2022 April Newsletter


 

 

American Legion Lt. B. R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291, Inc.

Legion Year 21 – 22 Newsletter No. 4

紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊

April, 2022

 

Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友:

We want to thank our members and their families for joining us at the lunar New Year Eve celebration at House of Joy Restaurant. We hope the year of the Tiger brings everyone good health and prosperity. Due to the surge of Omicron at the end of last year, fewer members and their families were able to enjoy the dinner. Unlike previous years when we would need two separate restaurants to accommodate close to 800 members and their families.

Commander’s Message:

As we now enter the spring season, it is a good opportunity for us to take stock of what we have accomplished as we transition from a winter filled with uncertainty as the Pandemic continued to rage and then gradually subsided with restrictions becoming less severe.

Although the mid-Winter conference had to be cancelled, we conducted our Executive and general meetings in person in January with good attendance. On February 1, 2022 representatives of our Post attended the Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by the CCBA and heard from government and community leaders including Mayor Eric Adams who wished all in attendance a healthy and prosperous Year of the Tiger.

Post 1291 has been an active participant in the Chinatown Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), a program sponsored by New York State, which seeks to revitalize Manhattan Chinatown as a cultural destination with a view toward building an economic engine driven by arts and culture. Among the many goals of the program is the rebuilding of Chinatown’s economic base by attracting tourists while also improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors alike.

New York State has earmarked twenty million dollars for infrastructure related projects to accomplish the objectives of the DRI. One of the cultural anchors identified is Kimlau Square, the site upon which our Kimlau Memorial Arch is located. It is slated to become a meeting point that would be expanded, renovated and transformed into the “Columbus Circle of Lower Manhattan” as imagined by the DRI. We will keep a close eye on these developments to assure that the Arch and its surroundings are restored and improved as an important symbol of our community.

An important program that is receiving the support of our Post is SAR, which stands for Suicide Awareness & Remembrance. Members Derek Mei and Wilem Wong have been heavily involved in promoting the immediate goals of SAR, which are:

  • Advancing a Resolution within the American Legion to adopt the SAR flag to encourage Congress to raise awareness of the high suicide rate (22 per day) among veterans and to facilitate suicide prevention and mental health treatment.

  • Adoption of the SAR flag nationally to fly with the National Ensign and the POW/MIA flag.

  • Officially recognize September 22 as an annual observance by the American Legion as “Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day” to raise awareness of suicide by active duty members and veterans and to encourage respect to their memory and support for their families.

On March 13, 2022, a presentation was made by Fred Nielsen, chaplain of the Glenwood Landing Post, to a group of members of our Post about his efforts on many fronts on behalf of the goals of SAR. On March 27, 2022 he was joined by Kevin Hertell, the founder of the SAR movement in an expanded presentation at our Post.

We will be participating in a SAR flag raising event on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:45 AM at the Glenwood Landing Post, 190 Glen Head Rd, Glen Head, NY 11545 to further advance public awareness of suicide among active/retired members of the armed services.

Please join your comrades in participating in upcoming events including our Memorial Day Observance, the election and installation of officers for the next legion year, and our Annual Picnic.

By Commander Hon. Randall Eng

It is hard to believe that our community is going through the most difficult time we have ever endured. With crime rising out of control and especially the Asian Hate crime going rampant in the city, it seems no one is safe. To make matters worse, a mega jail and the proposed additional five homeless and drug rehab shelters to the exiting five shelters to make a total of ten in a small geographic area is gravely damaging to our community. Government policies and the war in Ukraine have created historic inflation that has surpassed the record set 40 years ago. Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic we have been dealing with for more than two years has subsided and everyone is starting to feel a sense of normalcy, we are now learning that the Omicron variant, BA.2 is on the rise. Hope everyone stays vigilant and remains safe and healthy.

We are happy to inform you that Certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor Wilem Wong, Executive Committeeman of our Post, is offering a MHFA education session to our members and families which aims to teach the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse challenges or crises. Each training session is led by two certified MHFA instructors that will facilitate the learning experience by having each participant examine mental health concerns through their own lenses as an individual, family member, neighbor, or peer. Please see the complete details concerning this training enclosed. The first session is tentatively scheduled on June 18th. RSVP to confirm your attendance is required by June 10th.

Post leadership attended the Journey Wall Unveiling Ceremony at Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) honoring Major General William S. Chen, U.S. Army Retired and Ed Gor, National Director of Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project on April 1st. As we have reported in our last newsletter, the Chinese-American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal presentation ceremony for New York area veterans and their families finally took place on December 18, 2021. Our Post has tried to reach the descendants of our WWII members over the past three years and notify them to register to receive their Congressional Medal. Even with that all-out effort, we have been receiving many inquiries that families of our members either had missed the May 31st deadline to register for the medal or were not able to attend the ceremony held at Dr. Sun Yet-Sen Middle School in Chinatown. For the members who were not able to attend the presentation in New York but registered, we were told they could still receive the medal from Chinese American Citizen Alliance (CACA) by covering the shipping and handling costs.

New York Department leadership Commander Frank LaMarsh, Auxiliary President Mary Farley along with Detachment Commander David Lee visited New York County on March 26th. The day started with a welcoming breakfast in Chinatown and attending the Vietnam Day Ceremony. Our Post arranged a very special reception for the Department Leadership with traditional lion dances at the Post Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium, which was well received. The Department Commander Testimonial Dinner was held at House of Joy Restaurant later that evening. The Testimonial Dinner honoring National Commander Paul E. Dillard was held on April 15th at Antun’s in Queens. Our Post was well represented with over thirty members and family attending.

We are delighted to announce the scholarship awards have been expanded from the existing twelve awards to fifteen awards, and the scholarship amount awarded from $500.00 to $700.00 per scholarship for a total of $10,500.00 annually in addition to any memorial scholarships from members’ donations. Please note that in order to make it easier for students to arrange for transcripts to be sent to us while they are still in school the post has revised the scholarship application period.  The scholarship application submission period will now be from January 1st to August 31st.

本會非常感謝各位會員及眷屬參加本年度在喜運來酒樓舉行的團年晚宴,祝各位虎年快樂,身體健康。今次團年宴會因為新冠疫情在去年年底仍然非常嚴峻,僅一百多會員及親友參加宴會,比往年近八百會員及親友而且分設兩家酒樓舉辦,共聚一堂迎接新年的場面迥然不同。

主席報告

春天巳來臨,令我不自禁地回憶過去數月的成就及感慨,數月來疫情由嚴峻到現在巳明顯地逐漸緩和,一些平常生活的限制亦因而消退。

雖然今年紐約州總會的冬季會議因疫情擴散而取消,但本會活動如執行委員會及會員大會仍如期舉行,而且出席人數也頗為踴躍。本會各職員也參加了在二月一日農曆新年中華公所舉辦的慶祝典禮,紐約市長亞當斯在活動演說中祝各與會人士新年快樂,身體健康及虎年行好運。

自紐約州長胡楚宜布撥出二千萬元協助紐約華埠及下城各區經濟復興計劃後,由紐約區長為首而成立了華埠下城復興委員會,本會是成員之一及積極參與一切有關重建華埠成為紐約市以文化,藝術,經濟及旅遊的重要發展策略。在各社區團體各項議題中一項是將劉錦廣場改造成可與中城馳名的哥倫市廣場相比的地點。但本會最關注的是這復興計劃必須包括修正或重建劉錦忠烈坊在內,忠烈坊不但是華埠重要性的建築物,亦是紐約市唯一的以華人為主的富有歷史意義的地標。

本會極力支持另一個非常重要的活動是由長島格蘭活三三六退伍軍人會宗教主任佛列、尼遜提出的輕生,警悟及懷念旗幟,始創人凱文、赫特爾發動以這旗幟飄揚全國每一個組織及最終目的能被國會認同及懸掛在國會大樓,與大眾認識的戰俘及失蹤的同袍旗幟在一起。我們須要知道每日都有二十二位退伍軍人輕生,我們應盡力提高對退伍軍人高輕生率的認識,促進預防輕生和心理健康治療。本會巳推動及與紐約郡美國退伍軍人會合作將通過議案支持,希望所有美國退伍軍人會接納及採用輕生,警悟及懷念旗幟的議案,這議案將會遞交紐約州總會及全國總會。本會亦將在四月二十三日上午十時三十分參加在格蘭活三三六退伍軍人會舉辦的首次升輕生,警悟及懷念旗幟,以進一步提高公眾對現役及退役軍人輕生意識。希望大家能參加本會未來的各項活動包括職員提名,選舉及在七月舉行的郊遊。

主席伍元天啟。

我們正處於令人難以置信的生活困難時期,隨著犯罪率飆升已到了近乎失控,近期頻頻在我們社區發生的仇亞事件猖獗,似乎已經沒有任何人感到安全。更糟糕的是,一座大型摩天監獄及增設五個遊民及戒毒收容所已經通過建造或在計劃建造在華埠這個彈丸之地,試問這一個小區域怎可以共建十個收容所,這對我們的社區造成嚴重的損害。近期政府推行的政策及烏克蘭戰爭造成了歷史性通貨膨脹,已超過了四十年前創下的紀錄。當我們正感到在這兩年來痛苦忍受新冠病毒開始緩和及可以回復正常生活,豈知現在新冠亞型變種病毒又開始擴散。希望大家提高警惕,保持平安健康。

非常感謝本會執行委員黃伯聰設立免費為本會會員及親朋教導心理健康治療班,黃伯聰是執照導師。教育課程旨在理解和應對心理健康及明遼藥物濫用及其危機的跡象。每個課程都由兩名執照導師教授導,每一個參與者都可以學到自我監測自身的心理狀態。課程內容及詳細資料可參閱附件。第一課暫定在六月十八日舉辦,請在六月十日前與本會預約。

本會職員在四月一日參加美國華人博物館表揚陳紹章退伍少將及第二次世界大戰退伍軍人國會金章計劃,特別舉辦為他們鑄制的名人牌揭幕儀式。本會在過去三年用盡辦法通知曾參與第二次世界大戰的會員及其家屬在美國同源設備的網站報名領取他們應得的國會金章,但仍有一些會員沒有在今年五月三十一日截止前報名。本會與同源會洽商後獲知這些會員仍可向同源會領取金章,但需以郵寄方式亦必須加付郵費及管理費。

紐約州美國退伍軍人會主席,婦女會主席及子弟部主席在三月二十六日聯同拜訪紐約郡美國退伍軍人會,本會各職員示參加歡迎紐約州總會高層領導各項節目,早上陪同他們參加越戰退伍軍人日的各項儀式及在越戰退伍軍人紀念碑獻花致敬。中午特別為總會主席團在本會二樓伍覺良董事長禮堂設有醒師助興,極受歡迎,晚上在華埠喜運來酒樓舉行主席聯歡晚宴並聆聽總會主席團述說他們今年的行政策略。本會職員,會員及婦女會會員共三十五位在四月十五日參加在皇后區舉辦的歡迎美國退伍軍人總會主席聯歡晚宴,場面熱鬧,氣氛嚴肅靜聽主席致辭。

好消息,本會通過擴張獎學金名額及獎金,將由現時的十二得獎名額增至十五名,並增加每份獎學金由五百元至七百元,每年頒發獎學金總額為一萬零五百元。此外還有會員捐贈而設立的紀念獎學金。本會為了方便學生申請獎學金,特別修改接受申請獎學金期間改為由一月一日開始至八月三十一日截止。學生可利用仍在上課時間向學校要求將成績表寄到本會,以避免在放假後再向學校索取的煩惱。

  1. Post Activities 會務

The following motions were approved during the January 30, 2022 General Meeting:

本年一月三十日第三次會員大會通過下列各項議案:

  1. Approved to amend the Lt. B. R. Kimlau Post 1291 By-laws.

通過修改本會獎學金章程。

  1. Approved to increase the number of scholarships from 12 to 15, and the amount of award from $500 to $700 for each scholarship.

通過增加現有十二名獎學金,每位五百元至十五名及每位七百元。

  1. Approved the appointment of Chinese Secretary David Lam and Past Commander Mimi Wang to co-chair the annual Picnic Committee; annual picnic to be held on July 31, 2022.

通過委派林善群中文書記及前任主席王咪咪為本年度郊遊小組負責人,本年度郊遊將在七月三十一日舉行。

  1. Approved to purchase the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (S.A.R.) Media Packages to support the S.A.R. Project.

通過支持及購買輕生,警悟及懷念的物品。

  1. Approved to create the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance (S.A.R.) Committee. Members are Commander Randal Eng, Adjutant Gabe Mui, Vice Commander Kenneth Wong, Vice Commander Thomas Ong, Vice Commander Sean Tse, Past Commander Richard Shin, Past Commander Mimi Wang, Past Commander Wing Y. Tam, Past Commander Frank Gee, Executive Committeeman Wilem Wong and Derek Mei.

通過成立輕生,警悟及懷念委員會及由主席伍元天,幹事梅本立,副主席黃建中,副主席鄧燦業,副主席謝國寶,前任主席單志然,前任主席王咪咪,前任主席譚永源,前任主席朱灼輝執行委員黃伯聰及梅冰組成。

  1. News/Announcement 其他消息

 

  1. The 2022 Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 30, 2022.  All members are encourage to participate and should sign-up prior to 12:00 noon that day and be ready to assemble at the corner of Mott Street and Canal Street for march-off on or about 12:30 pm.  Lunch will be served at the House of Joy Restaurant, 28 Pell Street at 2:00 PM. Standard uniform required (Jacket and tie, Legion cap, shoes, no sneaker) to receive the $10 transportation reimbursement.

本年度國殤日遊行,定於五月三十日星期一中午在華埠舉行,參加會員請於該日十二時前到本會書記處登記,十二時半在勿街夾堅尼路集合出發忠烈坊,禮成後於下午二時在華埠披露街“喜運來大酒樓” 午餐。參加遊行者必須記得衣服整齊(穿套裝,結領帶,著皮鞋,戴軍帽)才能領取十元車馬費。

  1. The Legion Year 2022-2023 Post Installation ceremony and banquet will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022.  Installation of officers is scheduled for 4 pm at the Post Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium; follow immediately by the annual banquet at House of Joy Restaurant at 6 pm.  Anyone who wishes to attend the banquet must register with the Chinese Secretary from Monday May 2, 2022 to Sunday, May 15, 2022 (2 – 4 pm daily).  First come first served, with no exceptions.  Eligibility and cost for the banquet are as follow –

  • Members with 2022 membership card and who had made a donation of $15.00 or more – one complimentary

  • Companion ticket $15.00 each – limited to one per eligible member, no exceptions.

  • Members of the Lt. Kimlau American Auxiliary Unit or the Lt. Kimlau Sons of American Legion Squadron are invited to join this banquet if they are not otherwise qualified. Cost is $15.00 per ticket and maximum 2 tickets each.  Please bring your 2022 Auxiliary or SAL membership card.

  • Additional tickets can be purchased beginning May 8, 2022 for $35.00 Maximum of 8 additional tickets per member.

本會二二至二三年職員就職及宴會定於二零二二年六月四日舉行。職員就職典禮定下午四時在本會伍覺良董事長禮堂舉行,宴會定下午六時假華埠喜運來大酒樓舉行,歡迎本會會員及眷屬踴躍參加。宴會餐券請於下列時間(二零二二年五月二日(星期一)至二零二二年五月一五日(星期日),每日下午二時至四時)向本會中文書記處報名,領取職員就職宴會餐券,先到先得,賣完為止。報名辦法如下﹕

一)凡憑二零二二年會員證報名及已奉本會年儀十五元以上者,免費餐券一張。

二)凡憑二零二二年會員證報名者,可另購買伴侶券一張,每張十五元。

三)凡已經參加本會婦女會及軍人子弟部者,如欲參加本會職員就職宴會,但又不適合上述二項報名辦法者,亦可購買餐券,每張十五元,每人以兩張為限。請憑二零二二年會員證報名。

四)會員如欲購買超過二張餐券者,可於五月八日後到會購買,每張三十五元,最多不能超過八張。

  1. Taps 仙逝會員

We are sad to report the following legionnaires have passed on to the Commander of us all post everlasting.

May Our Comrades Rest In Peace!

 

Henyin Eng     伍 廣 強    (Oct 17)

Jack Lum   林 澤 森   (Oct 21)

Lindy Wong     黃 良 佐    (Oct 21)

George Tai     戴 光      (Nov 21)

Dun L. Chin      陳 進 來    (Nov 21)

Ging H. Law     羅 景 慶     (Jan 22)

  1. New/Transfer Members 新入會會員

There were two new members approved by the last General meeting

二零二一年年第三次會員大會通過接納下列一位新入會會員:

Naiqi Yao   姚 乃 綺   (Gulf – Navy)

Michael Mun Lui   廖 曜 文  (Vietnam – Army)

Please join us to welcome the above new members.  Hope to see all of you in future functions.

我們歡迎上述新會友加入我們的行列,更希望他們多參加本會各項活動。

We hope the above information will be of interest to you and we hope to hear from you soon.  Let us know what we can do for you. Until we meet again, stay well!

我們希望這份簡訊,對你有所幫助,更希望在不久的將來,能得到你參與本會各種活動的回應。假如我們有任何可以為你服務之處,務請隨時提出意見。

THE STAFF   本會行政小組

Randall Eng伍元天

Kenneth Wong黃建中, Thomas Ong鄧燦業, Sean Tse謝國寶

Gabe B. Mui 梅本立, Mark Eng伍顯宗

David Lam 林善群, Howard Chin 陳煥寧