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Remarks of
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L.
Chao
Welcoming Chinese-American Veterans of World War II
to the U.S.
Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
Friday, May 26, 2006
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| Secretary Chao welcomes Chinese-American Veterans
of World War II to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL photo/Neshan
Naltchayan) |
It is my great pleasure to welcome to the Department of Labor this
distinguished group of Chinese American veterans and their families.
With us today are veterans of:
- The 14th Air Service Group of the U.S. Air Force,
- The 987th Signal Company of the U.S. Army, and
- The U.S. Army Air Corps — part of the legendary Flying
Tigers.
As Memorial Day approaches, it is a fitting opportunity to honor the
contributions of all veterans, including Chinese American veterans who are part
of the Greatest Generation, for their role in helping our country achieve
victory in World War II.
As World War II approached, numerous Americans heeded their patriotic
fervor to defend freedom and democracy and volunteered to serve without waiting
for their country to officially enter the war.
One of these was the American Volunteer Group, formed by General Claire
Chennault, which began training in 1941 in Rangoon. It has become famous in
America as the Flying Tigers.
Two of the three Flying Tiger squadrons were deployed to Kunming, China,
to protect the Burma Road, which at that time was the only ground route into
China.
Although greatly outnumbered in the air and operating under adverse
conditions, the Flying Tigers achieved an impressive record against the enemy,
including shooting down 286 Japanese planes.
Other Chinese Americans here today saw action in similar, difficult
conditions.
The 987th assisted the American Army Infantry in working with Chinese
Army units, and were deployed to remote and dangerous locations, sometimes
traveling on horseback!
The 14th Air Service Group specialized in ground crew and crash
recovery, often seeing action just a few miles from the front — enduring
intense shelling and firefights. The 14th ASG drove the Burma Road, flew over
the mountains, often without bomber protection, and only side arms for
protection.
So it a great pleasure to honor the sacrifices, patriotism and service
of these Chinese American patriots to our country and to welcome them and their
families to the Labor Department.
As some of you may know, the Labor Department plays a special role in
protecting the rights of veterans in the workforce and in helping veterans
obtain job training and employment.
Supporting those who have helped defend our freedom is one of the
Department's highest priorities.
I know that you have a full day of activities planned here in
Washington, D.C., culminating in a banquet on Sunday, at which Madame Anna
Chennault will speak.
So I hope you and your families have a wonderful
day.
And thank you for everything you are doing to help others appreciate the
sacrifices and tremendous contributions that Chinese-American veterans made to
our country's victory in World War II.
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