Alfred Chan, WWII USN Seabee stationed on Midway Island and recipient of the Chinese American Congressional Gold medal, shares the story of learning the war was over while on a troop carrier as it returned from war. He'd left for battle not knowing if he would live or die. Monthly posts from members celebrate their contributions to family history storytelling — in all its forms.
Aw, @Robin Stewart thanks so much for sharing. I’ve been awed at how warm and welcoming our community has been to new members.
These stories of our veterans need to be captured, they recount not only the bravery of individuals but also personalize world history and the emotions of a nation.
More about the Chinese American GI Project in the article.
I created this video to commemorate the one year anniversary of my father's passing. Dad was just one of 16 million who served his country in WWII. So his is just a simple sailors story. Another memory of dad's service is when he and I were at the Vietnam War Memorial in DC. He was wearing a WWII Veteran hat. A woman came to him to thank him for his service. She called him a hero. My dad said, "thank you". He then pointed to the wall, and said, "the hero's are over there".
Thank you for this story of a brave young man who fought for freedom even though he was not always accepted by everyone. I am so glad a stranger called him a hero because that's what he was even though he found it hard to accept. A lovely story.
Hi Roberta, appreciate your kind thoughts. It is through stories in Projectkin our loved ones will never die, as their memory continues on.
You are observant that Chinese were not always accepted by everyone.
My father went to the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition with two Chinese friends. On the way home to the Sacramento Delta, they stopped midway in Antioch, CA. at a diner. There the three boys sat, and sat, and sat, as people came, ate, paid, and left.... as they refused service. So they left, hungry. They did nothing, as my father said, "they knew their place". Very ironic, as although the boys were not good enough to be served a meal in Antioch, all three served their country in WWII.
82 years later, when the City of Antioch passed a resolution apologizing to Chinese Americans past discrimination, a personal apology was extended to my father, to help him find closure, shortly before he died. That proclamation, after dad's death, I donated to the Antioch Museum's Chinese American exhibit.
These are the stories that need to be told. Your dad's commitment has become a teaching moment from history.
Thank you, Ron, for your dad's service, and your remarkable commitment to ensure that his story is told. As you've so graciously shared, his is one of a generation of incredible Chinese American GIs. Their stories need to be preserved, remembered, and learned from.
Aw, @Robin Stewart thanks so much for sharing. I’ve been awed at how warm and welcoming our community has been to new members.
These stories of our veterans need to be captured, they recount not only the bravery of individuals but also personalize world history and the emotions of a nation.
More about the Chinese American GI Project in the article.
Wow such a great story to be told!
Hi Kathy,
I created this video to commemorate the one year anniversary of my father's passing. Dad was just one of 16 million who served his country in WWII. So his is just a simple sailors story. Another memory of dad's service is when he and I were at the Vietnam War Memorial in DC. He was wearing a WWII Veteran hat. A woman came to him to thank him for his service. She called him a hero. My dad said, "thank you". He then pointed to the wall, and said, "the hero's are over there".
Oh, that's so sweet, so humble, so respectful. Thank you, Ron. 🥹 He was a remarkable man. So many heroes, so many stories.
Thank you for this story of a brave young man who fought for freedom even though he was not always accepted by everyone. I am so glad a stranger called him a hero because that's what he was even though he found it hard to accept. A lovely story.
Hi Roberta, appreciate your kind thoughts. It is through stories in Projectkin our loved ones will never die, as their memory continues on.
You are observant that Chinese were not always accepted by everyone.
My father went to the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition with two Chinese friends. On the way home to the Sacramento Delta, they stopped midway in Antioch, CA. at a diner. There the three boys sat, and sat, and sat, as people came, ate, paid, and left.... as they refused service. So they left, hungry. They did nothing, as my father said, "they knew their place". Very ironic, as although the boys were not good enough to be served a meal in Antioch, all three served their country in WWII.
82 years later, when the City of Antioch passed a resolution apologizing to Chinese Americans past discrimination, a personal apology was extended to my father, to help him find closure, shortly before he died. That proclamation, after dad's death, I donated to the Antioch Museum's Chinese American exhibit.
These are the stories that need to be told. Your dad's commitment has become a teaching moment from history.
Thank you, Ron, for your dad's service, and your remarkable commitment to ensure that his story is told. As you've so graciously shared, his is one of a generation of incredible Chinese American GIs. Their stories need to be preserved, remembered, and learned from.