January 2022 Newsletter


 

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

Legion Year 21 – 22 Newsletter No. 3

紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊

WWW.LTKIMLAU.COM

January, 2022

 

Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友:

We sincerely hope the Holiday Season brought everyone good health 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 Tiger.

Commander’s Message:

As we close out the calendar year 2021, I just wanted to share with you some thoughts as to where we are now and where we will be heading in the year to come.

We have reopened our Post fully after the COVID-19 pandemic. Elections were held and a new slate of officers and executive committee members were duly elected and installed on June 5th.  A scaled-down version of the Department of New York Convention was held in July at which we were represented by Adjutant Gabe Mui.

As we returned to our normal cycle of activities, we sent six delegates to the American Legion National Convention in Phoenix, AZ held from August 27 – September 2, 2021.

Although the total number of delegates was lower than the in years past, it was encouraging to see so many of our fellow legionnaires gather from every corner of the country to renew our commitment to mutual helpfulness and to elect an experienced and dynamic slate of national officers.

September 11, 2021 was the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks which so profoundly affected our nation, state, and community. We gathered in-person at the Kimlau Memorial Arch (which achieved New York City Landmark Status in June) to remember those who were lost and to recommit ourselves to rigorously opposing those who would seek to destroy our democratic way of life.

Veterans Day 2021 was observed in our traditional manner with a parade on Mott Street in which we were joined by a contingent of midshipmen from the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. After hearing remarks from public officials and community leaders we adjourned to a well-attended luncheon at Canton Lounge.

Our Annual Thanksgiving Party was held at the Post on November 21, 2021 and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch and good fellowship with our members and their families.

Rounding out the year, our Post Christmas Party was held on December 19, 2021 and in addition at the holiday festivities, we continued our tradition of awarding scholarships to our deserving students who inspire us with their dedication to learning and advancement.

A Happy New Year to all in our Legion family and I look forward to working with everyone to move ahead with our programs and activities!

By Commander Randall Eng

In addition to the activities mentioned in Commander Eng’s message above, U. S. West Point Academy faculty members who are currently completing graduate studies at Columbia University visited the Post. Also, 32 members of U. S. West Point Academy Cadets visited our Post two weeks later. We had very pleasant conversations of military experience and cultural awareness. The American Legion National Judge Advocate Mark Seavey and the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast team visited our Post prior to their coverage of the “America’s Parade” hosted by the United War Veterans on Fifth Avenue on Veterans Day. The Post Color Guard led the American Legion contingent in the parade, which was a great honor. We were also honored to attend the Operation Warrior Shield’s Healing for Heroes Dinner as Wilem Wong’s guests. Wilem received the Operation Warrior Shield’s Healing for Heroes Leadership Award for his dedication and commitment to help fellow veterans in need.  Congratulations to Wilem!  Congratulations are also in order for our member Peter Gong as he was inducted into the New State Veterans Hall of Fame. State Senator Anna M. Kaplan nominated him for his many years of volunteer work in the community.

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 due to the COVID pandemic delay. It was held in three separate sessions during the day because it was limited in capacity to comply with New York City mandates of social distancing at the Dr. Sun Yet-Sen Middle School in Chinatown. Our Post color guard was honored to present the colors and Chaplain Philip Eng provided the invocation to start off the ceremony. The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by Congress and is the highest civilian award in the United States. More than 20,000 Chinese American men and women served in the U. S. Armed Forces during World War II.  Finally they were able receive the long awaited recognition for their bravery and sacrifice.

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 found a few of our members missed the May 31st deadline this past year. Our Post anticipated this might happen and in advance of the huge price increase, purchased some WWII Congressional Gold Medals. We will recognize our members’ honorable service in WWII and award them the medal in a future Post event. If you know of any veterans and their families who have not received their medal, please contact them or notify the Post.

We have appealed to our younger members in our previous newsletter to join our prestigious Color Guard Unit. We are happy to report to you that a few members have responded to our desperate call for reinforcement.  The Lt. Kimlau Post color guard unit has a long and proud history of serving our community. They are not only an essential part of our annual Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day Parade; they also participate in numerous community functions as mentioned above. But once again 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.

Have you visited the Kimlau Post website www.ltkimlau.com lately? The website has undergone an extensive makeover in the last few months. We have diligently updated pertinent Post related information, such as Post history, anniversary journals, activity photos and videos.  You can download an application form and check on the latest newsletters and activity calendar.

We sincerely thank the families of Maj. Stanley Lee and Kim Wing Ngai for making donations to create scholarships in memory of our long time members. We also want to thank our member Dun Hong Leung for his continuing support of the Post scholarship program by donating $1,000 last year and $1,000 for this year. 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 third year of a ten-year program and was awarded to Willie Chen, Son of Stanley Chen and a graduating High School student. The “Kim Wing Ngai Memorial Scholarship” of $1,000 was awarded to Lucy Yin, daughter of Min Xiong. The “Dung Hon Leung Scholarship” of $1,000 was awarded to Spencer Ng, grandson of Jack Y. F. Ng.

We were pleased to hand out the above awards, as well as the Post Scholarship awards (equal to $500 each) to twelve 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. 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 1st to August 31st.

首先恭祝大家「新年快樂!」農歷新年將至,祝大家心想事成,身體健康,家庭和睦,生活愉快,虎年行好運。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。

主席報告

光陰似箭,二零二一年將快結束,我在年終將至與大家分享我在過去數月的感想及未來一年的展望。本會隨新冠肺炎疫情趨緩在五月選出新一屆職員及在六月五日在中華公所舉行就職典禮,自七月開始本會恢復正常運作。因遵循紐約州退伍軍人總會指示,今年總會年會由幹事梅本立代表本會出席。而全國退伍軍人會年會因沒有出席人數限制,本會六位代表出席在八月下旬於亞里桑那州、鳳凰城舉行的年會。儘管各地出席代表比往年減少,但亦非常振奮能見到眾多同袍聚集在一起重申退伍軍人互助的承諾和選出新總會主席及職員。二零二一年九月十一日是恐襲二十週年,但這對國家及社區影響重大的恐怖事件深刻的印在每一個人的心裏,本會依往年一樣在剛被紐約市地標委員會確定的華埠唯一為紀念華人忠烈事蹟的地標劉錦忠烈坊舉辦一年一度的燭光掉念會,令人不會遺忘這恐襲對我們的影響。今年退伍軍人節遊行在十一月七日在華埠勿街舉行,美國海軍軍官學校的中文文化交流會繼過去六年來再一次派三十二會員由馬里蘭州前來參加並受到熱烈歡迎,遊行後在味悅軒午餐。每年一度的感恩節午餐因役情持續而不如往年熱鬧,但在近兩年沒見面的會員相見之下,其心中喜悅可想而知。聖誕節午餐在十二月十九日舉行,今年的獎學金一如往年在午餐前頒發,並不如去年疫情嚴重期間改在網上頒發。祝各位新年快樂,我期待著與大家一起合力推進本會未來的計劃及活動。

主席伍元天啟。

本會在過去的幾個月中為會員提供及舉辦除了伍元天主席報告的各項活動外,現正在哥倫比亞大學深造的十數位美國西點陸軍軍校的老師在十月探訪本會,兩星期後三十二位西點軍校學生亦前來拜訪本會,大家交談服役感想及文化交流,相談甚歡。美國退伍軍人總會評議麥斯維及總會網站廣播團隊在他們採訪在十一月十一日曼哈頓五大道軍人節遊行前到訪本會。非常榮幸本會儀仗隊受到紐約州總會委派在退伍軍人節遊行隊伍領隊先行。我們也非常高興受本會執行委員黃伯聰邀請參加Operation Warrior Shield舉辦的英雄治癒晚宴,黃伯聰並在會上獲獎,得到表掦其對退伍軍人們無私的奉獻。除了祝賀黃伯聰外,亦籍此恭賀本會會員江孔均,他因多年為社區服務而被紐約州參議員Anna M. Kaplan 提名入選進入紐約州退伍軍人名人堂。

第二次世界大戰美國華裔退伍軍人國會金章法案因新冠疫情而數次改期頒發,終於在十二月十八日在紐約華埠孫逸仙中學舉辦,由於紐約市仍實行疫情期間防備規則而分三次在同日頒獎。本會儀仗隊及宗教主任伍沃欽参加開幕禮儀式。以表彰二萬多服役於第二次世界大戰期間的華裔退伍軍人,這個國會金章是美國公民可以獲得的最高榮譽的勳章。所有參與第二次大戰獲得榮譽退伍的軍人或家屬將會得到這個勳章,以表彰他們的忠勇為國及犧牲。

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。本會亦預計到這可能性,於是在政府提高國會金章五倍價格之前購買了一些國會金章,以備在同源會頒發後自行在本會舉辦的活動上頒發。如你知道本會會員尚未報名領取國會金章,請盡快將這消息告訴他們或讓本會知道。

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一隊亨有極高聲譽的隊伍,他們對於服務社區更是不遺餘力。非常慶幸幾位年青會員響應本會的懇求,願意加入本會極需新血補充的儀仗隊,只可惜近年已現青黃不接的狀況,隊員們多已年及花甲,還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。

你最近可否有上網遊覽過本會設立已久的網站 (LTKIMLAU.COM),本會在近數月努力進行大規模改造,所有相關本會信息如本會歷史資料,每五年出版的紀念週刊,歷年來的活動照片及視頻,最新的會務簡訊及本會活動時間表,亦可以在網站下載入會及獎學金申請表。

本會非常感謝李飛揚家人和Saunders家人及倪錦榮家人捐款設立「紀念獎學金」,同時亦非常感謝本會會員梁雲從在去年及今年共捐款二千元設立「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」頒發給陳朝達兒子,一千元的「倪錦榮紀念獎學金」頒發給熊敏女兒,一千元的「梁雲從獎學金」頒發給伍福源孫子。

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的獎學金給十二名成績優異的學生,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 September 26, 2021 General Meeting:

二零二一年九月二十六日第二次會員大會通過下列議案:

  1. Approved to hold the Post Veterans Day Parade on November 7, 2021.

通過本年度軍人節遊行在十一月七日舉行。

  1. Approved the appointment of Jimmy Quan to chair this year’s Marine Toy for Tots Holiday toys distribution.

通過由執行委員關志文負責本年度美國海軍陸戰隊的捐贈小孩玩具。

  1. Approved the Mantle Health First Aid (MHFA) training class by retired NYPD Sergeant Wilem Wong.

通過由執行委員黃伯聰教導的精神健康培訓班。

  1. Approved to award life membership to Past Commander Mark Eng, Past Commander Tony Chuy, Past Commander Mimi Wang and Past Commander Kenneth Wong effective June 1, 2022.

通過頒贈本會永久會員榮譽給前任主席伍顯宗, 前任主席王咪咪, 前任主席黃建中及前任主席朱超然,定於二零二二年六月一日實行。

  1. Approved the Self Defense Classes at the 2nd floor Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium.

通過在二樓伍覺良禮堂舉辦自衛班。

  1. 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. New York City has mandated everyone must show proof of vaccination to gain entry to restaurant.

 

  1. The Post lunar year 4720 New Year’s Eve celebration will be held on Sunday, January 16, 2022 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 December 27, 2021 to Sunday January 9, 2022 between 2 – 4 pm daily.  Dinner tickets are limited. Eligibility and cost for the dinner are as follow –

  • Members with 2022 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 2022 Auxiliary or SAL membership card when register.

請注意:本會會員本年度團年餐券每張十元本會職員及前任主席每張十元紐約市規定每個人都必須出示疫苗接種證明才能進入餐

本會農歷年除夕聚餐定於二零二二年一月十六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(二零二一年十二月二十七日(星期一)至二零二二年一月九日(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)凡本會會員憑二零二二年會員證報名者,餐券二十元一張,職員及前任主席十元一張。

二)凡本會會員憑二零二二年會員證報名者,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。請憑二零二二年會員證報名。

  1. The 2021 Lt. B. R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291 Scholarship Award winners are (本會獎學金得獎人名單如下):

Willie Chen – son of Stanley C. Chen (陳朝達兒子), Nicholas Tiger Cheung – son of William Cheung (張華南兒子), Kevin Chew – grandson of Jue W. Chew (趙占孫子), Tyler Chung – grandson of Sun Hing Moy (梅新興孫子), Emmeline Chuy – daughter of Antonio Chuy (朱超然女兒), Nicole Hom – daughter of Wayne Hom (譚超然女兒), Leilani Kaiser – granddaughter of Richard Shin (單志然孫女), Malia Kaiser – granddaughter of Richard Shin (單志然孫女), Spencer Ng – granddson of Jack Y. F. Ng (伍福源孫子), Brandon Tse – son of Sean Tse (謝國寶兒子), Caitlin Wong – daughter of Henry Wong, Nick Wong – son of John L. Wong (黃立德兒子), Jeffrey Wu – son of Jai Ming Wu (伍家明兒子), Chance Yan – son of Lap Yau Yan (甄立猷兒子), Lucy Yin – daughter of Min Xiong (熊敏女兒).

The 2021 Robert S. Wong Chinese Study Scholarship Award winner is (司徒旺中國文化獎學金得獎人): Christopher Gee 朱卓行 (son of Benny Gee 兒子) 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, 2016 are eligible to apply for 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二零一六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 71% 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二零二一年至二零二二年會員費,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)。

  1. Taps 仙逝會員

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

May Our Comrades Rest In Peace!

 

Henyin Eng  伍 廣 強  (Oct 21)

Jack Lum  林 澤 森   (Oct 21)

Lindy K. Wong  黃 良 佐  (Oct 21)

Dun L. Chin  陳 進 來  (Nov 21)

  1. New/Transfer Members 新入會會員

There were two

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

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