In Los Angeles, a ceremony was held on Saturday to unveil sculptures honoring the legendary “Flying Tigers,” commemorating 80 years since the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The event, themed “Flying Tigers, United States and China Fighting Together,” drew around 100 attendees, including veterans of the Flying Tigers, officials, and representatives from Chinese communities across California.
Installed near Los Angeles International Airport, the sculptures feature full-length statues of General Claire Lee Chennault and a Chinese soldier, symbolizing the solidarity between the two nations during World War II.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, were formed in 1941 under General Chennault’s command to assist China in its fight against invading Japanese forces.
“It is so important that we remember the war that they fought so that we could live in peace,” said Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Chennault. “China and the United States are the two most important countries in our world. With their friendship and lasting peace, the whole world will benefit from that.”
Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen, present at the ceremony, expressed his pride in keeping the legacy alive. “It’s great that we’re keeping the story and the history of General Chennault and our participation in the Second World War alive,” he said. “I think it’s great that we keep this memory alive because it’s something that we should all be proud of.”
The unveiling serves as a powerful reminder of the historic partnership between the United States and China, highlighting the impact of their collaboration on global peace and the importance of preserving this shared history for future generations.
