2024 January Newsletter

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

Legion Year 23 – 24 Newsletter No. 3

紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊

WWW.LTKIMLAU.COM

January, 2024

Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友：

We sincerely hope the Holiday Season brings everyone good health and happiness. As we approach the New Year, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones; may your home be filled with comfort, peace, and happiness. The Lunar New Year is right around the corner and we wish you and your families a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year, the year of the Dragon.

In September, our member James Hendon, Commissioner of New York City Department of Veterans Services reached out to Adjutant Gabe Mui for information on a WWII Veteran named Wing O. Hom.  Hom, who was previously reported missing in action, has finally been accounted for using advanced anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The heartwarming story of Pvt. Wing O. Hom unfolded in a most unbelievable way. Ken Hom, the nephew of Pvt. Wing O. Hom, posted a Memorial Day tribute on Instagram in 2019 that turned out to be the most important connection to identifying his long lost uncle and the eventual return of his remains to his loved ones. Pvt. Hom went missing in February 1944 during a fierce battle in Italy. Despite tireless efforts to locate him, his body remained unrecovered and he was tragically never reported as a prisoner of war. Pvt. Hom was declared deceased in February 1945. In 2021, a set of remains, initially unidentified and found near the hamlet of Ponte Rotto, was laid to rest at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy. In a remarkable turn of events, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) historian exploring unresolved losses during the Italian campaign suggested a possible connection to Pvt. Wing O. Hom and these remains were exhumed and sent for analysis in 2021.

For two fruitless years, the DPAA historian was working on any leads to find the family of Pvt. Wing O. Hom when he saw the nephew’s post on Instagram that eventually led to reuniting the family. Pvt. Hom’s remains were interred in Brooklyn, New York, on October 11th, 2023. This touching moment finally united Pvt. Hom with his beloved family, resting beside his father, mother and brother at the Evergreen Cemetery.

A large contingent of Kimlau Post members led by Commander Ong attended the memorial service, which was conducted by Adjutant Gabe Mui and Chaplain Phil Eng.  Veterans from Boston Chinatown Post 328, Seattle Cathay Post 398 and active military personnel came to pay their respects. One by one, members and veterans alike saluted the casket. Commissioner of Boston Department of Veterans Service (Pvt. Hom enlisted in the U.S. Army as a resident of Boston), Commissioner James Hendon, New York State Assemblywoman Grace Lee, Assemblyman Lester Chang and New York City Councilman Christopher Marte were all also in attendance.

Our Post also attended the 12^th anniversary commemoration ceremony of PVT Danny Chen’s death at the corner of Canal Street and Elizabeth Street where the street was co-named Danny Chen Way. Post members joined the Chinatown community and participated in the Republic of China Double Ten Parade in Chinatown. Post, Auxiliary and SAL members attended the Corky Lee Street co-naming ceremony at the corner of Mott Street and Mosco Street. Corky served as Vice Commander and two terms as Commander in the SAL Squadron 1291. He also is a well-known community activist and photojournalist. He organized the recreation of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad by Chinese workers ceremony in Utah and worked tirelessly on the WWII Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Project.

In November, the Post hosted the annual Veteran’s Day Parade on November 5^th instead of the traditional November 11^th to accommodate members who wished to participate in “America’s Parade” hosted by the United War Veterans on Fifth Avenue. It was a great honor to have 50 Midshipmen from the Naval Academy, members of the Academy’s Chinese Cultural Club, participate in our parade in Chinatown. They have been participating in our Post Veteran’s Day parade for the past eight years. Also for the first time, 10 Army Cadets from the West Point Academy and 10 cadets from the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut participated in the parade. We are grateful for their participation and hope the friendship we have built over the year will continue. The Thanksgiving party was held on November 17^th in the Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium where 130 Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion members, family and friends attended and enjoyed the holiday meal. The attendance was down compared to previous years but the festive mood was still felt throughout the event.

For the third consecutive year, the Post Color Guard led the American Legion contingent in “America’s Parade” hosted by the United War Veterans on Fifth Avenue on Veterans Day. While we were happy and proud that our Color Guard unit had the opportunity to showcase in the parade, we felt the largest and most active Legion Post in New York County should not be scrambling at the last minute to assemble a color guard unit that consisted of one active military member and one SAL member. The Lt. Kimlau Post color guard unit has a long and proud history of serving our community. They not only are an essential part of our annual Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day Parade, they also participate in numerous community functions. They have received much praise and are widely recognized as the best color guard unit in New York County. But many in the color guard unit are of advanced age and we desperately need our younger members to step up and carry on this proud tradition. The Post realizes the cost of the color guard uniform is substantial; a reimbursement program to offset the cost has been instituted for many years. If you are interested in joining this proud and patriotic unit, please contact Post Headquarters for more information.

Our scholarship program has been a great success over the years and the academic achievements of our children and grandchildren should be a great source of pride for all of us. Since the scholarship program was revived in 2005, we have awarded over 250 scholarships to children and grandchildren of our members.

We sincerely thank the families of Maj. Stanley Lee and Bock Lee Moy for making donations to create scholarships in memory of our long time members. We also want to thank our member Dung Hon Leung for his continuing support of the Post scholarship program by donating a total of $7,000 over the last five years. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage members and member’s progeny for higher education. The “Maj. Stanley Lee Memorial Scholarship” of $1,000, is in its fifth year of a ten-year program and was awarded to Nicole Hom, Daughter of Wayne Hom.  The “Bock Lee Moy Memorial Scholarship” of $1,000 was awarded to Chance Yan, son of Lap Yau Yan and the “Dung Hon Leung Scholarship” of $1,000 was awarded to Malia Kaiser, granddaughter of Richard Shin.

We were pleased to hand out the above awards, as well as the Post Scholarship awards (equal to $700 each) to fifteen well deserving recipients during the recent Post annual Christmas party. We would like to congratulate them all on their outstanding achievement and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. We also handed out one Robert S. Wong Chinese Study Scholarship Award to Preston Hom. The award recipient completed a certified course in Chinese Study. Please note that the post has revised the scholarship application period to allow students to submit their scholarship applications from January 1^st to August 31^st.

我們衷心祝福節日帶給大家健康和幸福。 值此新年來臨之際，我們向您和您的親人致以最誠摯的祝福； 願您的家充滿舒適、平安和幸福。農歷新年將至，在此謹祝大家心想事成，身體健康，家庭和睦，生活愉快，龍年行好運。新的一年帶來了新的希望，亦帶來了興奮的心情來迎接今年忙碌的挑戰。

紐約市退伍軍人事務處處長詹姆斯、漢頓，他亦是本會會員，在九月聯繫幹事梅本立詢問對一名二次世界大戰軍人譚阿勇家屬資料，此前曾有報導他服役於二次世界大戰時失蹤。但在現時利用先進的技術線粒體分析下鑒定是二次世界大戰失蹤已久的譚阿勇。這個感人及令人難以置信的故事竟然是因為在一個非常偶然的情況下發生，譚阿勇的姪子譚鎮強在二零一九年國殤紀念日在社交平台上發佈一段對對戰士們致敬的言詞，終於成為尋找譚阿勇家屬的最重要關鍵而引至他失散已久的叔叔遺體歸還其家人。

譚阿勇在二次世界大戰期間一九四四二月在意大利一場激烈戰爭中失蹤，儘管美國軍方不懈地努力尋找，不但找不到譚阿勇的遺體亦從未被報導為戰俘，但在毫無信息下美國軍方在一九四五二月宣布譚阿勇已經殉國。但在二零二一這個未了結的故事發生了新的拆，在意大利潘特羅托附近發現了一組最初認為身份不明的遺骸安葬在意大利西西星美軍墳埸，國防部戰俘澄計局決定這些遺骸於二零二一將這些遺骸挖掘出來並利用最先進的技術分析，最終鑒定這很可能是譚阿勇的遺體。

國防部戰俘澄計局調查員費盡心思尋找譚阿勇家屬兩年來亳無進展，在失望之餘無意中發現社交平台上譚阿勇姪子對二次世界大戰軍人致敬言詞而引至其家人團聚。譚阿勇於二零二三年十月十一日安葬紐約市布魯克林的長青墳場，得與其父親，母親及兄弟身邊安息。

當日近二十位本會會員在鄧業主席帶領下參加並由梅本立幹事及伍沃欽宗教主任主持的追悼儀式，遠在波士頓及西雅圖的華裔退伍軍人會也派員前來弔唁。一眾退伍軍人魚貫向靈柩行禮，以表敬意。波士頓退伍軍人事務處處長，紐約市退伍軍人事務處處長詹姆斯、享漢頓，紐約州眾議員李榮恩，鄭永佳及紐約市議員馬替也參加追悼典禮。

本會會員參加在十月初在華埠堅尼路及伊利沙白街街角舉辦的陳宇暉逝世十二週年紀念。依往年一樣，本會參加中華民國雙十國慶遊行。眾多本會會員，婦女會會員及子弟部會員參加在莫斯高街舉行的命名李揚國街儀式。李揚國是子弟部會員並先後擔任了子弟部副主席及曾任兩屈子弟部主席。他也是一位活躍於社區並參與多項對華人不公平的示威活動及著名攝影記者。他曾在猶他州重組早年中國工人建築美國橫貫大陸鐵路的儀式，並辛勤於籌劃第二次世界大戰美國華裔退伍軍人金章法案。

在十一月五日本會舉辦退伍軍人節遊行，今年遊行隊伍中包括由馬里蘭州海軍軍官學校的中文文化交流學會的五十名學員，他們已是連續八年派員參與本會軍人節遊行。同時今年更幸得十名就讀於西點軍校的中文文化交流學生及由康州國防軍中文文化交流學生前來參加遊行，並受到本會熱情款待，希望過去數年建立的友誼繼續下去。每年一度的感恩節午餐聚會在十一月十七日本會二樓伍覺長董事長禮堂舉行，有一百三十會員及親朋參加，今年參加感恩節人數比往年減少，但會員及親朋亦享受了豐富的節日午餐。

非常榮幸本會儀仗隊繼過去三年一樣受到紐約州總會委派再一次帶領在曼哈頓五大道由紐約退伍軍人同盟會主辦的美國軍人節遊行退伍軍人節遊行隊伍先行。當我們感到非常慶幸及自豪得到這良好的機會在大型遊行中展示本會儀仗隊，但與此同時，常被認為是紐約縣最大，最活躍的退伍軍人會不應該在最後時刻匆忙組成所需的隊員，其隊伍並含一名現役軍人及子弟部成員。擁有悠久歷史及向來是本會引以為榮的儀仗隊不但是每年本會舉辦的國殤日遊行及軍人節遊行的重要份子，而且這一隊威風凜凜及步履整齊的儀仗隊更是紐約縣公認的帥哥隊伍，他們對於服務社區更是不遺餘力。只可惜近年已現青黃不接的狀況，隊員們多已年及花甲，極需年青一輩會員補充，繼續為本會儀仗隊發揚光大。本會為減輕新隊員購買昂貴的儀仗隊制服，早已設定補助措施。如你有意參加為儀仗隊成員，請向本會辦公室詢問詳情。

本會設立多年的獎學金得到非常成功的效果，會員的兒孫學業有成，使本會感到欣慰，同時亦向樂於資助本會獎學金的會員及家屬致萬分感謝。

本會非常感謝李飛揚家人和Saunders家人及梅百里家人捐款設立「紀念獎學金」，同時亦非常感謝本會會員梁雲從在過去五年共捐款七千元設立「梁雲從獎學金」，頒發給成績優異的學生，以鼓勵會員及其子弟勤奮向學，力求上進。為期十年每年一千元的「Maj. Stanley G. Y. Lee少校紀念獎學金」頒發給譚超然女兒譚蕙心，一千元的「梅百里紀念獎學金」頒發給頒發給甄立猷兒子，一千元的「梁雲從獎學金」頒發給單志然孫女。

本會在今年聖誕節聚餐時除了頒發上述的「獎學金」外，同時亦頒發本會設立每年七百元的獎學金給十五名成績優異的學生，希望他們繼續努力向學。本會並頒發「司徒旺中國文化獎學金」給一名成功地讀畢中文有關的課程。並請注意本會獎學金申請期間為由一月一日開始至八月三十一日截止。

1. Post Activities 會務

The following motions were approved during the October 1, 2023 General Meeting:

二零二三年十月十一日第二次會員大會通過下列議案:

1. Approved participation in the community “Double-Ten” parade.

通過參加雙十節遊行。

1. Approved to hold the Post Veterans Day Parade on November 5, 2023.

通過本年度軍人節遊行在十一月五日舉行。

1. Approved to the Post Staff’s recommendation of adjusting the Post Color Guards reimbursement for participating in the Post parades. Uniform cleaning increase to $15 from the current $10, they also eligible to receive replacement of the white uniform shirt after 15 times of services and replacement of a pair of white gloves after 10 times of services. All Post members including color guards will continue to receive $10 for participating in Post parades effective October 1, 2023.

通過行政小組建議由二零二三年十月一日開始調整儀仗隊制服清潔費用由目前十元增加到十五元，如分別參加遊行滿十五次並有資格換取一件新白衣制服，十次則有資格換取白手套一雙。本會會員參加遊行仍繼續領取十元補助。

2. News/Announcement/Gossip 其他消息

Please note the Lunar New Year banquet ticket for Legion members this year is $20, Post 1291 officers and past commanders ticket is $10.

1. The Post lunar year 4721 New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 6 pm at the House of Joy Restaurant (28 Pell Street).  Anyone who wishes to attend must register with the Chinese Secretary from Monday January 8, 2024 to Sunday January 21, 2024 between 2 – 4 pm daily.  Dinner tickets are limited. Eligibility and cost for the dinner are as follow –

• Members with 2024 membership card – one $20 ticket each.

• Companion ticket $20.00 each – limited to one per 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 celebration if they are not qualified based on the above requirement. Cost is $20.00 and maximum 2 tickets each.  Must show your 2024 Auxiliary or SAL membership card when register.

請注意：本會會員本年度團年餐券每張二十元，本會職員及前任主席每張十元。

本會農歷年除夕聚餐定於二零二四年一月二十八日星期日下午六時假座華埠喜運來大酒樓舉行，歡迎本會會員及眷屬踴躍參加，請於下列時間（二零二四年一月八日（星期一）至二零二四年一月二十一日（星期日），每日下午二時至四時）向本會書記處報名，領取農歷年聚餐餐券，先到先得，賣完即止。報名辦法如下﹕

一）凡本會會員憑二零二四年會員證報名者，餐券二十元一張，職員及前任主席十元一張。

二）凡本會會員憑二零二四年會員證報名者，可另購買二十元伴侶券一張。

三）凡已經參加本會婦女會及軍人子弟部者，如欲參加本會農歷年聚餐，但又不適合上述二項報名辦法者亦可購買餐券，每張二十元，每人以兩張為限。請憑二零二四年會員證報名。

1. The 2023 Lt. B. R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291 Scholarship Award winners are (本會獎學金得獎人名單如下):

Nicole Hom (譚蕙心) – daughter of Wayne Hom (譚超然女兒)

Chance Yan – son of Lap Yau Yan (甄立猷兒子)

Malia Kaiser – granddaughter of Richard Shin (單志然孫女)

Katelin Chen – daughter of Bo Chen (陳波女兒)

Nicholas Gee (son of Benny Gee 兒子)

Spencer Hom – grandson of Chuck Hom (譚卓滋孫子)

Ashley Jew – granddaughter of Wah C. Jew (趙華昌孫女)

Luke Kaiser – grandson of Richard Shin (單志然孫子)

Bryant Lee – son of Sam Lee (李樹賢兒子)

Eric Lee – grandson of John M. Wong (黃俊民孫子)

Kaity Lee – daughter of Brain Lee (李錦源女兒)

Philip Ma – son of John Ma (馬裕材兒子)

Medeline Murnin – granddaughter of Richard Shin (單志然孫女)

Sara Ng – granddaughter of Jack Y. F. Ng (伍福源孫女)

Aiden Wong – son of Henry Wong (黃偉生兒子)

Anna Wu (伍瑋菌) – daughter of Jai Ming Wu (伍家明女兒)

Jeffrey Wu (伍永曦) – son of Jai Ming Wu (伍家明兒子)

Ricky Yu – son of De Zhi Yu (余德志兒子)

The 2023 Robert S. Wong Chinese Study Scholarship Award winner is (司徒旺中國文化獎學金得獎人): Preston Hom – grandson of Chuck Hom (譚卓滋孫子).

Congratulations to all the winners在此恭祝各得獎者百尺竿頭，更進一步.

1. Members who joined from January 18, 2004 to January 17, 2017 are eligible to apply for Chinese American Veterans Memorial Building Committee (CAVMBC) membership. Please stop by our Post Headquarter between the hours of 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm to obtain the application form.

會員在二零零四年一月十八日至二零一七年一月十七日加入本會者可申請成為華裔美國退伍軍人實業公司成員，請親臨本會索取申請表格（辦公時間，每日下午二時至四時）。

1. We are currently at 58% renewal in membership which is lack behind the Department goal of 75% at this time. Please renew as soon as possible so we can achieve 100% membership. Members can remit the $25.00 membership dues by mail or in person.

現尚有近半的會員尚未繳交二零二三年至二零二四年會員費，請該等會員儘快將二十五元會費以郵寄方式或親臨本會繳交（辦公時間，每日下午二時至四時）。

3. Taps 仙逝會員

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

May Our Comrades Rest In Peace!

4. New/Transfer Members 新入會會員

There were six new members approved by the last General meetings

二三年至二四年第二次會員大會通過接納下列六位新入會會員：

Please join us to welcome the above new member.  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，能得到你參予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

Thomas Ong  鄧燦業

Sean Tse  謝國寶, Kenneth Wong  黃建中, De Zhi Yu  余德志,

Gabe B. Mui  梅本立, Howard Chin  陳煥寧

David Lam  林善群, Wan Y. Tam  譚煥瑜