Memorial of Post 3956 and Christina Lim


Post 3956 First Commander David Wong at dedication of colors, 5/18/1958

VFW 3956 flag in Oversea Chinese Museum in Jiangman

By Edward Yu

Oakland Lodge has been a big supporter for the Chinese American veterans, for years the East Bay Chinatown Post 3956 of Veterans of foreign Wars was having its meeting at our Lodge until 2009, when the Post was consolidated with the San Francisco Chinatown Post 4618. The history of the Post 3956 was written by the late Christina Lim, daughter of one of the chartered members Harry Lim, who had served in China (Flying Tiger) during WWII. Aside being a big supporter of the veterans Christina Lim was also a supporter of Oakland Lodge, we had worked on a few veteran’s projects together, and she had promised to help with our convention this year. We last met at our Independence Day senior luncheon celebration last year (2012) and she lost her battle to breast cancer in October, after she had helped with the program at the annual flying tiger reunion in September. Post 3956 held its last anniversary celebration on May 18, 2008, exactly 50 years after it was dedicated on May 18, 1958. I am proud being a member of this organization and was much honored to serve as its post commander for its last six years. Today the history of Post 3956 is on display in Oversea Chinese Museum in Jiangmen.



George Wong, Bea Wong, Edward Yu

A Tribute to B

By Edward Yu

“Edward! I thought we were friends? How come you don’t call me anymore?” B’s voice was bursting through the receiver.

“OK, I don’t want to ‘cheung hay’ (long-winded), I know you are busy...” Then we would go on for another fifteen twenty minutes.

B, as we all know, is the name that everybody knows, everybody I mean everybody. She is one of the very few people I know who had such a large network of friends, friends from all backgrounds. She said she even knew my parents from way back. She was well respected and had received many awards and recognitions from many organizations and elected officials, and she was elected "Mother of the Year" in Oakland.

I used to consult her about C.A.C.A. and other community matters, and I learned a great deal from her during many conversations with her over the phone. She would always give me many opinions and suggestions, and yes, many times complaints, but as always she ended with, “but you are the president, you do what you want, you make the final decision, but do the right thing...” Anyone can tell you, if you have ever spoken to B on the phone, she sounded so energetic and pleasant, even though when she was not feeling well, one time she said bluntly, “...s__t! Edward, it is no fun being old...dam...” And she would blast out laughing on the other side. Her laughter was so familiar and had touched so many of us, and we missed it.



Ken cutting the cake at the 50th Anniversary of former VFW East Bay Chinatown Post 3956

Remembering Ken Wong

By Edward Yu

Ken was the president of Oakland Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) from 1974 to 1975, 1989 to 1990, and 1996 to 1997; he also served as the Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States, East Bay Chinatown Post 3956 (VFW), from 1967 to 1968, and from 1992 to 2004. He was a great leader of our community – advocating for civil rights and benefits for veterans.

When I first joined the VFW and CACA, one of the very first persons who welcomed me whole-heartedly was Kenneth Wong. He not only handed me a copy of the clubhouse keys a day after I was sworn in, but he also accepted me without any doubt or misgivings. I later learned that that was Ken Wong – that was who he was – accepting. Soon after I joined VFW and CACA, it was easy for Ken to be my friend and mentor.

One of the many things that I love about Ken was his humor -- he always knew when and how to crack a joke. Wherever it was, at a mahjong table or during conversations, he would argue over a penny at the mahjong table, but would give you a dollar after he won. He made me laugh. He was a man of principles and he was also a generous man.

I will miss him dearly.

My Memories of Freeman and Mary Chan

By Edward Yu

From left: Edward Yu, Mary Chan, Sue Yu

The Chinese magnolia tree that was in the corner of the small yard of the Chinese Community United Methodist Church is gone. For almost a hundred years, it had provided the best fragrance for the people of Chinatown. In the summer its fragrance would spread over the whole block, where passers-by would rest under it and look up to admire its beauty. Some would stand on their toes to try to reach up and pick some flowers from the overhanging branches. Some would even pick up the fallen petals from the ground, bring it up to their nose, and sniff hungrily. Everybody loved that tree, everybody remembers that tree. That Chinese magnolia is gone forever, however it has left us with many fond memories.

I have only known Mary and Freeman through CACA for a very brief five years, but it seems like I have known them for much longer. During my first term as president, Mary and Freeman accompanied me to attend the Salinas CACA anniversary. It was about an hour and a half drive each way; we took advantage of it to have a chance to get to know each other. We shared our families’ stories, CACA, WA Sung and Chinatown experience. Mary chaired our national essay contest for many years. She was very thorough in taking pictures of the participating students for our bulletin board. Mary and Freeman attended our meeting diligently and had dinner at the same table every time. They were always together. After the meeting I would usually stay and chat with them while they were waiting for their ride. About a month before Freeman passed, it was through one of those chats that I learned that the Chinese magnolia tree was planted by Freeman’s father when Freeman was just a kid.

Shortly after Freeman’s funeral, I walked by the church and I noticed that the tree had dried up. I walked by it again after Mary’s funeral, the workers were there cutting down and hauling the tree away. Mary and Freeman left us with just as much as the Chinese magnolia tree had---gifts of wonderful and fond memories.