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Winter - San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
SD Chinese Mission Building 404 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 T: 619 338 9888 F: 619 338 9889 www.sdchm.org [email protected] Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension 328 J Street San Diego, CA 92101 WINTER 2008 The mission of SDCHSM is to collect, preserve and share the Chinese American experience and Chinese history, culture and art and to educate the community and its visitors. MUSEUM HOURS Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-4:00pm Sunday 12pm-4pm Closed Mondays Admission $2 Members Free Group tours are available upon request. Please share this information with your local school or organization. NU anger; passion; rage Written by Mi Fei 米芾 1051-1107 C.E. 盛怒 full of anger 怒目 angry looks 怒容滿面 the face flushed with rage 怒髮衝冠 his rage lifted his cap Donor Appreciation Afternoon Caitlin Chan, Museum Staff On December first we were honored to have so many dedicated donors attend our long overdue Donor Appreciation Reception. Approximately seventy attendees greeted old friends while admiring Pat Tseng’s jewelry and Lois Wittner’s dioramas in the Dr. Sun YatSen Memorial Extension. Our current president, Dr. Lilly Cheng, opened the ceremonies, introducing past presidents of the historical society and museum as well as former chairpersons of the Board The museum recognizes generous benefactors at the Donor Appreciation Afternoon on December 1, 2007. of Trustees to each say a few words. As the first president, Tom Hom reflected on how the museum originally came into existence. He reminded us that during the 1980’s when downtown San Diego was stagnating, redevelopment plans included the removal of our precious Chinatown. The whole community was horrified that the history and contributions of the Chinese in San Diego were going to be virtually erased. His late wife Dorothy as well as Sally Wong took action and won the best concession possible at the time, which was to allow a small Chinese museum in the lobby of the Horton Grand Hotel. A few years later, when word got out that the Chinese Community Church on 1st Avenue was going to be torn down, it seemed like a perfect home for the museum. Petitioning the city saved the building and the current site was acquired with a purely ceremonial lease of one dollar a year for fifty-five years. He recognized Dr. Chuang and many others for having built such a solid foundation for the museum, but observed that every organization worth its future must involve younger generations to bring in new ideas and keep it alive. Former chairperson Shu Chien further developed this idea of sustaining the museum through future generations. In acknowledging the way that Dr. and Mrs. Chuang have so generously donated their time to the museum, he noted that we could not assume that others would give their time so selflessly in the future. Thus, an endowment is needed to ensure that the museum will be sustainable. He announced that although half of the two million dollar goal had been met, a second wind or second spring is now needed. Dr. Shao Chi Lin, the subsequent chairperson, opened quite appropriately with a quote from Confucius * Japanese Atrocities in China During WWII: A Tale of Three Women “When there are three people walking, my teacher must be among them.” This embodies the humility *The Missing Link of the Burma Road that students should show in their willingness to *The Origins of the Chinese Historical learn from others. In particular, Dr. Lin pointed out Society and Museum: Part II the unfortunate truth that the next generation knows very little about Confucius and other fundamentals *The Musing Dragons Race to Victory of our great civilization. It is clear that we need to *Veterans Day Luncheon pass down what we know and encourage our youth to learn about Chinese culture and history. In This Issue Continued On Page 18 Winter 2008 The San Diego Chinese Historical Society & Museum is funded in part by the Commission for Arts and Culture, City of San Diego PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE D San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum Board President Lilly Cheng ear Friends and Supporters of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, Recently San Diego suffered from a series of devastating fires. My family and I were under mandatory evacuation and were forced to leave our home in a hurry. We took with us some photographs and some papers. As I closed the door to leave, I took a glance at the house and was at peace with myself. The photographs represented many pieces of our personal life history and memories, so I felt that I had taken the most important items in the house. In the ensuing hours and days, San Diego sustained huge damages. Many lost their homes and others were unable to return to their homes for some time. We all learned so much from the fires and I wish you all the best in reconnecting with your life, family and friends. I also wish those who have lost their homes peace and wellness in trying to rebuild their lives after the fires. The news of the fires spread around the world and many called or wrote to find out how we were doing. I felt deeply touched by the comforting words from friends and family. I realized that my net worth is really the family and friends that I have built through the many years of my personal and professional journey. In addition, the Asian Film Festival was held in October. Among the many films, those that touched me most deeply were Nanking, Dark Matter and All in this Tea. Many of our members were in attendance, making our support an important part of this celebration of heritage and history. Iris Chang’s book, The Rape of Nanking, affirms the importance of our history and the fact that we shall never forget the lessons we have learned from it. The impact of one person’s writing cannot be easily measured, thus I offer my deepest respect for Iris and her family. Finally, the building of a web of friends takes years, just like the building of our museum. The board decided some time ago to honor our donors and all those who have contributed funds and support to the building of our museum. I would like to thank all of the donors and supporters of the museum who came to celebrate them and their contributions on the first of December, 2007. Again, with deep appreciation, Lilly Cheng BOARD OF DIRECTORS HONORARY CIRCLE MUSEUM STAFF Dr. Lilly Cheng, President Michael Yee, Vice P President resident Marion So So,, Secretary Ruth Carpenter Dr. Alexander Chuang Diana Chuh Sawyer Hsu Donna Lee Michael Lee Dr. Teh-Hsuang (Tom) Lee Dr. Dale Lieu Dr. Polly Liew Adrian Miu Linda Tu Dr. Sandra Wawrytko Dolly Woo Jenny Benson Eleanor Bregman, Esq. Dr. & Mrs. William & Margaret Chang Dr. & Mrs. Shu-Sing & Yui-May Chang Winnie Wong Chase Peggy Cheong Drs. Shu & Kuang-Chung Chien David Du Gorman & Dolores Fong Dr. & Mrs. Y.C. & Luna Fung Jeffrey Hsieh Dr. J. Jim Hsieh Theresa Lai Dr. & Mrs. Shao-Chi & Lily Lin Betty Ma Dr. & Mrs. Harry & Constance Mow Larry & Theresa Song Celia Su Drs. Charles & Lily Wang Edward G. & Ellen G. Wong Peter & Dr. Catherine Woo Dr. & Mrs. Savio & Pattie Woo Dr. & Mrs. William & Amy Yuan Tom & Loretta Hom Dr. & Mrs. Walter & Liang C. Ku Executive Director: Dr. Alexander Chuang Treasurer: Dr. Teh-Hsuang (Tom) Lee Curator of Chinese American History: Murray Lee Museum Operations Coordinator: Norman Fong Education Coordinator: Alex Stewart Graphic Designer: Jessica Matsumoto Administrative Assistants/Docents: Alex Stewart, Mary Anne Lacaman, Mona Taghikhani, Jessica Matsumoto, Natalie Snoyman, Caitlin Chan Administration Consultant: Tom Hom Display Consultant: Daisy Kuan 2 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum CONTENTS COVER / SDCHM EVENT: DONOR APPRECIATION AFTERNOON 2 / PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 3 / MUSEUM UPDATE 4 / JAPANESE ATROCITIES IN CHINA DURING WORLD WAR II: A TALE OF THREE WOMEN 5 / THE MISSING LINK OF THE BURMA ROAD COVER CALLIGRAPHER 6 / LETTER TO SDCHM 7 / HISTORICAL PHOTO GALLERY 9 / CHINESE AMERICAN AIR FORCE VETERANS VISIT SAN DIEGO VETERANS DAY LUNCHEON 10 / MUSEUM PHOTO GALLERY 11 / MUSEUM PHOTO GALLERY 12 / THE ORIGINS OF THE CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM: PART II 13 / THE MUSING DRAGONS RACE TO VICTORY 15 / CURATOR’S CORNER 16 / APHAFIC UPDATE 17 / EDUCATION UPDATE 18 / FUNDING AND DONOR SUPPORT Winter 2008 MUSEUM UPDATE MUSEUM UPDATE By Alexander Chuang, Executive Director We have had several eventful months as we approach the end of the year. On September 29th we held our annual Moon Festival in the Museum courtyard and garden. The fair was packed with activities and enjoyed by children and adults alike. (See Page 17) On October 3rd, two busloads of Chinese American WWII veterans from the 555th Air Service Group visited the Museum. We were happy to welcome these eighty veterans and their friends with a reception as well as a tour of both the Mission building and the Dr. Museum patrons enjoy hors devours at the Donor Appreciation Afternoon. Sun Yat-Sen Extension. After six months we finally dissembled all eight cases of our exhibit in the San Diego International Airport on October 4th. The exhibit received very high praise from its viewers and Airport Art Program Manager Constance White was impressed enough to send us a letter of commendation. The Museum was proud to co-sponsor two films at the San Diego Asian Film Festival: All in This Tea and Nanking. The latter was a moving piece based on Iris Chang’s well-known book, The Rape of Nanking. The Museum also brought an exhibit on Chinese tea to the screening of All in This Tea on October 16th. On October 20th at the San Diego Dragon Boat Festival the museum’s team, the Musing Dragons, was excited to win their first race after three years of competing. Thanks to Marion So for taking charge of the team again this year, as well as Polly Liew, Alexander Chuang, Linda Tu, Lily Lin, and K.C. Chien for making the Museum’s participation financially possible. (See Page 13) The annual Fallback Festival took place on November 4th. Our booth on the Museum and San Diego Old Chinatown was manned by staff member Mary Anne Lacaman and her brother Michael. It was a very colorful event and we enjoy participating every year. On the afternoon of December 1st we held a Donor Appreciation Reception in the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen extension. About seventy donors and their guests happily socialized, enjoying the elegant setting and delicious food. We have Professor Lois Wittner and Agnes Chuang to thank for preparing the food and setting up this beautiful reception. I would also like to thank Museum staff Jessica Matsumoto, Alex Stewart and Caitlin Chan for helping to set up and serve the food and drinks. In addition, Shao-Wu and Eliza Chuang spent ten straight hours of hard work in the kitchen preparing food. Along with her significant contributions to the orchestration of the reception, Professor Wittner was also kind enough to speak at length about the historically accurate models she handcrafted for the Museum. Several of the former presidents of the Historical Society and Museum as well as former Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees made speeches as well and gave thanks to our donors. Many of them spoke about the need for the next generation to both learn about Chinese history and ensure that the Museum thrives far into the future. Many supporters were moved to make pledges toward the endowment that will ensure the longevity of the Museum, and are recognized below. We would like to thank our donors again for their generosity and ongoing support. - AC Dr. & Mrs. Alexander and Agnes Chuang $20,000 Paid Dr. and Mrs. Tom and Dorothy Lee $20,000 Paid Dr. & Mrs. Shao-Chi and Lily Lin $20,000 Paid Drs. Fah-Seong and Polly Liew $12,500 Paid Winnie Wong Chase $10,000 Pledged Drumright Memorial Fund $10,000 Paid Mr. & Mrs. Kwan L. and Marion So $10,000 Pledged Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Vivian Wong $10,000 Pledged Drs. Shu and Kuang-Chung Chien $8,000 Pledged Drs. Koun-Ping & Lilly Cheng $5,000 Pledged Dr. & Mrs. Walter & Liang C. Ku $1,000 Pledged 3 SDCHM EXCLUSIVE Japanese Atrocities in China During World War II: A Tale of Three Women By Aaron De Groot, M.A. From late June until mid-July, 2007, a group of roughly one has the bent back of an old woman with osteoporosis. It was on dozen American educators, a professor emeritus from Rutgers June 26th that she spoke about her ordeal to our group. University, the leader of the Global Alliance for Preserving the Early in the war, the Japanese military leadership feared that with History of WWII in Asia, a businessperson and a two-person film no sexual outlet, its soldiers would rape civilian women. Soon, they crew traveled in China to relive some of the worst examples of began setting up “comfort stations” - houses of forced prostitutionhuman conduct from the 20th century. in order to improve troop discipline and morale. Eventually, some The lives of the participants changed in ways that each probably 400,000 women from China, Korea, the Philippines and elsewherehas not yet fully realized. I, for one, still reflect on the trip daily known euphemistically as “comfort women” - were involved in an more than a month after it ended. A very diverse group of people- organized sex slavery complex. Often, the women had volunteered men and women, native-born Americans and immigrants, people for what they thought was work in factories or as maids to Japanese in their early twenties all the way up to age seventy - came together officers. Others were kidnapped from families. Girls from 13 to and experienced a series of personal contacts that they will the mid-40s were forced into prostitution. The ratio of comfort never forget. women to Japanese soldiers may have risen as high as 1:29. In World War II in Europe and Asia witnessed human behavior the city of Shanghai 上海 alone, there were at least 160 comfort so awful that it has since forced humanity to reconsider itself in stations. Women were required to service as many as 50 men daily. terms of its capacity for brutality. The story of the brutal Japanese The death rate among comfort women probably topped 50%. campaign in China is little known Survivors suffered mental illness, outside of China today. While “It is the Global Alliance’s hope that the victims social isolation, poor familial Auschwitz and Dachau have of the Japanese military’s atrocities during relations and tremendous personal become common parts of the WWII become more known, that Japan admit to shame. English lexicon, ‘comfort women’, plain facts of history, that the world acknowledge Mrs. Lin’s story began when the the Rape of Nanking, and Unit Imperial Japanese army invaded 1644 have meaning for a relatively the experience of Chinese martyrs so that some the island of Hainan. Lin was small percentage of Westerners. It is value — however little, however late — will tending her family’s rice field when the Global Alliance’s hope that the come from the needless suffering of millions two soldiers captured and raped victims of the Japanese military’s of people.” her. Over the next several months, atrocities during WWII become Mrs. Lin was repeatedly forced into more known, that Japan admit to plain facts of history, that the sexual activity with Japanese military personnel — often being world acknowledge the experience of Chinese martyrs so that gang-raped by two or three soldiers at a time. She lived inside a some value — however little, however late — will come from the barbwire-surrounded barracks with three other captured girls. needless suffering of millions of people. Even when sick, she was pressed into sexual activity. Barely fed and During the course of our trip we visited numerous sites of clothed, Lin’s tragedy was compounded by the fact that her own atrocities, went through several museums devoted to Japanese family partially blamed her for her horrible predicament. Mrs. Lin brutality, and spoke first-hand with numerous survivors of and also witnessed the beheading of a comfort woman who had tried witnesses to war crimes committed in China. As a way of reflecting to escape. On another nightmarish occasion, she actually witnessed on the entire trip, I’m going to focus on three women our group the brutal removal of a fetus from the body of a girl who had spoke with. Each of the women experienced a different chapter in become pregnant. Today, Mrs. Lin shows the obvious emotional the horror that was the war against the Chinese population that scars of a thoroughly brutalized victim of wartime horror. She told began in 1931 and only ended with the unconditional surrender our group she has felt isolated her entire life. She does not enjoy of Japan in September 1945. Each came away from her experience the company of others and has been treated as a marginal member with a different degree of survivorship, reflecting actual experience of her family. as well as the intellectual and emotional resources each individual In December of this year, the world will recognize the 70th could bring to bear in the post-war world. As you read my reflective anniversary of the infamous Rape of Nanjing 南京. On July 2nd, essay, I hope you get a sense for the mass suffering that was we ventured to Nanjing University to learn firsthand about the experienced just one human being at a time. Millions of victims events of seventy years ago. Besides wanting to learn more facts translate into millions of individuals experiencing a horror that about the atrocities themselves, our group asked broader questions: is all their own. The story of these three women is the story of “Why did the Rape of Nanjing have to happen?” “How could loving the cruelty of WWII in China brought down to the level of three family men — sons, husbands, fathers — commit such barbarous average, humble people. acts?” ‘What in particular triggered the events of December 1937?” Mrs. Lin is an 82-year-old woman from the Chinese province of We now know that up to 400,000 people — some POWs, Hainan 海南 Island. She was 16 years old in 1943 when Japanese but mostly civilians — died in one month seventy years ago. Imperial Army troops invaded Hainan. She is small and frail and Women were raped, people were tortured to death, and civilians Continued On Page 8 4 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum CHINESE CONTRIBUTION The Missing Link of the Burma Road By Alexander Chuang, Executive Director This section of the Burma Road has been shown in National Geographic Magazine, as well as several other publications, making it widely known to millions. The Burma Road, built by 160,000 Chinese laborers from 1937 to 1938, is about 700 miles long. The British used the road during World War II to transport war material to China before Japan was at war with Britain. Supplies would land at Rangoon (now Yangon) and were moved by rail to Lashio 臘戌, where the road started in Burma. Many books and journals mention that the Burma Road was located within the territory of Southwest China’s Yunnan Province 雲南. In fact, the road had long been regarded as a symbol of the doggedness shown by Yunnan people in the War of Resistance against Japan. In 1995, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ge Shuya 戈叔亞, a Yunnan-based expert on Southwest China’s Second World War history, joined a Yunnan TV station crew to produce a documentary about the history of the Burma Road. One of their tasks was to locate the famous road that cuts through the mountains from Kunming 昆明 to Lashio. The team traveled to several possible locations, but could never locate the road. Ge Shuya contacted Mokuyama Kohe, the editor of a photo magazine in Japan, via the Internet, who suggested that the Burma Road might be in China’s Guizhou Province 貴州 rather than Yunnan Province. From December 2001 to January 2002, Ge traveled to Lashio in search of the road nicknamed the “24-zig” after its 24 zigzag turns. The reason for the 24 tight corkscrew turns was to avoid damaging as many life-giving rice terraces as possible. Once in Lashio, Ge found a road with eight zigzag turns, but had still not found the exact road for which he was searching. A senior employee of the Bureau of Road Administration of Guizhou’s Anshun City 安 順 informed Ge Shuya that the “24-zig” may be located in yet another part of the province and suggested Ge ask local drivers if they knew of the road. After Ge Continued on Page 16 COVER CALLIGRAPHER: Mi Fei 米芾 (1051-1107 C.E.) Mi Fei was one of the four great calligraphers of the Song Dynasty 宋朝 and perhaps the best representative of the Southern School 南宗画 of landscape painting. Born in Taiyuan 太原, Shanxi 山西, he is particularly known for his paintings of misty landscapes which he created using a flat brush and large blots of ink. He wrote poetry in the style of Li Bai 李白 (701-762 C.E.) and his calligraphy resembled that of Wang Xizhi 王羲之 (303-361 C.E.). Despite his artistic genius, Mi was unpopular in the Song court. His heavy drinking, meticulous cleanliness and obsessive collecting of stones and artwork earned him the nickname “Madman Mi 米顛.” He would even display his filial piety by bowing to one rock whom he dubbed his elder brother. His son, Mi Youren 米友人, also became a famous painter in the same artistic style. Winter 2008 5 LETTER TO SDCHM Letter from Constance White, Airport Art Program Manager 6 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum HISTORICAL PHOTO GALLERY Scenes from Southwest China During the Second World War Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Pick, builder of the Ledo section of the Burma Road, Chinese troops move up the Stilwell Road in China to relieve comrades which his troops dubbed “Pick’s Pike,” sits beside the driver. When the fighting off Japanese attempts to cross the Nujiang River 怒江. convoy reached the border town of Wanting 畹町 on January 28, 1945, T.V. Soong 宋子文, brother of Mme. Chiang Kai-shek 宋美齡, cut a tape across the road, and the trucks passed onto Chinese soil. The GI’s, returning the salute, know enough Chinese to understand that “Mei-kuos 美國” means “Americans” and “ding hao 頂好,” “very, very good” This operations staff moves along a military road in unconquered China. Members of the U.S. 776th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company, build the India-Burma-China pipeline. The stretch on which they are working is in wilderness south of Warazup, Burma. PHOTOS & TEXT: The National Geographic. June 1945. Vol. LXXXVII, No. 6. page 684-685, 690, 694-695. Washington D.C. Winter 2008 7 SDCHM EXCLUSIVE Continued From Page 4 as well as captured soldiers were summarily executed. For us, was obvious. I think our entire group felt her sense of optimism one woman personalized the story of Nanjing: Shuqian Xia, or and purpose in life. She seemed to me to be driven by a genuine “Grandma Xia.” sense of faith: a word that I think is overused today. A compact woman, well on in years but looking a good 15 years When I look back over the countless memories of my China younger than her age, Grandma Xia does not look like a person trip, I am overwhelmed by so much. How does one categorize who experienced some of the worst atrocities of WWII. She is and contemplate so many images and memories? For me, one way vibrant, smiling, and confident. One would never guess that as a of thinking about the entire trip is to return to these three very seven-year-old child in Nanjing she witnessed the death of seven different ladies who each have distinct ways of approaching the immediate family members. All of eight-years-old at the time the horrors from her past. What they share is an experience from the Japanese conducted the infamous rape of her hometown; young same event in human history. Each woman remembers and feels Xia’s horrors began when her father was shot dead upon opening that experience through the unique prism of her mind and life. the front door to Imperial Army troops. Next, her mother was raped In the case of Mrs. Lin, the comfort woman, I sensed a tragically in their home. The rest of her family was butchered that day except damaged and frail soul, one who has been left with what passes for for Mrs. Xia and an older sister. She survived by hiding among the a life but has really only a facsimile of human existence. Perhaps corpses in her home until it was safe. They eventually made their because of Mrs. Lin’s extreme brutalization, but maybe also because way to the International Safety Zone, where under the protection of her lack of education and familial support, I remember this lady of John Rabe and as the most pained Robert McGee, “...young Xia’s horrors began when her father was shot dead upon person I met on the they weathered the opening the front door to Imperial Army troops. Next, her mother was trip. The word that onslaught. raped in their home. The rest of her family was butchered that day except comes to mind for But the story for Mrs. Xia and an older sister.” me when I reflect on does not end there. her: victimization. Appearing in a book written by a revisionist Japanese historian, So different was my interpretation of Mrs. Xia’s bearing and Mrs. Xia was described as the “Liar of Nanjing”. This led her to travel subsequent life. Although even younger than Mrs. Lin at the time she to Japan on four separate occasions in order to face her accuser in became a victim of Japanese atrocity, Mrs. Xia seemed to be stable, civil court and make him admit that her story indeed happened. He emotionally balanced, confident and generally happy. She had an never showed up at any of the court hearings. Grandma Xia smiles easy and authentic smile. I had a sense that she had come to terms while recounting this, and I sensed that she felt that she had won a with the tragic events of her early life. She displayed a real sense moral victory, if not a legal one. It’s hard not to admire this lady’s of purpose and pride in her attempts to tell her story and defend fortitude and fighting spirit. She told our small group that she will herself from charges of making it up. She was neither embittered “fight to the death” against the charge of lying about the events she by the murder of her family, nor her second victimization: being witnessed. Mrs. Xia’s toughness made me feel good about the cause accused of lying about it by a revisionist historian. I am proud to of seeking justice for the millions of victims of Japanese brutality. have heard her story in person and to feel a common bond with I felt a kinship with her; her cause had become my cause without her - namely, that her cause is my cause as well. When I think of my consciously thinking about it. “Grandma” Xia, the word that comes to mind is resilience. On July 7, at a Shanghai compound of the Communist Party, The final witness to wartime cruelty is Mrs. Zhu. A woman of our group attended a conference on the war crimes we had been 66 years, still standing straight and tall, smiling and dignified she studying and that are the reason for the Global Alliance’s existence. impressed our group with her commanding yet humble presence. I During a breakout session, we spoke with Mrs. Zhu Youxian. Tall, liked her positive spirit; she had the ability to make a horrific story thin and with a cheerful demeanor and broad smile that would more emotionally accessible because we could tell she herself had light up a room, this pleasant woman with a large shock of gray come to terms with it and was seeking some positive outcome from hair shared her story with us. Mrs. Zhu was born in 1941, the same it. In doing so, she allowed others to hear it and sympathize with it. year that several members of her husband’s family were killed in I won’t forget that smile or her pleasant way. A word I would affix biological attacks in the Yiwu 義烏 area. To this day, she suspects to my memory of her: dignity. that Bubonic Plague was responsible for killing her future inConveying one’s experience of such emotional events as those laws. Even funeral attendees died as a result of being exposed to we witnessed on our China tour is hard. I hope that in this essay the corpses. I was able to give you a sense of what I, as one human being, felt Mrs. Zhu is very active in the cause of bringing attention to during and after hearing the story of three very different people these war crimes. She organizes locally, attends conferences and who survived the unspeakable to share some of their stories speaks to groups. She told us that much of the effort involved in with us. educating the public comes from local - not central - government Aaron De Groot lives in San Diego and teaches social studies at the School authorities. Likewise, funding is private. What struck me about this of Science and Technology on the San Diego High School campus. He earned lady was her constant, but authentic, smile. The word that came to his master’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University. He my mind over and over was “survivor.” She was not only a survivor, is a WWII specialist who made his first trip to China with the US. Global but also someone who has thrived. Her enthusiasm for the cause Alliance group that went during the summer of 2007. 8 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum SDCHM AND THE COMMUNITY Chinese American Air Force Veterans visit San Diego By Murray K. Lee, Curator of Chinese American History On the afternoon of October 3rd, two busloads of Chinese American WWII veterans, some with their families and friends, came to San Diego from a reunion in Monterey Park to tour the USS Midway and swing by the Chinese Historical Museum during their visit. It was an opportunity for them to greet one of their own from the 555th Air Service Group: Jennings Hom. He is the former owner of the Woo Chee Chong stores and the only remaining member of the 555th in San Diego. Jennings, the eldest son of Tung Hom, grew up in San Diego as part of the Woo Chee Chong store, one of the longest running Chinese merchandising businesses in San Diego. After graduating from San Diego High School, Jennings enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Others from the community joining in 1942 included Henry photo of Chinese American veterans that Quin, James Hom, George Lee, Norman Leung, Miles Hom, Carl and Earl Kuey. Group served in China during World War II Already in the Air Corps were Harry Jair, Cheang (Harry) G. Loo, and Leung T. Hom. All of the above men except Henry Quin, James Hom, and Miles Hom went to the China-Burma-India Theater with the 14th Air Service Group (ASG). The 14th ASG was made up of close to 1,600 men of Chinese ancestry recruited from all over the U.S. The bulk of the ASG personnel were in two units: the 407th Air Service Squadron and the 555th Air Service Squadron. These units were attached to the 14th Air Force, and although all of the servicemen were Chinese, most of the officers were Caucasian. Jennings and several of his friends were first stationed at Assam in northeastern India servicing P-51 and P-47 fighter planes. This base was very strategically important, as it was the Indian origin of the “Hump,” China’s air supply lifeline and the origin of the Ledo/Burma Road, the land supply route. Jennings and his friends were soon ordered to China and joined a supply convoy traveling on the infamously dangerous Ledo/Burma Road. During the arduous four week journey to Kunming 昆明, they skidded on the treacherous mountain road, jack-knifed, and almost went over the side. In China they were assigned to a small fighter airstrip in Tushan (涂山 Duksan) of Guiyang Province 貴陽. The 555th and its sister unit the 407th were divided into small maintenance teams scattered throughout southwestern China. They serviced the planes of the American Transport Command (ATC) flying the Hump and those of the 14th Air Force. On August 22, 1945, when the Japanese formally surrendered at Zhijiang 芷江 in Hunan Province 湖南, the 555th and 407th met each other for the first time. Jennings and his friends spent Christmas at sea on the way back to Tacoma, Washington, where they were discharged. Harry Jair took another route home to San Diego: he flew the Hump to return via the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, completing an around-the-world circuit. - ML Veterans Day Luncheon By Caitlin Chan, Museum Staff The Museum was fortunate enough be able to honor several of these local veterans and many others at our twelfth annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon. Veterans and their guests trickled in throughout the late morning, happy to peruse the museum and socialize until the luncheon began. A few veterans who found each other in the garden lost no time introducing themselves and comparing war stories. About forty people, including many friends and family members, were enjoying tea and fruit in the warm sun when Dr. Chuang began the ceremonies. He first welcomed the veterans and their guests before introducing Curator Murray Lee. Mr. Lee proceeded to share his most recent research on the merchant firms Group photo of veterans at the annual luncheon of historical San Diego Chinatown, which he connected to the story of the first veteran from the community to serve in World War I. He then introduced each of the veterans so they could be honored and recognized individually for their contributions. Their number included newcomer Nanson Hwa who asked to say a few words about his experiences as the first Chinese American diver in the United States Navy. (See the next newsletter for more information on Mr. Hwa.) By the time Mr. Hwa finished speaking, Agnes Chuang had arrived with lunch from Shanghai City. As people chatted and ate, those who had finished examined the display of pictures from previous Veteran’s Day Luncheons as well as a table that Mr. Hwa had set up in the back. He had brought the helmet from his old diving gear in addition to some photographs, and was more than happy to answer people’s questions. When everyone had finished eating, space was cleared in front of the koi pond for a group picture to be taken of the veterans. As is often the case, everyone had an opinion on the logistics, like how the group should be arranged and whether or not they should take their hats off for the picture. The veterans held their smiles patiently as cameras changed hands and numerous pictures were taken. After the last picture , people gradually said their good-byes, wishing each other the best until the next time they saw each other: the thirteenth annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon at the latest. - CC Winter 2008 9 MUSEUM PHOTO GALLERY chinese american wwii air force veterans museum visit, san diego asian film festival & the san diego dragon boat festival Alex Chuang with Jennings and Mary Lou Hom at the Veterans Day Luncheon Chinese American WWII Air Force veterans of the 555th Air Service Group with Jennings Hom Alex Chuang with Marshall Chee and Chinese American Air Force veteran, Fred Gong, during their visit to museum. Roger Dong, founder of the Chinese American Heroes organization, with Alex Chuang and Murray Lee during a recent visit to the museum. Jessica Matsumoto, Lilly Cheng, Lee Ann Kim and Agnes Chuang with the museum’s tea exhibit at the San Diego Asian Film Festival Alex Chuang, Lilly Cheng, Tom Hom and Agnes Chuang at the San Diego Asian Film Festival Venerable Man-Yuan performs the opening ceremonies at the San Diego Dragon Boat Festival San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts presents APIA President Linda Tu with a plaque reconizing her efforts in organizing the annual Dragon Boat Festival. UCSD professor Susan Shirk, board member Marion So and Ron Roberts at the Dragon Boat Festival. Venerable Man-Yuan paints the eye of the dragon, ceremonially preparing it for the race. The Musing Dragons board a dragon boat before their first race. Donna Lee and Agnes Chuang man the museum booth at the NBC 7/39 Travel Expo. 10 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum MUSEUM PHOTO GALLERY fall back festival, moon festival, veterans day luncheon & the donor appreciation afternoon Mary Anne Lacaman plays Three-in-s-Row with a young Fall Back Festical attendee. Mary Anne and Michael Lacaman man the museum booth at the Fall Back Festival. Battle reenactors display their vintage weaponry at the Fall Back Festival. Jes Matsumoto tells the story of the Jade Rabbit at the museum’s Moon Festival with the help of Alex Stewart and child actors. The museum’s former education coordinator Jennifer Good with husband Mike and children Casey and Marcus at the annual Moon Festival. Marcus and Casey Good make bean sculptures at the Moon Festival. Museum members Jenny Benson and Deborah Gerlach attend the Veterans Day Luncheon at the museum. Murray Lee and Nanson Hwa give speeches at the Veterans Day Luncheon. Alex Stewart interviews Honorary Circle members Dr. & Mrs. Shu Sing and Yui-May Chang in the museum garden. Tom and Loretta Hom pose with Lily and ShaoChi Lin at the Donor Appreciation Afternoon. Former president of the board of trustees Shu Chien speaks at the Donor Appreciation Afternoon as Lilly Cheng looks on. Professor Lois Wittner discusses her models of early Chinatown businesses during the Donor Appreciation Afternoon. Winter 2008 11 SDCHM COMMUNITY The Origins of the Chinese Historical Society and Museum: Part II By Murray K. Lee, Curator of Chinese American History The Campaign to Save the Old Chinese Mission Building Aliotti of Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) also supported On June 16, 1986 CCDC held a heavily attended meeting to this concept. Gerald Trimble of CCDC thought, “The appearance discuss the Brandes study of the old Chinatown area. Out of of it might be crazy.” On August 7, 1987 CCDC voted not to that meeting, a group of individuals agreed to serve on an ad- designate the Chinese Mission Building as part of the proposed hoc committee to assist CCDC. About fifty Chinese Americans Chinese/Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District and to authorize attended. Sally Wong was instrumental in mobilizing many exploration of moving the entire structure to another site. Even Chinese seniors, especially those who resided in Horton House though Tom opposed the relocation of the mission, he said, “If and Lion Manor, just north of Chinatown. Sally said, “I went and there’s no other alternative, we’ll have to go along with it.” On talked to them about this building and our Historical Society and October 13, 1987 city council adopted the recommendations of about needing a place and needing land, and I need them to help CCDC and the Historical Site Board and established the Chinese/ me. They say, ‘What can we do? Shall Asian Thematic Historic District we sign?’’’ She had everybody sign the (CATHD). They designated 20 buildings petition and notified them when there associated with the Asian American was a city council meeting. They sat for community for the local historic register, many hours, awaiting the call of the item but they held the mission in limbo and on the agenda. referred the matter back to CCDC. In June and July of 1986, CCBA Finally on March 22, 1988, the mission submitted petitions to CCDC with was put on the historic register with the 524 signatures requesting that the understanding that it would be moved city preserve and restore the Chinese to the new Asian district. Mission and other historic buildings. There were two proposals submitted: Tom Hom wrote a letter pointing out (1) by Tom, on behalf of the Chinese the shortcomings of the Brandes report, Historical Society, transforming the noting that due to time constraints, mission into a museum and cultural Dr. Brandes wasn’t able to do adequate center and (2) by Dan Pearson, to research on the community of Chinese reconstruct the mission behind his people who lived there 50 to 75 Horton Grand Hotel next to Joe Quin’s years ago. At an advisory committee former residence. The Historical meeting in August, CCDC agreed to Site Board held to its principle that commission Milford Wayne Donaldson preserving historic buildings onsite is the to do architectural and engineering preferred solution, but if relocation was assessments of the buildings. He stated unavoidable, they preferred the Chinese that it was important to recognize the Historical Society proposal. CCDC also collective historical value of the nine preferred this proposal, although it structures of the Chinese community. Tom Hom (right) presents a historic photo of the mission required funds from the city to purchase He also reported that the buildings were building to Charles Tyson at the ceremony transferring a site. On April 12, 1988 CCDC approved the building to the Chinese Historical Society on the Society’s proposal and the city agreed in good structural condition. The campaign to save the mission August 1, 1988. to acquire the property on the corner of building began to convince city leaders of the value of preservation Third Avenue and J Street. The Society would lease the site for $1 in their efforts to redevelop the downtown. This was certainly a year for 55 years. the case in the Gaslamp Quarter Redevelopment Project, with In April 1988, the society issued its first newsletter and reported which Tom and Dorothy Hom were so intimately involved. Tom on its first election. Tom Hom was elected president and Sally served as President of the Gaslamp Quarter Association for four Wong the vice-president. Michael Yee was the secretary, Milton years. The last obstacle was Charles Tyson, the current owner of Low corporate secretary, Cathy Risser treasurer, and Dorothy the mission property. Maria Burke Lia, who represented Tyson, Hom historian. The board consisted of Peter Casey, Billy Riley, expressed strong objections to designating the building as part Alex Chuang, and Emily Cote. Tom Hom would act as a developer of the proposed Chinese/Asian Thematic Historic District in a to work with the city to transform the building into a Chinese letter to the Historic Site Board. Tyson, who wanted to build a historical and cultural museum. A special thanks was given to high-rise building on the site, argued that the building wasn’t the following people for donating their time and expertise to the even the original Chinese church. It was built in the 1920s, was a project: Joe Wong for his competent architectural drawings, Tim vandalized shell, and he added, “I find it difficult to understand Yuen and Frank Wong in engineering, Tom Hom for development the passions that seem to go beyond common sense here.” and financing, Milton Low for his legal work, Fritz Ahern in Tom and Dorothy favored keeping the building on the original construction, and Victor Ho, Will Newbern, Sally Wong, Quing site and incorporating it into Tyson’s proposed project. Donaldson Jung, Carole Lindenmulder, Winnie Chu, Al Wong, Michael Yee, showed how this could be architecturally accomplished. Kristen Daniel Chang, F. S. Chu, Dorothy Hom, and others. Also written Continued From Page 14 12 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum SDCHM EXCLUSIVE THE MUSING DRAGONS RACE TO VICTORY By Alex Stewart, Museum Staff At this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum Musing Dragons did more than just muse. After a close loss in the first round, the team with the highest proportion of senior paddlers of all fourteen crews won its first race in three years of competition. The drama in the air was palpable as the Musing Dragons fell behind early in the race, but paddled in sync through the finish line to pull ahead by the nose of a dragon. The photo finish was so close that neither team knew who had won until they reached the shore. Led by perennial captain and SDCHM board member Marion So, the team was also motivated by the enthusiasm of honorary coach and expert kayaker Dan Taylor. Students and young athletes powered most of the boats, but the museum’s venerable team included UCSD professor Susan Shirk, Tai Chi instructor Donald Tong, bat biologist Dan Taylor, designers Li Ann Wong and Erin Top row (left to right): Alex Stewart, Erin McGilvery, Dan Taylor, McGilvery, and a certain museum employee, just to name a few of Judith Ecklund, Sylvia Lim. Second row standing: Li-Ann Wong, Lillie Cheung, Donald Tong, Swanie Schmidt, Susan Shirk. Second our diverse crew. row kneeling: Raymond Cheung, Becky Tong, Marion So. Front row: Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans President Linda Maria and Ming Sai Lai. Tu, who organizes the annual event, did an excellent job bringing together the finest in Asian entertainment, vendors and dragon boat enthusiasts. Although it was a cool and cloudy day on Mission Bay, the San Diego Dragon Boat Team brightened the atmosphere with eagerness to share their sport with amateur competitors. The San Diego team, who represents the city in international competitions, gave each amateur crew a quick, pre-race lesson and provided an expert steersman and drummer during the race. While paddling may look easy from the shore, it is crucial for the entire team to move in unison on each beat of the drum. This rhythmic movement minimizes water resistance and prevents paddles knocking together, while creating the intimidating specter of sixteen people functioning as one. But before dragon boat racing became an international sport with festivals held year-round, races always took place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, or Duan Wu Jie 端午節 to commemorate The Musing Dragons paddling to victory with San Diego Dragon the death of renowned scholar-official and poet, Qu Yuan 屈原 Boat Team members drumming and steering. (340 - 278 B.C.E.). During the Warring States Period 戰國時代, he was the king of Chu’s 楚 most trusted minister until other jealous officials slandered him, causing him to be sent into exile. Qu was already despondent over this corruption when he learned that Chu’s capital had been captured by the expanding kingdom of Qin 秦, which would later found the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.E.). He poured his anguish and frustration into verse, writing “Li Sao” 離騷, or “Lament,” one of the great masterpieces of Chinese poetry. Then he threw himself into the Miluo River 汩罗江 in today’s Hunan Province 湖南 and drowned. The common people loved the noble poet so much that they raced in their boats to save him. They beat drums to scare fish away from his corpse and tossed rice wrapped in silk or bamboo leaves into the water as an offering to his spirit or the water dragon. This is the origin of the traditional Dragon Boat Festival food called zongzi 糭子, which consists of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. Though the spirit of mourning has been replaced with an atmosphere of fun, each year millions of people eat zongzi while drums reverberate solemnly and dragon boats glide majestically across the water, inspiring just a few to muse about Qu Yuan. - AS Winter 2008 13 SDCHM COMMUNITY Continued From Page 12 in this newsletter, “To Sally Wong we want to offer our sincere thanks for her tireless efforts in helping organize the Chinese Historical Society and for serving so effectively as our first president. Sally’s leadership efforts helped pave the way for our new and growing society. Without Sally we would not be where we are today.” In June of 1996, after 10 years of service to the society, Sally resigned from the board due to pressing work schedules. The board voted her the title of President Emeritus and hoped that she would continue to provide support and advice. In May 1990, the City of San Diego and Save Our Heritage Organization gave Tom Hom and the Chinese Historical Society a Neighborhood Preservation Award. It stated,“In recognition of your selection as a ‘People in Preservation’ award winner. Your contributions to our community’s architectural and historical identity are significant and valued by all San Diegans…” On July 25, 1988 Pam Hamilton of CCDC sent a The Chinese Mission building letter to friends of the Chinese March 7, 1995. community inviting everyone to a brief ceremony in front of the old mission building on August 1. Mr. Tyson would transfer ownership of the building to representatives of the Chinese Historical Society along with $50,000 for relocation expenses. After tea and cookies were served, the building was to begin a 2-½ hour move to its temporary storage site. At the ceremony, Tom Hom presented Mr. Tyson with a historic photo of the building at its 1927 dedication. The building didn’t have to be dismantled because Wayne Donaldson found that the building had been structurally reinforced when built in 1927. Inspections confirmed this, and the building was moved on August 17, 1988 and placed on an empty lot next to the CCBA building. While the mission building awaited funds and plans for its next move, the society continued to expand its programs. Gladys Lee joined the board in 1989, followed by Murray Lee in 1990. On March 1, 1990 Gladys, Murray, Dorothy Hom and Michael Yee prepared a $20,000 grant application for a photo exhibit on the history of the Chinese in San Diego and submitted it to the San Diego County Public Arts Council. Murray was assigned the project of coordinating and developing a budget for the exhibit. A work plan was submitted in early 1991, and by February, the exhibit was completed and ready for display around town. Many members of the board and society pitched in and helped complete the exhibit, titled “In Search of Gold Mountain.” The exhibit first appeared at the Chinese Food and 14 Cultural Faire during the Chinese New Year celebration at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The exhibit soon became popular at many local organizations, such as the Boosters of Old Town State Park, the House of China, the First Unitarian Church, and the U.S. Forest Service. In August of 1992, the exhibit made its first out-of-town trip to Cal State, Los Angeles for the Conference on Chinese Americans’ “Origins and Destinations.” The exhibit appeared at the “Festival of Colors” at Mesa College followed by twelve days at the County Administration building during May of 1993 in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The Society made several tours to historic sites. In May of 1991, the society in conjunction with the Southern California Historical Society made a two-day visit to Mexicali, Baja California. In October of 1993, a trip to the Bay Area included visits to Angel Island, was moved to its final site on China Camp, San Francisco Chinatown, and the National Archives at San Bruno. In April of 1994, the Gold Mountain exhibit was shown at the Bonita Mall during a Multicultural Festival. And finally, in August of 1994, the exhibit went international and stood for a week beside a Chinese-Mexican exhibit of the same name (in Spanish) at the Tijuana Cultural Center. In early 1992 the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum Planning and Management Committee was founded. Board member Dr. Alexander Chuang, who had been active with Tom Hom in getting the museum construction underway, organized the committee. After funds were raised, the building was moved to its final site and the dedication ceremony was held on January 13, 1996. At the dedication, “In Search of Gold Mountain, A Photographic History of the Chinese in San Diego” became the first of many exhibits to appear in the new Museum. From a dream, a threat to that dream, and the merging of the efforts of the right people at the right time, this dream became a reality, not only for San Diego’s Chinese American community, but for all their early Asian neighbors and friends. - ML Thanks to former society presidents Sally Wong-Avery and Tom Hom for the use of their personal files and for providing first-hand insight by way of oral interviews, and thanks to the late Dorothy Hom for her behind-the-scenes persistence in keeping the dream alive.- MKL San Diego Chinese Historical Museum SDCHM COMMUNITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH REPORT: SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2007 September 8, 2007 APHD Walking Tour Docent: Michael Yee September 20, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour SDSU Elderhostel September 25, 2007 Pfizer Moon Festival Calligraphy Demonstration September 29, 2007 7th Annual Moon Festival Annual Moon Festival for children with storytelling and activities to teach children about the Chinese Moon Festival. September 29 - 30, 2007 NBC 7/39 Travel Expo Old Chinatown & Museum Exhibit October 3, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour Chinese American Air Force Vets Docent: Alex Stewart October 3, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour Women’s History Museum Docent: Alex Stewart October 13, 2007 APHD Walking Tour Docent: Murray Lee November 8, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour SDSU Elderhostel November 10, 2007 APHD Walking Tour Docent: Murray Lee October 25, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour SDSU Elderhostel November 12, 2007 Veterans Day Luncheon This annual luncheon honors those who served in the armed forces. Approximately 40 people attended. November 4, 2007 7th Annual Fall Back Festival The museum participated in this annual event with a booth that taught children November 21, 2007 Museum and Garden Tour Museum of Man Docent: Alex Stewart CURATOR’S CORNER By Murray K. Lee, Curator of Chinese American History On September 15th, I presented a paper entitled “The Land of Fusang” at the Early San Diego Regional Conference at the Inter-American College in National City. The paper discussed the possibility of a Chinese presence in the Americas in 450 C.E. My wife Gladys and I visited the National Archives in San Bruno on September 27th to make copies of the partnership files of Chinese merchants in San Diego. They contained information about and photos of San Diego Chinatown’s businesses at the beginning of the exclusionary period in 1893 and beyond. I arranged for two busloads of Chinese American WWII veterans to visit our museum on October 3rd. They had come from a reunion in Monterey Park to visit the USS Midway Museum for the day. (See separate article on page 9) On October 6th, Gladys and I were invited to attend the unveiling of the bronze statue of “Bum” at the William Heath Davis Pocket Park. “Bum” was the dog who was rescued by a Chinese fisherman and became San Diego’s most famous canine. I was invited to give a presentation to nearly 200 students, teachers, and parents at the Chinese School of San Diego on November 3rd. The presentation, “The Beginnings of San Diego’s Chinatown,” was illustrated with historic photographs. Each attendee received a museum brochure, a Chinese Historic District Collaborative map, and a copy of an original Chinese lottery ticket. The students were challenged to learn the 80 characters on the tickets and their meanings. I also spoke at the twelfth annual Veterans Day Luncheon, which was held at the Museum on November 12th. First I posed the question, “Who was the first San Diegoborn Chinese American veteran of World War I?” To answer this, I started by sharing recent research on early Chinatown merchant firms located on and around the museum site. This lead me to point out that Ah Quin’s home, where all twelve of his children were born, had been located on the museum site. His ninth child, Henry, became a corporal in the U.S. Army and served in WWI, which answered my initial question. - ML Winter 2008 about the history of the Chinese in San Diego and how to play a traditional Chinese game. Corporal Henry H. Quin, United States Army, WWI Murray Lee with Chun Lee and Natasha Wong, assembly moderators 15 APHAFIC aphafic Update By Nancy Lo, APHAFIC President Screening of Nanking film, a great success. The new film Nanking was screened at the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) at 1:00pm, October 13th. Mye Hoang, the associate director of SDAFF thanked all the co-presenters, followed by a brief message and acknowledgement from Nancy Lo. Nancy thanked SDAFF for arranging the screening of the film as well as Robin Low for all of his efforts. Nancy expressed her hope that students in the audience might be inspired to write a report about the movie. In all, around 350 people turned out for the film, making it a full house. The audience included several teachers and close to a hundred students from San Diego High School, Torrey Pines High School, Hua Xiao, Sun Yat-Sen Chinese School, Point Loma College, the University of San Diego, San Diego State University, and Miramar College. Nanking gave a clear picture of the six weeks of horror suffered by Chinese civilians and soldiers as well as the bravery of eight foreigners who set up a safety zone, ultimately saving close to 200,000 Chinese lives. Among the foreigners were John Rabe, a German businessman and Nazi Party member; John Magee, Episcopalian minister; Dr. Robert Wilson; George Fitch who smuggled his and John Magee’s film out of the city; Minnie Vautrin, a missionary and founder of Jinling College 金陵女子学院; and Christian Kroger, a German engineer. Elderly Chinese civilians poignantly recalled what they saw during the occupation by Japan’s Imperial Army. Japanese soldiers also described what they had done to the Chinese during the occupation. This 90-minute documentary accurately told the story of what happened in Nanking and will preserve an educational legacy for all of us. After the film, there was a question and answer session with the film’s co-producer, Violet Du Feng. Our organization strives for the accuracy of history. Knowing the history is helpful in preventing such kinds of atrocities from happening again. The victims deserve justice and the Japanese government needs to come to terms with the past and issue a formal apology to all of the victims of WWII in Asia.This film was co-presented by Burkett & Wong, Association for Preserving Historical Accuracy of Foreign Invasions in China, Chinese Service Center of San Diego, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, San Diego-Yantai Friendship Society and US-China Peoples Friendship Association. The Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Nanking Massacre, 南京大屠殺七十週年紀念會 Sunday, December 9, 2007, 1:30-4:00pm Room 101 A and B, San Diego Miramar College,10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126-2999. The program included an ensemble and music performance and speakers including Professor Emeritus Pao-chin Chu 朱 葆瑨教授; Dr. Patricia Hsieh 唐釗校長, President, Miramar College; Mr. Aaron De Groot, history teacher, San Diego High School; and Colonel Frank Mason, ex-POW. We paid tribute to Nanking massacre victims, presented poster displays and sold books on WWII history. -NL Continued From Page 5 showed a few veteran drivers the photo of the road, they informed him that it was about one kilometer from Qinglong County 晴隆 in the direction of Kunming, the capital of the Yunnan Province. Once Ge arrived at Qinglong, everyone he asked about the “24-zig” knew exactly where and what it was! On March 1, Ge finally arrived at the “24-zig,” putting the mystery to rest at last. As I remember during the war, I passed this section of the highway twice. The first occasion was in 1942 when I was 8 years old. Upon arriving at the summit of the mountain, the driver stopped the car to allow us to see this momentous section. He also pointed out that several cars, mostly military trucks, had crashed here. As he explained, many soldiers tried to save gas by turning off the engine when going downhill; tragically, many did not realize that turning off the engine also shut off the power breaks, making it impossible to stop at necessary points. - AC 16 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum SDCHM EDUCATION EDUCATION UPDATE By Alex Stewart, Museum Staff This quarter the museum pursued its educational mission in a variety of venues: from the movie theatre to our own backyard. We sponsored two films at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, held our annual Moon Festival celebration in the museum garden and hosted a booth at the Gaslamp Quarter Association’s Fallback Festival: Children’s Historic Street Faire. We were also looking forward to presenting an exhibit at the Haunts, Graves and Ancestors Halloween event at Old Town State Park, but it was canceled due to the tragic wildfires. However, look for the resurrection of our exhibit on Chinese views of the afterlife next April during the Qingming Festival 清明節. The Moon Festival, celebrating the fullest full moon of the year, fell on September 27 this year, and the museum hosted its celebration just two days later. Around 60 people sampled moon cake and watched museum staff tell traditional Moon Festival stories with the help of child actors. Everyone enjoyed making bean sculptures, watching Agnes Chuang write their names in calligraphy and cutting the Chinese character for happiness out of festive red paper. To complement the crafts and storytelling, an informative exhibit illustrated Chinese legends about how the Jade Rabbit and the princess Chang’e ended up living forever on the moon. Like storytelling, film is an entertaining means of bringing popular attention to Chinese history and culture. With over 150 films from more than 15 different countries, the 8th Chinese New Year’s Special: A Dragon’s Tale Annual Asian Film Festival attracted over 15,000 attendees. Grades K - 6 / 60 minutes / $60 The museum sponsored one film about the horrific war This presentation tells the tale of how the Chinese crimes in Nanjing 南京 during WWII and another about the zodiac came to be. Through interactive storytelling, students take on roles of the different zodiac animals. sublime art of tea cultivation and appreciation. The theatre They also uncover the mythological development of the was packed during both showings, and we would like to thank Chinese dragon, learning that the dragon is a peaceful, all of the attendees for their support. benevolent creature, much revered in Chinese cultures. Nanking, which the museum cosponsored with the In celebration of the New Year, each student receives Association for Preserving the Historical Accuracy of Foreign a hong bao, or red envelope, for good luck. ***This Invasions in China, used archival footage and interviews presentation is only available in January and February. with survivors and former soldiers to transport the audience back to Nanjing in 1937, when Japanese soldiers laid waste to FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EDUCATION the city and its populace. The theatre was awash in tears as AND SPECIAL EVENTS CONTACT THE survivors recounted tales of rape, mutilation and murder for MUSEUM AT: 619.338.9888 sport. Though watching the film was emotionally draining, remembering this tragedy can help to ensure it will never happen again. The second film the museum sponsored, All in this Tea, followed American tea guru and adventurer David Lee Hoffman as he traveled to numerous tea markets and farms around Presented September to December 2007 rural China in search of the best handmade, organic teas. The museum presented a mini-exhibit on the culture of tea in the CEPS AND MUSEUM TOURS: theatre lobby with decorative Yixing 宜興 teapots and colorful illustrations. Numerous theatergoers and the tea guru himself Vincennes University 5 students gathered in the theatre lobby after the film to enjoy the exhibit Foothills Adult School 9 students and complementary tea furnished by the film’s cosponsor Edison Elementary 30 students Infusions of Tea, a La Jolla teahouse. At the Fall Back Festival, museum staff Mary Ann Lacaman taught people to play the Chinese board game, Three-in-aRow, and presented an exhibit about the museum and San Diego’s Old Chinatown. This and all the other events this TOTAL: 44 STUDENTS quarter helped show people young and old that history not only provides a deeper understanding of the modern world, but it can be fun as well. - AS BOOK YOUR CEPS TODAY! WINTER CEPS Winter 2008 17 FUNDING & DONOR SUPPORT DONOR Eleanor & Robert Bregman William & Norma M. Chan Shu-Sing & Yui-May Chang Koun-Ping & Lilly Li-Rong Cheng Shu & Kuang-Chung Chien Caroline Chinn Alexander & Agnes Chuang Alexander & Agnes Chuang Jing Jing Evans Yuan-Cheng & Luna Fung Albert Jesse, Jr. Theresa F. Lai Michele LaNoue Teh-Hsuang & Dorothy Lee Jesse Bing & Ruby Chew Lew Ling Tang Lin Shao-Chi & Lily Lin Shao-Chi & Lily Lin Kwan L. & Marion Miulam So Pat Tseng Charles W. & Linda C. Tu Sandra A Wawrytko James & Laurie Wen Randall Whitefield Savio & Pattie Woo Sharon K. Yee Subtotal CASH AMOUNT $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $50.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $100.00 $100.00 $2,000.00 $100.00 $3,027.00 $100.00 $4,000.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $500.00 $100.00 $1,000.00 $100.00 $424.50 $1,000.00 $100.00 $19,051.50 Special Event quid pro quo Donation Jenny Benson Shu-Yun & Lillian L. Chan Caroline Chinn Chee W. & Grace Chow SEPTEMBER 16, 2007 - DECEMBER 15, 2007 $88.50 $157.50 $481.50 $79.50 Alexander & Agnes Chuang Annette Crum Barbara Gill Shiao M Han Frank S. & Etta E. Hsu Char Yen & Serena Lee Chun & Donna Lee Michael & Mimi Lee Robin Leonhard Fah-Seong & Polly Liew John M. & Mary Ellen Lundsten Roxana Ou Jane Rand Nancy Soo Danny & Kitty Tow Charles W. & Linda C. Tu Ann Watanabe Sheila Weckstein David K. & Yea Fen Wong Katherine Wong Victor & Dolly Woo $385.50 $330.00 $85.50 $390.00 $79.50 $96.00 $78.00 $1,159.50 $87.00 $904.50 $1,140.00 $300.00 $82.50 $208.50 $304.50 $705.00 $270.00 $94.50 $723.00 $79.50 $135.00 Subtotal $8,445.00 Grand Total $27,496.50 ARTIFACT DONATIONS Carol K. Chang A pair of early twentieth century silver bracelets Joan S. Campbell Trust 42 snuff bottles from the late 19th and early 20th century Continued From Page 1 Although Michael Yee would have spoken next, he was not feeling well and was thus unable to attend. However Dr. Cheng made a point to note that his mother, Winnie Wong Chase, had already made the first pledge to the endowment. Dr. Chuang then directed the audience’s attention to our cumulative donation wall, where the overall contributions of all major donors are recorded and recognized our treasurer, Tom Lee who has faithfully kept track of every penny since the Museum’s inception. Dr. Chuang also announced that he and Agnes had pledged enough to meet the next level of donation, $100,000, and expressed his hope that everyone would do the same. If anyone would like to know how much they need to donate to reach the next level, please contact Dr. Chuang at the museum. A number of people were then asked to assemble at the front to be recognized for their contributions to the museum. The current Board of Directors came forward first, followed by all of the past board members and, of course, past presidents and chairpersons as well. All those in the museum’s Honorary Circle followed, and were thanked profusely for their generous and continuous/continued support. Our curator, Murray Lee, was also acknowledged for his tireless work and research. Mrs. Chuang came forward as well to be thanked for her ongoing dedication and the endless hours she has spent volunteering for the museum. The last speaker was Lois Wittner, Professor of Communications at Mesa College. She recalled how part of her interest in the museum stemmed from a sabbatical she had taken in Guangzhou 廣州. She later met Murray Lee and ended up creating several beautifully crafted dioramas that have been on display in the museum ever since. They include those of the Woo Chee Chong and Gim Wing stores as well as the Turf Club Parlor and Saloon, all of which were on display in the extension during the reception. Dr. Cheng closed with a reminder for all to honor our history. She thanked our donors for all of their contributions: past, present and future. Everyone then enjoyed wine, hors devours and each other’s company into the afternoon. Overall, an impressive $107,500.00 was pledged that afternoon towards the endowment to sustain the museum into the future. We want to thank all of our donors again, including those who were unable to attend, for their continued support of the Chinese Historical Society and Museum. -CC 18 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum UPCOMING EVENTS Chinese New Year Fair SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008 | 7:00 PM POWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ADMISSION $15 & $25 鼠 年 2008 / year of the rat FEBRUARY 16TH & 17TH 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 3RD AVENUE & J STREET FREE FOR MORE INFO CALL 619.234.7844 FOR TICKET INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JEAN TZUNG 760.744.0186 OR SHAO-WU CHUANG 858.509.1514 CEP GIFT CERTIFICATES NOW AVAILABLE! Wondering what to get the kid who has it all? Give the gift of Chinese culture and history. $60 buys an attractive gift certificate for your (or the child’s) choice of any CEP for his/her entire class, an explanatory letter to the teacher and a brochure describing all of our entertaining lessons. Book your New Year CEPs today; our calendar is filling up fast! For more info contact the museum. ONGOING EVENTS APHD WALKING TOUR $2.00 San Diego Chinese Historical Museum Take a walking tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District of downtown; every second Saturday of the month. Please RSVP. 619 338 9888 or www.sdchm.org Planned Giving To leave a legacy for yourselves and for your family, please consider adding the museum to your will or trust. Special recognition will be given for donors who make the museum a part of their “family.” Please call Alex Chuang if you are interested at 619.338.9888. Winter 2008 EXHIBIT FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR A Glimpse of Chinese Culture and Art DR. SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL EXTENSION OPENS DECEMBER 2007 19 Annual Membership Active Active Couple Senior (60+) Senior Couple Student $25 $40 $20 $30 $10 Life Membership Life Life Couple Senior Life (60+) Senior LIfe Couple Corporate $250 $400 $200 $300 $750 SDCHM MEMBERSHIP 2008 BECOME A MEMBER TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP Please return your membership application with cash or check payable to: San Diego Chinese Historical Museum 404 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 T: 619 338 9888 F: 619 338 9889 www.sdchm.org [email protected] Welcome to all of our new and returning members to the San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum! We appreciate your support, as well as your prompt renewals of membership. **Members receive quarterly newsletters, invitations and discounted admission to all special events/openings, as well as complimentary general admission to both the SD Chinese Historical Museum and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension.** FILL OUT FORM AND CUT OFF NEW MEMBER RENEWAL *Please fill out form completely and check appropriate boxes* ACTIVE ACTIVE COUPLE SENIOR (60+) SENIOR COUPLE STUDENT LIFE LIFE COUPLE SENIOR LIFE (60+) SENIOR LIFE COUPLE CORPORATE NAME ............................................................. SPOUSE ................................................................................................. CHINESE NAME ........................................... SPOUSE’S CHINESE NAME ............................................................... ADDRESS ........................................ CITY ................................................................ STATE .................................... ZIP CODE ........................................... E-MAIL ............................................ HOME PHONE ............................................. WORK PHONE ..................................................................................... OCCUPATION ............................................... COMPANY/SCHOOL .......................................................................... .
