Cathay Post #186:  Veteran Strengthening America Award.  Our post created this local award to honor veterans who exemplify the highest standard of service. Each year, it recognizes a veteran who continues to serve with distinction—uplifting our community through action, volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership.

The award reflects the motto of The American Legion, “Veterans Strengthening America,” and allows our post to celebrate an outstanding local veteran or member whose service truly inspires.

2026 Recipient:  Tuck eng

✯ ✯ ✯ 2026 Cathay Post #186 "Veteran Strengthening America" Award Recipient ✯ ✯ ✯

Cathay Post #186 is proud to honor Uncle Tuck Eng as our 2026 "Veteran Strengthening America" Award recipient.

At over 90 years young, Uncle Tuck is the definition of humble service. A U.S. Army veteran, Cathay Post #186 member, and retired Boeing engineer of 42 years, he has quietly dedicated his life to serving both his country and the Seattle Chinese American community.

Uncle Tuck fondly recalls reporting for duty at Fort Lewis under Lt. Col. Jimmy Mar during his Army service. Throughout his life, he has exemplified the values of service, leadership, and generosity.

In 2023, he received the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) Seattle Fred Yee Citizens Award, recognizing his decades of volunteerism, community leadership, and advocacy. The award honors individuals who embody C.A.C.A.'s mission of developing leadership, serving the community, and promoting civil rights.

A third-generation Chinese American born in 1933, Uncle Tuck has played an instrumental role in preserving and improving Seattle's Chinatown-International District. As president of the Historic Chinatown Gate Foundation, he led the effort to construct the traditional Chinatown Gate at 5th Avenue South and South King Street. He also contributed to the design of the Hing Hay Park expansion.

His community service includes past leadership with the Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority, and ongoing service as a board member of the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area and the Chong Wa Benevolent Association.

When the flagpole at Hing Hay Park was destroyed, Uncle Tuck stepped forward to help. Working with an architect and the City of Seattle, he helped secure and relocate a new flagpole beside the Chinese American Veterans Memorial in time for the Memorial Day ceremony.

His support for Cathay Post #186 has also been unwavering. When our Post was forced to relocate because of safety concerns, Uncle Tuck advocated for us and arranged for meetings to be held at the Chong Wa Benevolent Association without charge, with CWBA serving as our co-sponsor. His steadfast support has helped ensure the continued success of our Post.

Most recently, Uncle Tuck and his family demonstrated their commitment to preserving history by selling their family home and adjoining property to the Wing Luke Museum at a generous discount, helping create a living historical site for future generations.

Uncle Tuck has strengthened America not only through his military service but through a lifetime of leadership, generosity, and dedication to his community. He has strengthened Cathay Post #186, Seattle's Chinatown-International District, and the lives of countless people.

We are incredibly proud to recognize Uncle Tuck Eng as our 2026 Cathay Post #186 "Veteran Strengthening America" Award recipient. This honor is richly deserved.

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2025 Recipient:  Jerry q. lee

On August 2, 2025, Cathay Post #186 proudly presented the 2025 Veteran Strengthening America Award to Jerry Q. Lee, U.S. Army. Accepting on his behalf at this year’s event was his wife, Charlene Lee.

Each year, this award honors a veteran who continues to serve with distinction—uplifting our community through action, volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership. Our inaugural award in 2024 went to Victor Odermat, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Brown Bear Car Wash.

This year’s recipient, Jerry Q. Lee, has been a Legionnaire for more than 50 years. He is the retired Chairman and CEO of MulvannyG2 Architecture, one of the nation’s top firms, responsible for iconic projects such as hundreds of Costco stores, Nike outlets, international high-rises, and Boeing’s former world headquarters. Jerry also championed diversity, building one of the most inclusive teams in the industry.

Beyond his professional success, Jerry has devoted his life to service. He received the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Award from President Obama’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. He founded the Costco Rotisserie Chicken Drive at the ACRS Food Bank—bringing warm meals to families in need—and has served on numerous boards supporting children, elders, education, healthcare, cancer research, and the arts, including Seattle Children’s Hospital, College Success Foundation, Kin On, Nikkei Concerns, and Susan G. Komen Puget Sound.

This past May, during AANHPI Heritage Night at T-Mobile Park, Jerry was honored by the Seattle Mariners as a Community Philanthropist. In a touching moment, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch—perfectly delivered and caught by Mariners pitcher Logan Evans—to the cheers of a sold-out crowd, joined on the field by Charlene. Reflecting on that evening, Jerry said:  “It was a fun experience for me and a memorable honor for a lifelong Mariner fan.”

Jerry, your service—in uniform and in community—has strengthened lives across our region and beyond. It is our great honor to recognize you with the 2025 Veteran Strengthening America Award.

Congratulations, Jerry—and thank you, Charlene, for the many ways you both continue to inspire and uplift our community.

2024 Recipient:  victor odermat

VICTOR ODERMAT:  Recipient of Cathay Post 186’s Veterans Strengthening America Award

July 2024 – We had the privilege of visiting Victor Odermat, the founder and president of Brown Bear Car Wash and a distinguished former U.S. Marine Corps officer.  Accompanying us was our youngest post member, USMC 2ndLt Josh Mar, who is home on leave after recently graduating from The Basic School. 

Haydon Mar, Past Post Commander, presented Victor with our post's prestigious Veterans Strengthening America award, in recognition of his remarkable philanthropic contributions and profound impact on the military/veteran community in the Puget Sound area.

We were also joined by Patty Carter, a representative of Puget Sound Honor Flight.  Given Brown Bear Car Wash’s generous donations of over $71,000 to Puget Sound Honor Flight in the past six years, her presence was especially meaningful.

Victor shared his invaluable insights and words of wisdom, leaving a lasting impression on all of us.  We are deeply honored to count Victor as a member of the American Legion and Cathay Post #186.  His dedication and service are a source of immense pride and inspiration.

Thank you Victor Odermat: A Veteran Strengthening America!