2025 April Newsletter

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

Legion Year 24 – 25 Newsletter No. 4

紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊

April, 2025

Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友：

We sincerely apologize to our members who visited our Post during the nearly two-month elevator outage. We understand that the inconvenience, especially for those who had difficulty navigating the stairs, may have caused some members to stop visiting altogether. The planned outage was necessary to modernize our aging infrastructure and ensure a safer, more reliable experience for everyone. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Now that the improvements are complete, we invite you to return and experience the difference firsthand – we look forward to welcoming you back!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members and their families for joining us at the Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration at House of Joy Restaurant. It was truly a joyous occasion to come together and welcome the Year of the Snake with good company, festive spirit, and shared traditions. With nearly 400 Legion family members in attendance, the evening was filled with warmth, laughter, and camaraderie. Despite the challenges posed by New York City’s introduction of congestion pricing – an issue strongly opposed by Lower Manhattan residents – our celebration remained a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our Legion family and embrace the New Year with optimism. We wish everyone a prosperous and healthy Year of the Snake and look forward to more memorable gatherings ahead!

During the Lunar New Year celebrations, the American Legion Lt. Kimlau Post 1291 was deeply honored to receive a citation from Mayor Eric Adams in recognition of its contributions to the community. Additionally, the Post was presented with a proclamation from New York State Assembly Member Grace Lee, the chief sponsor of the legislative initiative to designate Lunar New Year as an official holiday for all New York schools. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine also co-hosted and many elected officials participated in the festivities, reaffirming the city’s commitment to honoring and preserving cultural traditions.

This recognition highlights the Kimlau Post’s unwavering dedication to both the nation and the local community. For decades, the Post has stood as a pillar of service, support, and advocacy. The Kimlau Post extends its heartfelt gratitude for this acknowledgment, which underscores the deep cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year celebrations in New York City.

The entire Kimlau Legion family is proud of Sons of the American Legion member Bradley Chen for his outstanding achievement in this year’s oratorical contest. Bradley secured first place in the New York Zone One competition, earning the opportunity to compete in the New York Department contest, where he achieved an impressive second-place finish and was awarded a $4,000 scholarship.

The oratorical contest is one of the premier programs within the American Legion’s children and youth initiatives. Contestants are required to deliver an 8 to 10-minute oration on a topic related to the U.S. Constitution, showcasing their knowledge, poise, and public speaking skills. Our post has been a strong supporter of this program over the years, and we encourage the high school-aged children of our members to participate. For more information, please contact us.

For over twenty years, we have been deeply concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Lt. Kimlau Memorial. Despite numerous meetings and repeated requests to the New York City Parks and Recreation Department for necessary repairs, our efforts had been unsuccessful. Since the memorial stands on city-owned land, our Post was prohibited from undertaking the repairs ourselves, even though we were willing to fully fund the restoration.

However, two months ago, we were pleased to receive long-awaited good news—the NYC Parks and Recreation Department has finally agreed to restoration of the memorial, with work scheduled to begin this summer. This decision marks a significant step toward preserving this important landmark that honors the legacy of Lt. Benjamin Ralph Kimlau and the sacrifices of Chinese-American veterans.

Although the pending Kimlau Square redesign project may influence the memorial’s final location, we remain optimistic that the renovation will ensure the monument continues to stand as a symbol of remembrance and respect for generations to come. We appreciate the city’s commitment to this effort and look forward to seeing the restoration come to fruition.

Following the overwhelming positive feedback from our last 7-day cruise to Bermuda, as well as numerous requests for another trip, the Post-Summer Outing Committee has decided to organize another cruise this summer! We are excited to announce that we will be sailing on the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas for a 7-day cruise to the Bahamas in September. The itinerary includes departures from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, with stops in Florida, CocoCay (Royal Caribbean’s private island), and Nassau, Bahamas. To make things easier, transportation to and from Cape Liberty will be arranged. As of our last cruise, we are once again working with Travel Agent Carrie Chen from Five Star Travel, located at 98 Mott Street, New York, NY 10013. You can reach her at 212-625-8107 to book your cruise. When making your reservation, please mention that you are from our Post. Keep in mind that prices may increase if you delay your booking, so we encourage you to secure your spot as soon as possible. Additionally, you must inform the Post of your booking details to be eligible for a subsidy. The exact subsidy amount will be shared with you once all bookings are finalized. We hope you’ll join us for another amazing trip!

With the celebration of our 80th Anniversary just over a month away, we are in high gear, preparing an event that will be truly memorable for everyone. Our commemorative journal, which we publish every five years, is in its final stages before being sent to the printer for publication. As we finalize the details, we welcome any assistance you can offer to help make this milestone celebration a great success. Your support and involvement will ensure that this special occasion is both meaningful and unforgettable for all who attend.

We were delighted to hand out nearly 20 scholarship awards in December to recognize deserving students’ hard work in achieving academic success. 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 1^st to August 31^st.

本會為了遵守紐約巿政府的規定及極需將已經運作數十年的電梯現代化，在去年十月進行為期近兩個月時間的更新工程，因而導致電梯在這段期間內停止使用，很多會員尤其是那些會員不便上落樓梯，因此他們停止造訪，本會了解他們的困難並衷心向他們道歉。感謝他們的諒解，現在改善工程已經完成，我們誠摯地邀請你再次光臨，親自體驗這安全及利用現代化機件的電梯。

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。祝各位蛇年快樂，身體健康。今年團年晚宴近四百會員及家屬參加，埸面熱鬧，喜氣洋洋，大家歡聚一堂慶祝農曆新年。即使是紐約市推出堵車收費的第一日，這堵車費是曼哈頓下城居民包括華埠居民在內強烈反對，但本會團年晚宴並不因此影響而踴躍參加，會員們齊聚一堂，充滿溫馨和友誼。

在農曆新年活動期間，本會非常榮幸獲得紐約市市長亞當斯頒發褒揚狀，表楊本會曆年來對社區的貢獻。此外，本會亦得到紐約州眾議員李榮恩頒發表揚獎狀，李眾議員是在紐約州眾議會提案指定農曆新年為紐約州所有學校法定假日的倡議主要贊助者。她與紐約區長李文共同主持慶祝農曆新年餐會。這由紐約市長及眾議員的表彰，見證了本會對國家及社區的堅定不移的奉獻精神，數十年來，本會服務社區從不後人。

本會非常高興及祝賀子弟部 Bradley Chen 在紐約州第一區域演講比賽中贏得冠軍，並獲取參加紐約州總會在奧呠尼舉行的演講比賽機會，在這個演講比賽中，Bradley Chen 演出非常出色及獲得到亞軍，並獲得總會頒發四千元獎學金。演講比賽是美國退伍軍人會的一項兒童及青少年活動的重要項目，參與比賽的高中生需要在八分至十分鐘內演講有關美國憲法的題目，他們演講時對於美國憲法的知識及他們的演說技巧，是判斷勝敗的主要因素。本會一向大力支持是青少年演講比賽活動，我們極力鼓勵會員的高中生子女參加。如需要詳細參加比賽的資料，請與本會聯絡。

本會對退伍軍人忠烈坊因年久失修而日益嚴重狀況深感擔憂，近二十年來，本會屢次向負責管理忠烈坊的紐約市公園局申報及舉行了多次會議，要求公園局進行必要的維修，但一直未能成功。因為忠烈坊是建在市政府擁有的土地上，儘管本會願意負擔一切維修費用，但仍然被市政府拒絕及阻止自行維修。幸好兩個月前公園局通知本會，忠烈坊維修工程已獲市府通過並定今年夏季興工，這個好消息使我們感到多年失修的忠烈坊終於受到重視，這個華埠地標及紀念華裔退伍軍人為國犧牲而建得到應得的保護。雖然忠烈坊因為通達華埠工作小組計劃中的劉錦廣場設計最終位置可能受影響。但本會對市府維修忠烈坊工程感謝及非常滿意。

繼上次百慕達七天郵輪之旅獲得熱烈的好評，以及許多會員要求再次舉辦郵輪活動，所以夏季活動委員會決定再次在今年夏季組織郵輪之旅。本會已經與精華旅遊社合作定於今年九月二十一日啟程乘搭皇家搭加勒比海 Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas 前往巴哈馬，為期七天行程包括從新澤西州的自由角碼頭出發，中途停佛羅里達州，皇家加勒比海私人島嶼和巴哈馬拿騷市。為了方便到達碼頭起見，將會安排往返新澤西州自由角的交通。如你有意參加九月的郵輪到巴哈馬之旅，請與精華旅遊社陳小姐 Carrie Chen 直接聯絡，地址是華埠勿街九十八號，電話是 212-625-8107，請告訴陳小姐你是參加由退伍軍人會舉辦的九月二十一日出發的皇家加勒比海旅遊團，提示各位如你延遲預定船艙，價錢可能提升，所以請大家預早訂船艙。在你訂了船艙之後，你需要告知本會才能讓本會計算補助，一切補助詳細資料，將會稍後通知，希望你能參加及一齊享受快樂遊輪之旅。

本會慶祝八十週年紀念即將來臨，本會現正密鑼緊鼓籌備一切，而本會每五年出版的紀念特刊亦將完成，當我們敲定細節時，我們歡迎您提供任何協助，讓這有意義和難忘的慶祝活動更成功。

我們很高興在去年十二月頒發了二十多項獎學金，以表彰那些為取得學業成功而付出努力的優秀學生。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 motion was approved during the January 5, 2025 General Meeting:

本年一月五日第三次會員大會通過下列議案:

1. Approved the appointment of Adjutant Gabe Mui, Treasurer Paul Tam and Past Commander Harvard Tang to co-chair the annual Summer Outing Committee.

通過委派梅本立幹事，譚煥瑜財政及鄧遐勳前任主席為本年度夏季活動委員會負責人。

2. News/Announcement 其他消息

1. The 2025 Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 26, 2025.  All members are encouraged to participate and should sign-up prior to 12:30 pm that day and be ready to assemble at the corner of Mott Street and Canal Street for march-off at or about 1:00 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，定於五月二十六日星期一中午在華埠舉行，參加會員請於該日十二時三十分前到本會書記處登記，一時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 2025-2026 Post Installation ceremony and banquet will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025.  Installation of officers is scheduled for 4 pm at the Post Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium; followed immediately by the annual banquet at House of Joy Restaurant at 6 pm.

There have been past incidents and as recent as Lunar New Year Eve dinner that caused disruption when purchasing dinner tickets. To minimize any future disruption and streamline the process, all members must proof their current year membership by showing their membership card when purchasing the dinner tickets. No exceptions will be granted.

As you all aware that our installation banquet is usually attended by close to one thousand invited guests and member families. Due to no restaurant in Chinatown having large capacity for more than 400 people, the installation banquet for this year will be held on two separate days. The banquet on Saturday, June 7^th will be for invited guests and the banquet on Sunday, June 8^th will be for Legion, Auxiliary, SAL members, family and friends. 

Anyone who wishes to attend the banquet must register with the Post staff from Monday May 5, 2025 to Sunday, May 18, 2025 (2 – 4 pm daily, except Tuesday).  First come first served, with no exceptions.  Eligibility and cost for the banquet are as follow –

• Members with 2025 membership card and who had made a donation of $30.00 or more – one complimentary

• Companion ticket $30.00 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 $30.00 per ticket and maximum 2 tickets each.  Please bring your 20205 Auxiliary or SAL membership card.

• Additional tickets can be purchased beginning May 12, 2025 for $40.00. Maximum of 8 additional tickets per member.

本會二五至二六年職員就職及宴會定於二零二五年六月七日舉行。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。

過去在購買餐券曾發生擾亂事件，即使在最近的農曆除夕晚餐購買餐券時也有發生擾亂。 為了避免未來再有擾亂事件發生，會員在購買餐券時必須出示二零二五年會員證。 不會有任何例外。

眾所周知，我們的就職宴會通常有近千名受邀嘉賓和會員家屬參加。 由於華埠沒有像過去那樣大型的餐廳，而且餐廳的座位有限，所以今年的就職宴會將在兩天內進行。六月七日星期六的宴會將限受邀嘉賓參加，六月八日星期日的宴會將為會員、家人和朋友舉辦晚宴。

歡迎本會會員及眷屬踴躍參加。宴會餐券請於下列時間（二零二五年五月五日（星期一）至二零二五年五月十八日（星期日），每日下午二時至四時，星期二除外）向本會書記處報名，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）凡憑二零二五年會員證報名及已奉本會年儀三十元以上者，免費餐券一張。

二）凡憑二零二五年會員證報名者，可另購買伴侶券一張，每張三十元。

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，每張三十元，每人以兩張為限。請憑二零二五年會員證報名。

四）會員如欲購買超過二張餐券者，可於五月十二日後到會購買，每張四十元，最多不能超過八張。

3. 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!

4. New/Transfer Members 新入會會員

There were two new members approved by the last General meeting

二零二四至二五年第三次會員大會通過接納下列兩位新入會會員：

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   本會行政小組仝人敬啟

Thomas Ong 鄧燦業

Kenneth Wong 黃建中, Hon Pun Chan 陳漢斌, Wilem Wong 黃伯聰

Gabe B. Mui 梅本立, Howard Chin 陳煥寧

Ping Wing Chu 朱炳榮, Wan Y. Tam 譚煥瑜