June 2021 Newsletter


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

Legion Year 21 – 22 Newsletter No. 1

紐約華裔美國退伍軍人會會務簡訊

June 2021

 

Dear Legionnaires 親愛的會友:

It has been a very challenging and difficult year and a half for all of us; for some, their lives have been changed forever. The first half of 2021 has begun much like 2020, with 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 more and more people getting vaccinated and the relaxation of government guidelines, we are returning to some normalcy in our daily lives. Our Post is also gradually getting back to resuming some Post functions. In May, the Post held a nomination meeting for Legion Year 2021-2022 officers, and later held an officer election. We were honored that National Commander Bill Oxford, Jim Troiola, the leading candidate for National Commander for 2022-2023 and New York Department Adjutant Jim Casey visited our Post and laid a memorial wreath at the Kimlau Memorial.  The wreath was laid in recognition of the sacrifices of the Chinese American Veterans who answered our Nation’s call. On Memorial Day, the Post held a ceremony at the Kimlau Memorial without the usual parade down Mott Street. The change to the usual Memorial Day Parade was in compliance with New York City regulations during the pandemic.

As many of you may have learned from the news or through social media, the Lt. Kimlau Memorial was one of many properties under consideration for designation as a New York City Landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission during a hearing held on June 2nd. The designation of the Lt. Kimlau Memorial would result in its recognition as part of the heritage of greater New York and would enable it to receive greater care and attention as a symbol of patriotism, loyalty and sacrifice of Chinese Americans in the preservation of freedom and democracy. Our Post has formed a team to testify before the Landmarks Preservation Commission and we have mounted a campaign for writing letters of support to urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a favorable decision. The approval of the Lt. Kimlau Memorial as a New York City Landmark will place greater pressure on the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, which the care of the Lt. Kimlau Memorial is currently under, to address the deteriorating condition of the Lt. Kimlau Memorial.

We are so happy that the Lt. Kimlau Post 1291 finally got back to its normal activities; the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL Legion Year 2021-2022 officers took their oaths on June 5th, 2021. Please join us in congratulating them for a successful year. We would like to thank you for your support and trust. The officers’ installation took place at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, where the auditorium was large enough to allow for social distancing, as we are still required to observe the guidelines set by the CDC and New York City.  We also went without the normal banquet style reception, usually attended by over 1,000 people, due to the closure of large restaurants in Chinatown. Our guests included Taipei Economical Cultural Office Ambassador James Lee, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association President Justin Yu, many community leaders and two members of the Boston Chinatown Post 328.  We all spent time at our Post’s Chairman Peter Woo Auditorium for a buffet style meal. Thank you to all the VIP and guests for attending and special thanks to Installation Officer, 1st District Commander Joe Mondello for conducting the ceremony.

Commander Antonio Chuy reflected that during his past three years, dealing with the pandemic was the most difficult time in his tenure.  The shutdown of Post operations, the cancellation of the 75th Anniversary; many members were suffering with COVID-19 and some were dealing with the loss of loved ones – all of it was hard to comprehend. He thanked the officers for continuing to be strong and keeping most of the Post’s important functions going. He is most proud of working closely with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance on the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Project to award the brave Chinese American men and women who served honorably and with distinction.  Their contributions ensured our country’s freedom and these courageous men and women finally got their long awaited recognition.

We are grateful to have retired Supreme Court Judge Hon. Randall Eng to lead the Post and serve as our Commander in the coming year. Below is a message to the members from Commander Eng:

 Commander’s Message

It is with great pride that I assume the office of Commander of the L.T.B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291 just in time to meet with all of you in person with the expected re-opening of post activities on July 1, 2021.

This has been a difficult time for all of us as we have been battling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic upon our family life, social life, and livelihoods. We have remained strong in the Legion family and ready to resume the programs, which have benefited the veteran community and our Chinese-American community as well.

The wave of Anti-Asian bias and violence has touched us all and we must remain steadfast in our support of patriotism and loyalty to our country. All of our events are closed with the singing of “God Bless America” and these words that we cherish must be sung with greater vigor than ever before.

Membership will be a high priority in the months ahead. I want each of you to reach out to friends and relatives who are eligible to join the Legion to consider doing so. Many good people are seeking a meaningful outlet for their patriotic feelings and I can think of no better way than to join our 102-year-old organization dedicated to good citizenship and the support of the highest ideals of American life.

The Chinese-American business communities of greater New York were particularly hard hit by the Pandemic. Let’s join together in helping them regain the success and vitality, which they have enjoyed before COVID.

My thanks to many of you who have also served as medical professionals and first responders during this trying period. You exemplify the spirit of selfless service, which you have carried over from your time in service to your country as members of the armed forces.

Have a wonderful summer as the world continues to reopen and we can pursue the activities so important to us. Welcome Back!

Randall Eng, Commander

Auxiliary President Janice Lee and SAL Commander David Lee in their speeches thanked their respective members for their support and promised to be avid supporters for all Legion Programs. Congratulations to all the new officers and we wish them all a successful year.

過去十八個月可以說是我們生命中最富挑戰及最困難渡過的時刻,而且有不少人因為種種遭遇及傷痛的影響而永遠改變了人生,疫情在二零二一年初正如二零二零年一樣,並未見好轉,新冠病毒仍然散佈全國,幾乎每一個人都帶著空前焦慮及恐懼。幸好越來越多民眾已經接種疫苗,因此美國疫病管制處現正調整聚集規定,而紐約市亦因此而放鬆限制,我們的生活也逐漸恢復正常。本會亦按步舉辦各項活動,在五月舉辦職員提名大會,隨後舉辦職員選舉。繼有美國退伍軍人總會主席比爾、牛津,二零二二年至二零二三年美國退伍軍人總會主席第一候選人占、署奧拉及紐約州退伍軍人總會幹事占、凱斯聯同拜訪本會,並在劉錦忠烈坊獻花致敬為保衛國家自由民主而犧牲的華裔英雄。本會亦於國殤紀念日在劉錦忠烈坊舉辦獻花儀式,不過今年與往年不一樣,疫情雖然減緩,為了遵守紐約市的規定,所以取消遊行,只好在忠烈坊舉辦紀念儀式。

相信你們可能從新聞報導或社交媒體中得知劉錦忠烈坊是在六月二日紐約市地摽保護委員會考慮成為紐約市地標其中一項聽證議題之一,如果劉錦忠烈坊一旦成為紐約市地標,不但劉錦忠烈坊將會受到更多的關注,而其代表華裔忠誠保衛國家,維護自由民主而參戰和犧牲的英雄更受廣大崇拜。本會慎重商討及派出團隊參與這個聽證會並同時呼籲各區退伍軍人會及請求友好致信紐約市地標保護委員會主席鼎力支持。近年因紐約市公園管理處忽略對劉錦忠烈坊應有的維修,以致劉錦忠烈坊日漸破敗及支拄出現裂縫,希望如劉錦忠烈坊被指定為紐約市地標,可以肯定公園管理處對維修工作盡其職責。

本會新一屆的職員已於六月一日就職,我們衷心感謝大家的支持及信賴。在此祝全體職員勝任愉快及成功的新的一年。因遵循政府規定保持社交距離,新一屆職員就職典禮在中華公所禮堂舉行,嘉賓眾多,包括台北經濟文化辦事處李光章大使,中華公所于金山主席及僑界領袖,民選官員及來自波士頓華裔美國退伍軍人會代表親臨祝賀。由於新冠疫情影響,華埠各大型酒樓連續倒閉,往年筵開百席已不可能,只有在本會伍覺良董事長禮堂享用自助餐。感謝所有貴賓和嘉賓的出席,特別感謝第一區主席喬、蒙德羅主持職員就職儀式。

朱超然主席在卸任致詞中回顧了三年來其中以應對疫情是他任職期間最困難的時期,因應政府命令,本會取消一切活動,包括期望已久的七十五週年紀念,而一些會員染病或因病毒而失去親屬,更令人傷痛。他感謝一些勤奮的職員在艱難中繼續為會務辛勞。他最高興及覺得自豪的是在他任內與美國同源會合作,成功地爭取到國會頒發「第二次世界大戰美國華裔退伍軍人國會金章」給所有參與第二次大戰獲得榮譽退伍的軍人或家屬,以表彰他們的忠勇為國及犧牲。

祝賀新上任的退休高等法院法官伍元天主席,以下是伍元天主席給會員們的懇言:

我感到非常榮幸被選為本會新一屆主席,並希望本會在七月一日恢復所有活動,歡迎各位會員參加。我們在這一段艱難時期內被新冠疫情困擾而影響到每一個人的生活。幸好我們現在已經渡過難關而本會亦可以重新開放,繼續為社區服務。現正是仇恨亞裔偏見及暴力浪潮之際,我們必須堅定不移地支持愛國主義和對國家忠誠。我們每次舉辦的活動都以「上帝保佑美國」的歌聲結束,我們必須將這些字句比以往唱得更雄壯。我希望在接下來的幾個月內注重繼續吸收新會員加入本會,更希望你們每個人盡力引導合格入會的親朋成為本會成員。美國退伍軍人會有一百零二年的悠久歷史,是一個致力傳揚愛國精神及以服務為主的團體,這該是每個人夢想中要參加的支持美國生活的最高理想組織。目前很多華裔經濟因新冠病毒而受到嚴重打擊,希望大家合力幫助他們回復新冠病毒前的活力。我更加感謝在醫療及前線工作的會員在這段艱難時期中服務,這正表示我們自服役以來一直延續對國家的無私服務精神。政府對新冠限制已經漸漸開放,希望大家可以享受一切夏天愛好的活動。

婦女會主席梅蕙儀和子弟部李立民主席在致辭中感謝會員支持,並將成為所有退伍軍人會服務計劃的熱心支持者。 祝賀全體職員勝任愉快及成功的新的一年。

 

2021 Scholarship 二零二一年獎學金

Applications for the 2021 Post Scholarship and the Robert S. Wong Chinese Study Scholarship are being accepted through August 31, 2021.  For details concerning qualifications and requirements, please refer to previous newsletters or contact Post Headquarters. Application Forms can be obtained at Post Headquarters during office hours (2 pm to 4 pm daily) or downloaded directly from our website at www.ltkimlau.com. Anyone who wishes to apply should contact our Post for more information.

本會二零二一年獎學金及司徒旺中國文化獎學金申請日期由一月一日起至八月三十一日止。如你需要有關兩項獎學金詳情,可以參閱以往的會務簡訊或向本會辦公室詢問,有意報名申請者請於該期間填妥表格及預備各種文件,送交本會。獎學金申請表格請於本會辦公時間親臨本會索取或可由本會電腦網站www.ltkimlau.com直接下戴。如有疑問,請與本會聯系。

 

Legion Year 2021 – 2022 Officers 本年度職員

Position 職位

Name(s) 職員

Commander 主席

Randall Eng 伍元天

Vice Commander 副主席

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

Adjutant 幹事

Gabe B. Mui 梅本立

Ass’t Adjutant 助理幹事

Mark Eng伍顯宗

Chinese Secretary 中文書記

David Lam 林善群

Treasurer 財政

Howard Chin陳煥寧

Judge Advocate 評議

Richard Shin 單志然

Historian 會歷

Mimi Wang 王咪咪

Sgt. at Arms 糾察

Antonio Chuy 朱超然, De Zhi Yu余德志

Auditor 核數

Yeuk Chung Moy 梅若松, Arvin Chin 陳毓堂

Post Chaplain 宗教主任

Philip Eng 伍沃欽

Executive Committee 執行委員

Jia  M. Wu 伍家明, Don Yee 余超俊, Wilem Wong黃伯聰, Johnny Kung龔耀宗, Albert Eng 伍澄江, Jimmy Quan 關志文, David Yee余龍青, Hon Pun Chan陳漢斌, Joe Law羅明泰, Lester Chang鄭永佳, Thomas Lee李振宏

First CAVMBC Membership Meeting for LY2021-2022

Sunday June 27, 2021, 1pm at Post Auditorium

For members joined on January 17, 2004 and prior / members has been approved for CAVMBC membership only

二零二一至二零二二年第一次華裔美國退伍軍人實業公司會員大會

六月二十七日星期日,下午一時在本會禮堂舉行

會員必需在一月十七日, 二零零四年前加入本會或已經獲實業公司董事局批准入會才能參加會議

 

First Post General Membership Meeting for LY2021-2022

Sunday June 27, 2021, 3pm at Post Auditorium

For all members, please come and see what’s going on, we need your involvement

二零二一至二零二二年第一次會員大會

六月二十七日星期日,下午三時在本會禮堂舉行

請各會員踴躍出席參加,共商會務及各重要事項

 

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

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