What do the Flying Tigers say in Yunnan?

A special American delegation visited Yunnan province from November 2 to 4. The friendly delegation consists of the Flying Tigers veterans of Harry Moyer and Melvin McMullen, as well as Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF), and descendants of the Flying Tigers.

The visit to Yunnan, part of the SAAHF delegation’s 10-day tour in China, is inspired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who replied to a letter from Greene, Moyer and McMullen. In his reply on September 12, Xi said he hopes that the spirit of the Flying Tigers will be carried on from generation to generation between the people of China and the US.

The Flying Tigers, or the US 14th Air Force in China, have a special historical bond with Yunnan. Born in the province, the Flying Tigers joined the Chinese people in the worldwide anti-fascist war some 80 years ago, shedding their blood and sacrificing their lives.

Among the delegation members, Harry Moyer has just celebrated his 103rd birthday in China, and Melvin McMullen is 98 years old. The Flying Tigers veterans and their families returned to Yunnan for the purpose of passing down the spirit of the Flying Tigers and carrying forward the folk friendship between China and the US.

Photos that tell history

The Flying Tigers Museum, the Flying-Tiger Themed Restaurant, the former site of the US 14th Air Force Hostel... During the visit, successive old photos brought the Americans back to the eventful days.

The photo wall of the Flying Tigers at the Kunming Flying Tigers Museum in the Kunming Museum.

Greene said that it’s important for the SAAHF to tell the stories of Flying Tigers to more people. Over the years, the foundation has been committed to spreading the stories of Flying Tigers, attracting American teenagers to the ‘Flying Tigers Friendship Schools and Youth Leadership Program,’ and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between young people in the two countries.

"My father was born in a little town in Pennsylvania. At the age of 19, he joined the American aviation volunteers and flew halfway around the world to China. Before that, he had never taken a plane or left his hometown," said Clifford R. Long Jr., son of a Flying Tiger pilot and vice chairman of the Sino-China Aviation Heritage Foundation.

Emotionally, Clifford added that his father would tell stories of the Flying Tigers to the family members. "My father’s experience in China allowed him to have a deep affection with the Chinese people, and he had been proud of it for the rest of his life!"

Clifford held that in China, the Flying Tigers are already well-known among folks. In the future, he hoped that more American teenagers could participate in the people-to-people exchanges. "We live in the same world. When the younger generation knows each other and cherishes each other, they will jointly create a better world."

A book with best wishes

"This is my first visit to Yunnan. I’m quite excited to come where my father once fought," said Margaret Mills Kincannon, daughter of a Flying Tigers veteran. Not long ago, she had just finished a book about the Flying Tigers.

It took her about 10 years to write the book, for she reviewed a bulk of literature materials during writing, and the book also recorded stories told by her father. She hoped that the book could let more people know about stories of the Flying Tigers, contributing to the friendship between American and Chinese peoples.

"A peaceful and happy life is the common aspiration of both Chinese and Americans," said Peter Moyer, son of Harry Moyer. Peter added that the stories of Flying Tigers need to be better known. The spirit of Flying Tigers needs more dialogues and exchanges between the US and China if it is to be passed down from generation to generation.

A song that carries dreams

On November 3, the delegation visited Kunming Foreign Language School, looking into the Hump Air-route monument with teachers and students there, and they jointly planted some trees for their friendship. The delegation also watched a performance by the school’s teachers and students and the Flying Tigers Research Association Opera Troupe.

The performance ended with classic Auld Lang Syne when the audience spontaneously sang with the actors in Chinese or English. Some even burst into tears out of excitement.

"Today, the Flying Tigers veterans before us are a living history for us," said Tan Yushan, a student at the Kunming Foreign Language School. "The spirit of Flying Tigers transcends national boundaries and it means jointly safeguarding a beautiful and peaceful life. Such a spirit needs to be cherished forever."

By YICC reporters