overseas Chinese community in cultural heritage and international cooperation. General Ni commended these achievements and encouraged further events to enhance the connection between the overseas community and the motherland.
General Ni expressed his gratitude to the various organizations that participate in and support activities promoting the Republic of China. He stated that these activities not only enhance the patriotic spirit of overseas compatriots towards the Republic of China but also encourage more support and participation. He encouraged these organizations to continue raising the Republic of China flag on important days such as Martyrs’ Day and Veterans’ Day to show loyalty and respect to the country. In addition to expressing gratitude, Zhang Jiaoren, President of the Los Angeles Glory Association, also expressed his hope that future activities would further increase the visibility of the Republic of China internationally.
Air Force Association Chairman Wang Jinghua brought along his collection of cigarette cards of historical significance from the resistance war era. These cigarette cards are not just collectibles but also a part of China’s anti-war history, reflecting a facet of the society’s culture and military life at that time.
The invited overseas organizations attending the banquet included the Army Association, Navy Association, Air Force Dapeng Association, Southern California Fuxing Hill Association, Chinese Universities Alumni Association in California, Taiwan Compatriots Association in California, National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, and National Chengchi University Alumni Associations, Southern California Huangpu Family and Friends Association, as well as the Chinese Flag Team.