American Legion Lt. B. R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291, Inc.
Legion Year 20 – 21 Newsletter
紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊
March, 2021
Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友:
It is hard to imagine it has been one full year since we were ordered to shelter at home by our government officials to flatten the curve. We were told that unless you are essential workers; you must stay home to prevent the spread of the Coronus virus. We diligently followed the CDC guidelines and practiced health and safety protocols such as wearing a mask, social distancing and washing our hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds. We were prohibited to gather in groups, even among family members, unless they were living together. Businesses were shuttered and schools were closed. Working from home became the norm and the once busy streets of the city became a ghost town. Do all these scenarios sound familiar? That is because every one of us has lived it for the last twelve months.
Our post complied with the government directive and promptly closed its operations beginning March 17, 2020. It was a difficult and painful decision for Post Leadership. All pending Post meetings and activities; such as officer nomination and election, the Memorial Day parade, the officer installation and the 75th Anniversary celebration were cancelled. It is imperative that we consider our health and the health and safety of those around us as the highest priority and at the same time, obey the law to minimize the spread of the virus. As the pandemic continues to affect our normal life, we were ultimately forced to cancel all activities including events in the first quarter of 2021.
For most of us, 2020 was one of the most challenging periods in our personal and professional lives. Most of us experienced unprecedented stress and anxiety as our lives were altered by the pandemic. Some of us experienced far worse – severe illness or grief over the loss of loved ones. 2021 has begun much like 2020, all of us still living in fear of the pandemic but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With the rapid development and deployment of the vaccine, most of the essential first responders and the vulnerable populations are being vaccinated. As the vaccines become more available to the general population; we are hoping to get back to our normal lives once again in the near future.
To date, the CDC has re-prioritized their guidelines and eased the restrictions on indoor gathering, as more and more people are getting vaccinated. Although standards are set by local governments and vary from different jurisdictions, these directives provided everyone with hope that we will resume living with some normalcy, much like before the pandemic. The American Legion Department of New York has announced that the Department Convention will be held in July this year and has encouraged the District, County and Posts to resume activities as long as they are following their local government rules on gathering. Commander McDermott and Adjutant Casey have not yet determined how the convention will take place or what the restrictions imposed by local government will be in July for indoor gathering. However, alternative plans are being developed for a smaller convention if needed.
Our Post hopes to return to its normal operations soon with the possibility of some new protocols in place to ensure the safety of every person. In an informal meeting of past Post Commanders last week, all were in favor of the Post holding an election of officers for the new Legion Year. Detailed plans of nomination, election and installation are being drafted and much depends on any new guidelines set by New York City. The dates of the nomination, election and installation are as follow: Nomination – May 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm; Election – May 16, 2021 from 9:00 to 4:00 pm; Installation – June 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and the closure of many large restaurants in Chinatown which has diminished our ability to plan for a banquet style reception; we will forgo the traditional banquet celebration after the installation and hold a buffet style reception at the Post.
Throughout the lock-down, our Post was closed but a few very dedicated Legionnaires continued to carry out necessary functions. Commander Tony Chuy, Past Commander Kenneth Wong, Vice Commander Howard Chin, Chaplain Phil Eng, Sergeant-at-Arms Thomas Ong and a few others paid a last tribute to our departed comrades by attending members’ funerals. Commander Chu, Past Commander Paul Tam and Mark Eng were at the Post on a daily basis to look after building related matters. The Scholarship Committee also convened to choose the 2020 scholarship recipients. We sincerely thank the families of Maj. Stanley Lee, John H. Wong, Kwong Y. Yee, Doo J. Eng and Arthur Wong for making donations to create scholarships in memory of our long time members. 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, in its third year of a ten-year program was awarded to Anneli Chuy, daughter of Commander Chuy. The “John H. Wong Memorial Scholarship” of $1,000, in its final year of a five-year program was awarded to Lucy Yin, daughter of Min Xiong “The Kwong Y. Yee Memorial Scholarship” of $1,000 was awarded to Spencer Ng, grandson of Jack F. Ng. The “Doo J. Eng Memorial Scholarship” of $900 was awarded to Christine Jew, daughter of Warren H. Jew. The “Arthur Wong Memorial Scholarship” of $500 was awarded to Leah Chung, granddaughter of Kai S. Chung.
We were pleased to hand out the above awards, as well as the Post Scholarship awards (equal to $500 each) to eight well deserving recipients via Zoom. The winners are Glendon Chin, son of Bradford Chin; Emmeline Chuy, daughter of Commander Chuy; Leilani Kaiser, granddaughter of Past Commander Richard Shin; Malia Kaiser, granddaughter of Past Commander Richard Shin; Alexander Mattingly, grandson of Jack Chu; Brandon Tse, son of Sean Tse; Caitlin Wong, daughter of Henry Wong; Chance Yan, son of Lap Yan. We would like to congratulate them all on their outstanding achievements and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. We also handed out one Robert S. Wong Chinese Study Scholarship Awards to Christopher Gee, Son of Benny Gee; he 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 1st to August 31st.
As we look forward to seeing you in the near future, please follow the CDC guidelines and pay extra attention and take extra precautions for your health and safety as well as your family’s health and safety. The VA is now offering the vaccine to all veterans who are enrolled. If you are eligible for the vaccine, please take it.
真的難以想像我們在被政府下禁令除了必要工作人員外,每一個人都需要居家避疫藉此感少新冠病毒傳播已經足足一年多,我們亦盡量依照美國疫病管制處規定做好自己本份的事項如戴口罩,保持拒離及勤洗手等。在這一年中,我們連不一起住的家人都不能聚會,工商業及學校禁止作業,在家工作已經是常規,街道上平時熙來攘往的繁榮興旺景況變成凋零冷落,相信你們對這情景絕對不會陌生,因為這便是我們過去一年多的生活實況。
本會亦遵從政府指示在去年三月十七日停止開放,並且在本會行政小組及前任主席議決後贊成取消一切活動包括職員選舉提名,職員選舉,國殤日遊行,職員就職典禮及七十五週年慶典。我們不但要注重自己健康及所有在我們左右的人健康著想。且在疫情持續,在逼不得意下將去年及今年年初的一切活動取消。
無疑二零二零年是我們生命中最艱難及難以遺忘的一年,其中不少人遭遇到空前焦慮及恐懼,而且一些人被這惡毒的疫症改變了人生,有些臥病不起數月,有些因親愛的人病入膏肓而痛失家人。疫情在二零二一年年初並未見好轉,新冠病毒仍然散佈全國,幸好疫苗研究成功及已經在全國為前線工作人員及帶病或長者注射,相信不久將來每個人都有機會獲得疫苗接種,希望很快便可以回復像以前的正常生活。
美國疫病管制處現正修改對屋內聚集規定,因為越來越多民眾已經接受疫苗注射而開始放鬆限制。雖然仍有許多規定是由地方政府決定屋內聚集限制,而且各地不一,但亦將限制程度減輕使民眾生活慢慢回復新冠病毒之前狀況。美國紐約州退伍軍人會總會亦鑑於疫情好轉而宣布今年的年會將在七月舉行,更呼籲各區各郡及各軍人會應進行改選但必需遵守各地政府的屋內聚集規定而進行。紐約州總會主席麥德莫及幹事凱斯聲明舉辦年會的一切細節仍未能決定,因為未能確定地方政府在七月時對屋內聚集的限制,但如必要時將會減少出席代表。
本會現正考慮希望能在短期內回復正常會務,在前星期前任主席會議全體贊成今年應舉辦新一屆職員選舉。我們正在研商配合紐約市政府疫情管制條例及一切就職細節,但職員選舉提名,職員選舉,職員就職典禮日期已經決定如下:職員選舉提名在五月二日,星期日下午二時,職員選舉在五月十六日,星期日上午九時至下午四時,職員就職典禮在六月五日下午三時在中華公所舉行。由於紐約唐人街大型餐廳受到疫情嚴重影響而連續倒閉,實是沒能像以往一樣舉辦就職典禮後宴會,無奈只有在本會舉行自助晚餐了。
自去年因疫情嚴重本會響應政府限制下停止日常運作,但本會幾位熱心會員卻不懼疫情繼續為本會仙逝會員作出最後致敬,非常感謝朱超然主,前任主席黃建中,副主席陳煥寧伍,沃欽宗教主任,鄧燦業糾察及幾位會員一年多的辛勤服務。另朱超然主席,前任主席譚煥瑜及前任主席伍顯宗亦在疫情中幾乎每日都親臨本會料理樓業鎖碎事件。獎學金委員會成員亦在疫情中聚會選擇去年獎學金者名額,本會非常感謝李飛揚家人及Saunders家人,黃雄源家人,余廣一家人,伍于舉家人及黃寧家人捐款設立幾個「紀念獎學金」,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」第三年頒發給朱超然主席的女兒,為期五年每年一千元的「黃雄源紀念獎學金」第五年頒發給熊敏的女兒,一千元的「余廣一紀念獎學金」頒發給伍福源的孫女,九百元的「伍于舉紀念獎學金」頒發給趙禧濂女兒,五百元的「黃寧紀念獎學金」頒發給李禎年孫女。
本會除了利用網路頒發上述的「紀念獎學金」外,同時亦頒發本會設立每年的獎學金給八名成績優異的學生,分別為陳倫慶兒子,朱超然主席女兒,前任主席單志然兩位孫女,趙積孫兒,謝國寶兒子,黃定強女兒,甄立猷兒子。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」給朱俊華兒子,他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是由一月一日開始至八月三十一日截止。
希望我們很快就機會聚在一起,請你注意美國疫病管制處的方針及指示,並特別對你及你家人小心安全健康。美國退伍軍人事務部已經宣布開始為已註冊的退伍軍人注射疫苗,希望你及時接種疫苗以保安全。
Reminder 溫馨提示
We are currently at 77% renewal in membership which is lack behind the Department goal of 100% 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二零二零年至二零二一年會員費,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)。
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!
Steven Yang 楊 智 行 (Apr 20)
Shuck Seid 雷 柏 銳 (Apr 20)
Kwong Y. Yee 余 廣 一 (Apr 20)
Sheung Chung 鍾 想 Sep 20)
Paul C. Ng 伍 保 羅 (Jun 20)
Suey W. Ng 伍 瑞 和 (Oct 20)
Yat Q. Yee 余 日 光 (Oct 20)
Edward C. Tung 鄧 兆 恩 (Oct 20)
Lum Louie 雷 林 (Nov 20)
Toy F. Ng 伍 福 財 (Nov 20)
Barry Eng 伍 國 耀 (Dec 20)
Sun Fong Wen 溫 新 晃 (Dec 20)
Lung Fee Wong 黃 龍 飛 (Dec 20)
James F. Lee 李 耀 芳 (Jan 21)
Kim Wing Ngai 倪 錦 榮 (Jan 21)
Jing C. Eng 伍 正 光 (Feb 21)
Tom Ha 譚 哈 (Mar 21)
New/Transfer Members 新入會會員
There were four new members applied for membership
二零至二一年第新會員:
Yan Xiong 熊 焱 (Gulf – Army)
Ted Chu (Gulf – Navy)
Wei Li 李 偉 (Gulf – Navy)
Jie Luo 羅 杰 (Gulf – Navy)
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。