Historical Marker for Asian Soldiers in American Civil War

April 26, 2003 (Saturday)
4:30pm - Franklin Park - Unveiling ceremony
7:00 - 11:00pm  - Hyatt on Capitol Square - Banquet, speeches and ballroom dance

Event | Purpose | Location and pictures | Marker text | Chinese version | Banquet info  

News coverage: Dispatch  WorldJournal |  Ceremony pictures

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Historical Marker was a huge success, thanks to the support of all the members and volunteers. If you missed it, you can click on the news coverage and the ceremony pictures to get some impression. 

Co-chaired by Roderick G. W. Chu (Chancellor of Ohio Board of Regents) and former Columbus Mayor Gregory S. Lashutka, the unveiling was done by Chancellor Chu and Mr. Steven Abels representing the Ohio Governor Bob Taft. Mr. Jim Stowe read the proclamation from the Columbus Mayor's office. Other than  the Governor and the Mayor, Congressmen Deborah Pryce and  Patrick Tiberi, Senators Mike DeWine and George V Voinovich, Kristina Markel of Ohio Historical Society, Paul Redman of Franklin Park also sent in their congratulations and citations.  Over 200 people including some 50 OCA leaders from other sister chapters, participated at the unveiling ceremony at Franklin Park. Some twenty adopted children from China with their parents added to the significance of this event.  Through this event, we also reached the membership of over 100, which means the Columbus chapter will be represented at the OCA National meeting with two votes.  We have written a page of history. 

(Pictures are courtesy of Helen Lan, Yick Lui, Dan Wan, and Mulan)  You may download the pictures and expand it to the full size on your computer. There are more pictures than can be placed on the website. 

The following now is more a record of our effort.

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Please show your support for erecting a historical marker in commemorating the Chinese American soldiers who served in the American civil war. This will be a significant event in 2003 for the bicentennial of Ohio.  The historical marker will be placed permanently at Franklin Park.  A minimum of $3000 has to be raised for the marker. Any surplus will be used in hosting the dedication ceremony.  The state of Ohio will maintain the marker. Your donation is tax-deductible.  Please contact us via email or call any of the board members for details.

The Event

A historic, educational, and patriotic event will be held on April 26, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio.  The event is to unveil an Ohio Historical Marker commemorating American Civil War soldiers of Asian Descent and to celebrate Ohio's bicentennial.  Following the unveiling ceremony, a banquet will be held to continue the celebration and to kick off the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.  The Historical Marker is sponsored by the Columbus Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) and approved by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission's Multicultural and Ethnic Communities Advisory Council.

For the event, we plan to invite Governor Taft, Mayor Coleman, U.S. Congressman Honda, the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Ohio Historical Society, and Civil War historians.  OCA leadership from 85 chapters and affiliates across the nation and representatives from the Asian American communities throughout the state will join us for the celebration.  The ROTC color guard will be invited for the event.

The American Civil War is one of the most important events in U.S. history.   Research by Gordon Kwok resulted in a list of the Union Civil War soldiers with last names suggesting Chinese. (http://hometown.aol.com/gordonkwok/cacwpart20.html).  From Kwok's list, 17 soldiers who served in the State of Ohio are identified.  The list is by no means inclusive; further research should discover more Asian American Civil War soldiers. 

The Purpose

The Ohio Historical Marker will be the first official marker, permanently displayed in public, recognizing Civil War soldiers of Asian descent.  It has several levels of significance: 

1)      To recognize the soldiers' bravery and honorary services fighting for liberty and equality for the United States, despite exclusionary laws denying citizenship - significance at the national level. 

2)      To commemorate their contributions to Ohio's Civil War history and to celebrate Ohio's long history of ethnic diversity - significance at the state level.

[It reflects the fact that Ohio, as well as the country, has long been more diverse than people would have perceived.] 

3)      To help educate the public about Asian American contributions to U.S. history - significance to the Asian American population and all Americans.

[Records of Asian American contributions to this country have long been missing in history (MIH).  The historical marker is a step forward to remedy the situation.] 

4)      To help change the perception of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners - significance to the Asian American population and all Americans.

[Because of their looks and physical features, Asian Americans are perceived as "perpetual foreigners" regardless of how many generations they have been in the United States as lawful citizens.  Recognizing the fact, ancestors of today's Asian Americans played a part in U.S. history, helps change the perception of Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners.]

 Note:  Soldier pictures taken from http://hometown.aol.com/gordonkwok/cacwpart20.html

The Marker Text

Marker Name

Commemorating Asians and Asian Americans Who Served in the American Civil War

Suggested Marker Text

Marker Text (side a):

Marker Text (side b):