2021 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Program Book

2020 Rose Parade Float: American Heroes
New England Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony
Faneuil Hall Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11 AM
Master of Ceremonies
Posting of Colors
National Anthem
Robert Santiago, Commissioner of Veterans’ Services, City of Boston
U.S.S. Constitution Color Guard
Jennifer Chin, Granddaughter of Wing Y. Chin, U.S. Army Air Forces
World War II Veteran
Pledge of
Major Jennifer Ng, Intelligence Officer, U.S. Air Force
Allegiance Matthew Seto, Past Commander, American Legion Chinatown Post 328
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September 2, 2020 marked the 75 th Anniversary of America’s Victory in World War II. The Chinese
American Heritage Foundation (CAHF) proudly sponsored “American Heroes” a 75 feet long float
which won the “Extraordinaire Award” in the 2020 Rose Parade.
Invocation
Opening Remarks
Keynote Address
Guest Speakers
Steven Chin, Pastor Emeritus, Boston Chinese Evangelical Church
Son of Wing Y. Chin, U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Veteran
Cheryl Poppe, Secretary, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services
Charlie Baker, Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kim Janey, Mayor, City of Boston
Stephen Lynch, Congressman, Massachusetts 8 th District
Mark Takano, Congressman, California 41 st District
Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Ed Flynn, City Councilor, City of Boston, U.S. Navy Veteran
William S. Chen, First Chinese American 2 Star General, U.S. Army, Retired
Son of Moon Chen, U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Veteran
Our float paid homage to the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women of the “Greatest
Generation” who served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine
Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Merchant Marine, and also those on the home front who
worked in factories, shipyards, military industries, farms, etc. Special tribute was paid to our 20,000
Chinese American World War II Veterans who defend and protect America's freedom and democracy.
These veterans join past Congressional Gold Medal recipients: Filipino World War II Veterans, the
Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion and Nisei 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Women Air Force Service
Pilots (WASP), the Tuskegee Airmen, Native American Code Talkers, the Crew of the USS
Indianapolis, the Monuments Men, and the Military Intelligence Service, etc. Our float riders and
walkers were a diverse representation of Congressional Gold Medal recipients and descendents.
Co-Founders: Esther Zee Lee and Wilson Lee
Board of Directors: Ai Cheng Goh, Kin Yan Hui, Esther Lee (Chair), Dr. Regan Wei Quan, and Colette Yeung
Senior Advisors: Retired U.S. Army Major General William S. Chen, Retired U.A. Army Major General Robert G.
Lee, David Lei, Retired U.S. Air Force Major General Darryl Wong, Retired U.S. Army Major General Stephen
Tom, and Margaret Yee
Ambassadors: Virginia Ng, Tom Fong, Ding Bong Lee, Myron Lee, and Kenny Yee
Chief Information Officer: Kin Yan Hui; Graphic Designer: Jaina Wong; Contributing Photographer: Ken Fong,
O.C. Lee and Corky Lee; Artists in Residence: Brandon Lau and Thomas Ng; Creative Advisor: Jennifer Kwan
Bronze Star Medal
Presentations
Remarks
Congressional Gold Medal Presentations
Special
Presentations
Sponsors
Remarks
Closing Remarks
Armed Forces Medley
Retirement of
Colors
Benediction
Thomas Shee Fun Chin, Private 1 st Class, 42nd Infantry Division in Europe
Jee W. Horn, Private, 24 th Infantry Division in the Philippine Islands
Melanie Chan, National President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance
Congressman Mark Takano, C.A.C.A. Boston and Chinese American
Heritage Foundation Officers
Eugene Welch, Executive Director, South Cove Community Health Center
Helen Yuu, Daughter of Joseph Yuu, U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Veteran
Yuu Family
Ai Cheng Goh, President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston
U.S.S. Constitution Color Guard
Steven Chin, Pastor Emeritus, Boston Chinese Evangelical Church