Chinese American Memorial to be revealed after Corning Veterans Day parade
By GEORGE JOHNSTON | gjohnston@redbluffdailynews.com | Red Bluff Daily News
PUBLISHED: November 9, 2023 at 3:00 a.m. | UPDATED: November 10, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
CORNING — Following the Corning Veterans Day parade Saturday, a mural highlighting the Chinese families of Tehama County will debut. The Helen and Joe Chew Foundation invites the whole community to participate in the special commemorative event.
Jessica said the ceremony will feature the return of descendants of Historic Chinatown Alley to Tehama County, where they will unveil a Chinese-American Memorial and unveil the concept for a forthcoming WWII Mural. This mural will pay tribute to the achievements and historic contributions of the Chinese American WWII Veterans on their journey to receiving the Congressional Gold Medal.
“Additionally, we will pay our respects with a separate memorial and tribute to those interred in the segregated “Chinese Section,” Chew adds.
Ed Gor, who championed the Chinese-American Congressional Gold Medal approvals through Congress, will be the special guest of honor.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese American Citizens Alliance for their unwavering dedication and advocacy in recognizing the Chinese American WWII Veterans, six of whom hail from Red Bluff,” Chew said.
Admission to this event is free, including the Helen and Joe Chew Foundation’s participation in the Veteran’s Day Parade in Corning. The lineup for the parade starts at 9 Yolo and 3rd Streets. The parade will go from City Hall on 3rd Street and concludes at 1620 Solano St., the Tehama County Veterans Memorial Hall.
The descendants of Historic Chinatown Alley will have a lunch memorial hall following the parade. There, they will unveil the Chinese American Memorial and present the concept of the WWII mural. Chew added the descendants will pay their respects with a cemetery memorial and tribute to honor each C.A.C.A. Veteran recipient at their resting place within the segregated “Chinese Section.”
This is just one of many events that were planned this year to honor the Chinese families of Tehama County. An ancient Chinese Lion Dance in January honored the unveiling of the “Historic Chinese Alley” street signs in Red Bluff. These signs were installed on Hickory Street through Pine Street between Main Street and Rio Street.
The year of celebration will conclude in February 2024 with a celebration of “Historic Chinatown Alley.”
“Over the past year, we have learned so much about the rich Chinese-American history of Tehama County, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor and celebrate this important part of our community’s heritage,” Chew previously said.
More about the events and Red Bluff’s Chinese history can be found at https://www.redbluffchew.org/creatingahistoricchinatownalley
Red Bluff Veterans Day
This year’s Veterans Appreciation Breakfast has moved from the Elk’s Lodge to the Red Bluff Veterans Memorial Hall on Oak Street. The veterans say they thank the Elks for their years of supporting the event. The breakfast will be held on Saturday from 8 until 9:30 a.m.
All veterans and active duty service members are offered a complimentary breakfast. All others are $5 per person, with immediate families of more than four at $20. Those attending can look forward to a door prize drawing, a raffle and patriotic music. This year’s breakfast is sponsored by Red Bluff chapters of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).