Service Member's Corner

December 2023 Update

We hope everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends and delicious food.

 

November was a busy month for Cathay Post #186. We said farewell to Gene Moy, Chinese American World War II veteran at the Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle. Cathay Post #186 members were part of the Color Guard at his funeral. And a big thanks to The American Legion Kent Post #15 for being his Honor Guard at the gravesite with a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of Taps.

 

We had our first ever fundraising online auction for the first two weeks of November. We were able to achieve 80% of our goal of $10,000. Thank you to all the generous donors of auction items, monetary donors, the bidders, and the people who coordinated and ran the auction. The money we raised helps fund our mission of supporting the veterans of Cathay Post #186, their families, and the local community.

 

The Post also pursues grants for fundraising. We recently applied for and received the Local Heroes Grant from GESA Credit Union for $5,000. We have allocated $2,500 for Cathay Post #186’s veterans service programs and $2,500 for Cathay Post #186’s Hometown Heroes biennial event partnered with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.)--Seattle Lodge.  

 

Cathay Post #186’s Season of Giving includes supporting with monetary donations or participation in Wreaths Across America, Toys for Tots, and the Costco Chicken Food Drive. Wreaths Across America will be at many of our local cemeterys to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud on December 16, 2023, at 9:00 am. Toys for Tots provides toys for deserving local children. The Costco Chicken Food Drive provides roast chickens to the Asian Counseling & Referral Service  (ACRS) food bank in the Chinatown International District.

 

Our Post continues to increase with our latest addition: Josh Mar, son of Commander Hayden Mar, who upon being commissioned an officer in the US Marine Corps joined Cathay Post #186. He marks the third generation of the Mar family to be a member of the post. His grandfather Jimmy Mar, a past commander, was one of the original founders of the Post.

 

Veterans Day was observed on November 11th. The city of Auburn, WA remembered and honored our state’s veterans and active-duty personnel with its annual Veterans Day Parade with over 200 units and nearly 6,000 parade participants, including 25+ marching bands, military vehicles, veterans' units, and honor guards.

 

We did not have a  monthly meeting in November because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be having our end-of-the-year Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 13th starting at 5:30 pm. Please join us and bring a White Elephant gift totaling no more than $15.00 for our gift exchange. 

 

Robert Dela-Cruz

1st Vice Commander 

American Legion Cathay Post #186


Please join us for our Annual Christmas Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.


Post Commander Haydon Mar will hold a short "meeting" and then it's Party Time!


Cathay Post will provide a crispy roasted Lechon pig and everyone can bring a side dish for the potluck. There will also be a "white elephant" gift exchange. Please limit the gift value to $15.00.

See you on December 13th.

Cathay Post #186 named as recipient of Gesa Credit Union's Local Heroes Grant Award



Seattle, Washington (November 2023) - Cathay Post #186 was chosen by the Gesa Community Foundation as a recipient of Gesa Credit Union's Local Heroes Grant Award, receiving $5,000 in funding.  With the award money, Cathay Post #186 plans to use $2500 to fund their AAPI Hometown Hero Celebration and $2500 to fund their veteran service programs.  


“Gesa is honored to support the Local Heroes in our community whose selfless

dedication and unwavering commitment betters the lives of those across

Washington,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. “We are inspired by the remarkable efforts of American Legion Cathay Post #186 that continue to make a positive and lasting impact, and we’re thrilled to honor their work with our Local Heroes Grant award today.”


Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program offers funding to organizations that assist Local Heroes in Washington, such as firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, teachers and veterans. This year, 42 organizations were awarded through the program. Launched in 2021, Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program has provided more than $1,000,000 to 108 organizations across Washington state.


"We are very grateful to Gesa Credit Union for their generosity.  We were also recipients of their Local Heroes grant in 2022 which helped us finance our very first AAPI Hometown Hero Celebration.  We plan to use their 2023 grant to continue to make a positive impact to our veteran service programs, our military and first responders during our Hometown Hero Celebration" said Adjutant Kent Wong.

Cathay Post #186 Historic Moment: 3 Generations of Military Service


On Saturday, November 18, 2023, history was made. Three generations of the Mar family have served or are currently serving in the United States military and are also members of American Legion Cathay Post #186!


Josh Mar, son of current Cathay Post Commander, Haydon Mar, was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. The ceremony took place at the Officer Candidates School (OCS) at Quantico Marine Corps Base.


Immediately after his commissioning ceremony, Cathay Post Adjutant, Kent Wong, gifted 2ndLt Mar with a membership into the American Legion Cathay Post #186.


2ndLt Mar's father, Haydon Mar, is our current Cathay Post #186 Commander. Haydon served in the U.S. Army in the Dental Corps. His grandfather, James "Uncle Jimmy" Mar was a highly decorated World War II Army veteran, founding member and former Post Commander of Cathay Post #186.


2ndLt Josh Mar is now attending The Basic School (TBS) where all newly commissioned USMC officers are taught the basics of being a Marines Corps officer.


We congratulate the Mar family for their legacy of service to our country and their past, current and future contributions to our Cathay Post #186.

On November 4, 2023, we bid farewell to Gene S. Moy. Gene was 106 years old when he passed away. The funeral and internment took place at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.  


He was a U.S. Army WWII Veteran, a life member of the American Legion Cathay Post #186. We will never forget that Gene served our country with honor and bravery. We bid farewell with gratitude, respect and love. 


Special Recognition:

THANK YOU!

Thank you for donating to Cathay Post #186’s online fundraising auction: November 1-13, 2023.

We achieved over 80% of our goal, which is excellent especially considering that this is the first time we used an online auction as a means for fundraising. Your interest in our organization helps us to continue our mission of supporting our veteran members, their families, and the local community with various endeavors such as providing academic scholarships, sponsoring entrants to the Washington State Oratorical Contest, the Evergreen Boys State and Evergreen Girls State Summer Programs, and partnering with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance for the Hometown Hero Celebration event honoring first responders and active-duty military of Asian American Pacific Islander descent.

We deeply appreciate your generous support.

With gratitude,

- Cathay Post #186


Thanks to our Generous Business & Corporate Donors who supported our Auction.


Thanks To Our Generous Financial Donors:  




Thanks To Our Generous Auction Item Donors:  




Our Gratitude For Your Support

We are very grateful for all of our generous donors and donations.  We appreciate your support with promoting our organization and ensuring that we can continue to "Strengthen America."


- Cathay Post #186 Auction Committee



Season of Giving - Jerry's Costco Roasted Chicken Drive


Cathay Post #186 member, Jerry Q. Lee is a living example of "Veterans Strengthening America."  After his retirement as CEO of MG2 Architecture, Jerry and his wife devoted their lives to charity work in the local area. One of the charities he founded is the annual Costco Rotisserie Chicken drive that takes place during Thanksgiving and Christmas.


In 2009, Jerry recalls witnessing many people lined up in 17-degree weather outside the Asian Counseling and Referral Service food bank in Seattle’s Chinatown. He and a friend made calls to gather funds and contribute more than 400 roasted chickens to supplement the food bank’s meals. Jerry continues this tradition twice a year, every Thanksgiving and Christmas.


This year will be Jerry's 15th year of distributing Costco's rotisserie chickens. Cathay Post #186 is proud to support Jerry with donations collected from members and the post. This year, we will help fund Costco Chicken distributions at the ACRS Food Bank, Kimball Elementary, and at the Southeast Senior Service Center.


Photos from the ACRS Food Bank are attached below. 450 Costco Chickens were distributed the day before Thanksgiving (20231122).


Jerry, during this Season of Giving and this special time of gratitude, we are very thankful for you and the positive impact you’re making to our community.


“Veterans Strengthening America.”

Photos from our October Post Meeting (20231025)


✯✯  Fantastic Potluck

✯✯  Meeting New Members and Guests

✯✯  Post Everlasting Ceremony: Gene S. Moy 1917-2023

✯✯  Outstanding Guest Speaker: CDR Wil Painter, USNR (Retired)

Adjutant Kent Wong had the honor and privilege to attend the funeral service of U.S. Army Private Wing O. Hom, representing Cathay Post #186.  


PVT Wing Hom enlisted in the U.S Army from Boston in 1943.  He was Killed In Action while serving in Italy in 1944. PVT Hom was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Puple Heart. He was laid to rest in Brooklyn, NYC with his parents.                               Photo Credits:  Kent Wong

Welcome to the Cathay Post #186 Family...  

Note of Thanks to Sergeant-At-Arms Tony Chinn


Tony Chinn, is Cathay Post #186's Sergeant-at-Arms.  

We appreciate all you do for the Nisei Veterans Committee and for us.   From LED light laser engravings, custom embroidered vests, halyard repairs, Sergeant at Arm duties and everything else in between.

“Old Glory….Long May She Wave!”

Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships (the USS Arizona and the USS Utah) and destroyed 188 aircraft.

On Aug. 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Details about the 82nd commemoration ceremony at the National Parks Pearl Harbor National Memorial  and other commemorative events are provided on the official Pearl Harbor Events page.


Rice Collection

There are many people in our community that experience food insecurity daily.  As an American Legion post who is already doing great things to positively impact our community, we are asking you to consider donating small bags of rice for our local food bank.  This will be our on-going food drive to help feed the hungry.  Any gifts of rice will go directly to the our local area food banks who will, in turn, distribute to community members in need.  We will keep track of how many pounds of rice collected for the next 12 months.  Thank you for feeding the hungry with your generous gift.


"Veterans Strengthening America"  



Consider volunteering your time and resources to make a positive impact in our community.  Please click the button below if you want more information about volunteering and "donation matching."  Thank you.  


ACRS Food Bank Helper:  Ongoing High Need  

Help the most revisited food bank in King County serve culturally familiar food to those in need.  The Asian Counseling and Referral Service Food Bank needs help with:  Prepping grocery bags for delivery; Assembling and packaging food; Loading and unloading food into delivery vehicles; Supporting with organization and light cleaning within the facility; (Fridays and Wednesdays) Handing out food to clients.  Volunteer for a 3 hour shift.

 

Toys For Tots:  Help us Deliver Hope to a Child in Need…

 

MISSION: The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

GOAL: The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children.

FOUNDATION OVERVIEW: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.

 

Wreaths Across America:  December 16, 2023

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 4,000+ locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Anyone who wants to offer a small gesture of gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy can volunteer at a wreath laying ceremony to assist in saying veteran names aloud and thanking them for their service.  www.Wreaths Across America.org

 

Costco Chicken Drive:  Christmas 2023 

Donate to Jerry Lee's annual Costco roast chicken drive during Christmas.  Jerry said "it's pretty straight forth...my friends just donate $125 and I buy 25 chickens from Costco. All the donors/volunteers come and hand out the chicken to the recipients at the ACRS food bank...usually about 450-500 roasted chickens."  This annual event started in 2009 when Jerry drove by the ACRS food bank and saw the long lines for food that year.  Jerry Lee is a member of Cathay Post #186.



EVERGREEN BOYS STATE


Cathay Post #186 is excited to sponsor a Evergreen Boys State delegate.  Please help us promote Evergreen Boys State!  We will select a "rising senior" of the highest quality to ensure a successful Boys State session.   If you know a student that is interested, please tell them to check out the information posted at the Evergreen Boys State website at www.evergreenboysstate.org.  Selection will be managed by our Scholarship Committee.  

Evergreen Boys State is held from Sunday, June 16 through Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, Washington.

These DOD photos are to remind us of all our brave men and women who are serving on the "frontlines" to maintain peak combat readiness.  

Loading Up

Airmen and civilians prepare to load satellites onto a C-5 Galaxy aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 16, 2023. The satellites are equipped with high-resolution radar systems, which will provide the U.S. military with worldwide information in any weather condition.

Veterans Helping Veterans

Free "handyman" help for Cathay Post veterans and widows of former members on minor home repairs.  If you have any minor home repairs needs, please contact us for a free assessment.

We are NOT licensed, bonded or insured experts.  But we are willing to assist with minor installation of home safety devises such as hand rails, grab bars, change high ceiling light bulbs etc.

Please email Adjutant Kent Wong if you have a potential project for our team.  Thanks.    

Veterans Helping Veterans! 


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  See meeting changes in ***RED.  

The National Guard Birthday: Dec. 13, 1636

The 387th birthday of the National Guard may surprise you. The National Guard official site lists the official date as Dec. 13, 1636.  This means that National Guard is older than the United States Army.  

The 387th National Guard Birthday will be observed on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.
For more information, check out the Veterans.com National Guard Birthday article.


We Are "Foo Dogs" - Guardians & Protectors!


Cathay Post #186 members are "Guardians and Protectors" of AMERICAN VALUES and PATRIOTISM!  


Which means we advocate for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in memorial events.

Tax Deductible Donations

"VETERANS STRENGTHENING AMERICA"
Cathay Post #186 is making a positive impact.  Here are a few examples:

You can help us achieve our mission with a tax-deductible donation.

To donate cash, you can send us a check made payable to "American Legion - Cathay Post #186".  If you want your gift used for a specific purpose by indicating that purpose either in the memo line or in a letter to us.

Contact us if you want to add a bequest in your Will.   We can help you include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to Cathay Post #186 as part of your estate plan.

Donations to American Legion Cathay Post #186 are Tax Deductible:

If you have any questions about donations, please contact Cathay Post Adjutant, Kent Wong. 


Submit Your Intent to File a Claim

The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) is the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations. VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to file a claim — or submit their intent to file a claim — for PACT Act-related benefits now. If you notify VA of your intent to file before Aug. 10, 2023, you may be able to get retroactive payments to Aug. 10, 2022, when the PACT Act became law. Learn how to let VA know of your intent to file.  Go to:  https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/

BE A MEMBER OF CATHAY POST #186 

& THE AMERICAN LEGION


The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

The American Legion's success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.


If you have served at least one day of active military duty since

December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion.


Come to our meeting and check us out.  If you want to join the Cathay Post #186, please contact Adjutant Kent Wong and he can sign you up.    

Let's make a difference in our Community, State and Nation.    

"Veterans Strengthening America"