Correspondent asked:“Why do you think we should celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression?”

J Vinyard responded:“Why do you celebrate your birthday?”

From September 1st-5th 2015, International City-Cooperation Center hosted US “Flying Tigers” veteran delegation who came to China at the invitation of Embassy of China in the US to attend “9·3” commemoration. The delegation consisted of 38 people, including 14 US Flying Tigers and the Hump Pilots, 2 family members of deceased veterans, 2 retired US senior generals, and 20 accompanying persons. During their visit, all delegates attended “9·3” commemoration, reception and gala performance; in addition, they paid a courtesy call to Max Sieben Baucus, American Ambassador to China. It’s worth mentioning that on September 2nd, President Xi Jinping presented a medal to one of our delegates J Vinyard at the medal ceremony. Ministry of Defense of China sent a representative to pay a special visit to and express regard and respect to the veterans on behalf of PLA Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui. Besides, during their stay in Beijing, some veterans accepted interviews from CCTV, Xinhua News, etc.

On September 2nd, when J Vinyard, a 92-year-old former US hump pilot accepted his medal from President Xi Jinping, he said excitedly: “Great thanks to Chinese government and Chinese people for not forgetting us. Thank you for inviting and reuniting us in Beijing on V-J day. China and US helped each other in history, and we should be united even more today to help realize a peaceful and stable world. I will be dedicated to Sino-US friendship for the rest of my life.”

That afternoon, President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC specially visited the delegation, and delivered the 70th anniversary medals from China State Council to every veteran. In the meantime, Madam Li also adorned every delegate with rainbow peace dove scarf. With tears filled in their eyes, the veterans said emotionally: “for all those years, China didn’t forget us, and we will never forget China. It’s like our second home, and our future generations will help make Sino-US friendship last forever.”

Although it was hot on military parade day, veterans were in extremely good mood. While watching the parade, they praised every now and then, and some of them gave the thumbs up, saying in Chinese: Good! Very good! After the parade, veterans said with emotion:“70 years ago, we came to the badly battered China to help fight against Japanese aggression; 70 years later, when we were on Tian’anmen square, heard the powerful anti-Fascist songs and witnessed the valiant Chinese army, we felt so happy for China’s development. Incredible, just incredible! ” When President Xi Jinping announced that China will cut the number of its troops by 300,000, veterans unfeignedly said: “this shows China’s confidence, power, and its firm belief and will of pursuing the path of peaceful development.”

At the night of September 3rd, when veterans saw the words of “America Air Force Volunteer Group” showing on the big screen in the “Victory and Peace” gala performance, all delegates were thrilled and some of them even burst into tears: “we were gratified to help China when it was going through hard times.”

It was raining in Beijing on September 4th. Comparing the bright sky on September 3rd with heavy rain after the parade day, veterans said: “Chinese government and Chinese people didn’t forget us. What they did yesterday has moved the world. Good, very good！” On the same day, Max Sieben Baucus, American Ambassador to China, met with the delegation. All staffs in the embassy lined up to welcome the veterans. “We feel thankful to Chinese government for the invitation and warm reception. We are very moved.” said by veterans to the ambassador.

Since most staffs and volunteers receiving the delegation were young people who were unfamiliar with the history of Sino-US united front against Japanese aggression, we especially arranged the interview “Oral History”. In the conversation, young people witnessed the heroes who sacrificed for saving China, and heard all those distant but real touching stories. For them, it was a spiritual baptism.

On September 4th, the night before the delegation’s departure from Beijing, we held a special reception for them. At the time they were seated, every moment of them in Beijing showed up on the projection screen. Some people smiled, some slightly clapped, some wiped tears from their eyes...Afterwards, each one of them was given a photo album recording their visit in Beijing as a gift and memory.  

In the morning of September 5th, it was raining again. Jack Bond, brother of Flying Tigers Fighter Ace Charles Bond, gave every staff a Flying Tigers pin as a thank you gift. “This visit will become my most cherished memory, and I will never ever forget!”

US WWII veterans have great affection to China. As time passes by, they are getting old, but their love for China will continue in the heart of their future generations and become the seed of Sino-US friendship.

That is what the veterans think of the meaning of attending “9·3” commemoration--it’s as important as celebrating their own birthdays.