Service Member's Corner
JulY 2023 Update
COMMANDER'S COMMENT
Hello CP 186 members,
Join us for our upcoming meeting on June 28th at the NVC Memorial Hall
For God and Country,
Blessings,
Haydon Mar, Commander
Cathay Post #186
Next General Membership Meeting:
Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at the NVC Memorial Hall.
Potluck: 6:30 pm. Meeting 7:15 pm
If you have any agenda items for consideration, please contact Post Commander, Haydon Mar a week prior to the meeting. Thank you.
Haydon Mar: Email: Commander@CathayPost186.org Cell: 206-313-8555
Memorial Day Ceremony at Hing Hay Park
We appreciate the incredible support by many of you for our annual Seattle Chinatown-International District Memorial Day Ceremony. We are grateful to our keynote speaker, the Honorable Andrea Chin, Seattle Municipal Judge for her insightful words of remembrance.
Our Distinguished Visitors:
The Honorable Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Senior Liaison, The White House
The Honorable Adam Smith, U.S. House of Representatives, Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee
The Honorable Bob Hasegawa, Washington State Senator, 11th Legislative District, Majority Caucas Chair
The Honorable Sharon Tomiko Santos, Washington State Representative, 37th Legislative District, Education Committee Chair
The Honorable Janice Zahn, City of Bellevue, Councilmember
Lt Col Mike Yaguchi, Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Commander
Special Thanks:
Chong Wa Benevolent Association, numerous family associations and guilds
Seattle Police Department
Niesei Veterans Committee
Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team
Every year, many Cathay Post members attend the morning Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Day Ceremony at Lake View Cemetery to honor our fallen Nisei brothers. This year was NVC's 78th annual memorial service. Cathay Post Commander, Haydon Mar and Sergeant-At-Arms, Jackson Chan, represented Cathay Post #186 with the wreath presentation. We are honored to be part of this time honored memorial service.
Funds from our AAPI Hometown Hero grant were used to help co-sponsor Seattle Police Department's Chinatown-International District (C-ID) community outreach "Boba Tea with SPD." The event was held on May 10, 2023 and over 100 community members turned out. Thank you Seattle Police Department for keeping our communities safe.
Cathay Post #186: "Serving Those Who Serve"
Veterans Strengthening America!
Annual Post Elections Results:
Congratulations to our 2023-24 Cathay Post #186 new officer-elected. Nomination and voting of Cathay Post officers position took place at the May 24th meeting. The following new officers will begin their term September 2023 and serve through August 2024. The Officer installation will be sworn in by our District Commander and will take place at our installation banquet at a future date yet to be determined. Congratulations to our officer-elects!
COMMANDER: Haydon Mar
FIRST VICE COMMANDER: Robert Dela-Cruz
SECOND VICE COMMANDER: Gerald Chang
FINANCE OFFICER: Darsie Dela-Cruz
CHAPLAIN: Frank Gregory
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Tony Chinn
ADJUTANT: Kent Wong
Honoring A Fellow Veteran
Joseph Fraga Mathews was laid to rest with full military honors last week at Tahoma National Cemetery. Matthews served in the U.S. Army and served honorably for 5 years receiving a National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Mathews passed away at the age of 76 in Renton, WA on May 5, 2023.
"We're honored to assist in giving Mr. Mathews the dignified military services and final salute he deserves,” said Greenwood Manager Rae Morse.
THANK YOU Greenwood Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Tahoma National Cemetery, Tahoma Honor Guard, Gerald Chang and Tony Chinn of Cathay Post 186 - Seattle, WA, VFW Post 6785 and many veterans and family members for honoring the life and service of Joseph Fraga Matthews.
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.
Pictured above is a recent project installing new stair handrail and reinforcing the old hand rails for Warren Yee's mom, Sally, in her home.
Please email Adjutant Kent Wong if you have a potential project for our team. Thanks.
Veterans Helping Veterans!
CHARLES BLAIR, U.S. Navy
We're pleased to have Charles Blair join the American Legion and Cathay Post #186 family.
Photos from our May 24, 2023 Cathay Post #186 meeting. Thanks to everyone who came to our meeting and for the help assembling our Memorial Day star fundraiser. Hope to see all of you in the June meeting.
June 14, 2023 - Flag Day
June 25, 2023 - NVC Chow Mein Dinner Fundraiser, see below.
June 26, 2023 - Veterans History Project, see below.
June 28, 2023 - Cathay Post #186 June Meeting
July 23, 2023 - Seattle C-ID SeaFair Parade. Cathay Post Color Guard will lead the C-ID Seafair Parade.
July 26, 2023 - Cathay Post #186 July Meeting (Guest Speaker: Mukilteo Chief of Police)
August 23, 2023 - Cathay Post #186 August Meeting
September 27, 2023 - Cathay Post #186 September Meeting
October 25, 2023 - Cathay Post #186 October Meeting
Save-the-Date for the Nisei Veterans Committee's (NVC) Chow Mein Dinner and Baked Goods Sale on Sunday, June 25th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm PDT at the NVC Memorial Hall in Seattle.
Let's show a strong CP186 support to our NVC brother. They have provided us a great meeting place and have gone "above and beyond" to help us. Let's support them in their fundraiser.
Meals and Baked Goods will be Take-Out only this year. $20 Donation per dinner. You can also pay with a credit card at their "curb side pick up" or "take-out" at the NVC Memorial Hall. Thanks.
TONY CHINN, U.S. Army Veteran
Military Service: 1976 - 1980
Military Occupation Specialty: 44B (Metal Worker)
Basiic Training: Ft Dix, New Jersey
Advanced Initial Training: Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland
Duty Assignment: Herzogenaurach, Germany (2.5 yrs), and Ft Lewis (1 yr)
Rank: Sergeant, E-5
Recently Elected as Cathay Post #186 Sergeant-at-Arms.
“Heroes don’t wear capes or tights ... they wear dog tags and combat boots.”
Thank You for your Service, Tony Chinn!
Tax Deductible Donations
"VETERANS STRENGTHENING AMERICA"
Cathay Post #186 is making a positive impact. Here are a few examples:
Support Our Fellow Veterans & Families - resources and friendship
Honor Our Fallen War Heroes - Memorial Day Ceremonies
Support Our Youth - Scholarships and Oratorical sponsorships
Support Our Community - C-ID Clean Up, Sea Fair Parade
Support Our Military and First Responders - Hometown Heroes
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.