On August 21, at the Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Museum's "My Motherland" storytelling event and the "United Across Miles" exhibition on overseas Chinese in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, a precious letter preserved for 81 years was made public for the first time.
The letter, handwritten in English by Zeng Sheng, a returned overseas Chinese general and Commander of the Dongjiang (East River) Column, was addressed to U.S. Flying Tiger Lieutenant Donald W. Kerr, who had been rescued by Zeng's troops. In the presence of nearly 100 descendants of Dongjiang Column veterans, Zeng's son, Zeng Deping, presented a replica of the letter to the Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Museum.
Dated March 1, 1944, the letter reads: "Dear Lt. Donald W. Kerr, according to Captain Tsai's report, I am glad to learn that you have safely escaped from our common enemy, the Japanese Fascists. I am taking this opportunity to express my respect and appreciation for your bravery, and to show my regret for your wound. As I am at present unable to meet you personally, I send Raymond Wong to give my warmest reception to you. I hope, by the time I see you in a few days, you will have already recovered. I am, respectfully yours, Tsang Sang Commander." The words reflected a deep soldiers' bond and have become a vivid testament to the solidarity between the Chinese and American people during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
David Kerr, son of Donald W. Kerr, noted that this was his 39th visit to China. In his looking for those who once helped his father, he was deeply moved and also made many new friends. Bringing back this letter, preserved in the United States for 81 years, he hoped both the Chinese and American people would better understand this heroic history, and that the friendship between the two nations would continue.
The special exhibition titled "United Across Miles" on Overseas Chinese and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War is on display at the Guangzhou Overseas Chinese Museum, featuring a precious photo of Donald Kerr with Zeng Sheng. After today's letter handover ceremony, David W. Kerr and Zeng Deping stood before their two fathers' old photograph for a new portrait, together paying tribute to the extraordinary past of their fathers eight decades ago.
Text & Script | Wu Caiqian, Wu Yijie, Deng Shengshi (intern)
Filming & Editing | Qin Shaolong
Poster Design | Cai Junru
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, Zheng Shenghao (intern), Li Lan (intern), James Campion, Shen He
