Flying Tigers veterans defend V-Day parade

International veterans who fought in China during World War II and their family members have expressed their support for the upcoming V-Day parade, part of China's grand celebrations to mark the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, deeming it "necessary" and "important."

Catherine Stevens, the wife of late Senate President pro tempore of the United States Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens, also a "Flying Tiger" pilot, takes questions on Sept. 2 in Beijing. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]

Allen Larson, born in 1924, was once a member of the American Volunteer Group, nicknamed the "Flying Tigers," that aided in the Chinese war effort against the Japanese invasion. At a press conference held in Beijing on Sept 2, he said that a military parade would help people remember those who fought in that war, their family members and those who lost their lives.

Larsen recalled attending other war memorial activities back home, some of which were also attended by Civil War veterans from both sides. "They saluted each other to show their respects," he said, implying that the memory of war is equally as important as the victory and a formal celebration will help pass on the memory.

Larsen's remark was supported by Catherine Stevens, the wife of the late Senate President pro tempore of the United States Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens, who was also a pilot, and flew the C-47 military transport aircraft used by the Flying Tigers along the Hump Flight.

She said her husband dedicated a considerable amount of time during his years in the Senate to this issue because "he did not want Americans to forget what happened with our connection to China."

"But as we see the heroism and bravery of those serving in our armed forces today, we know that they are truly our greatest generation," said Mrs. Stevens, quoting a paragraph in the book his husband Ted wrote. She added that Ted wished to "pass the torch to future generations, hoping that they will learn more about the terrible war that happened in China."

While Western mediaoutlets tend to form a chorus, backed up by some U.S. military officials, indicating that China's V-Day parade was to have little contribution to regional peace and stability, that it was more of a show of strength, and an exhibition of new ordnance and equipment. In this time of peace, the Flying Tigers veterans said the imminent V-Day parade could be a chance for "the Chinese people to show the world how much the country has changed over the seven decades since World War II."

Knowing that the U.S. President Barack Obama will be absent from the series of V-Day commemorations, Stevens said it would be great if Obama could come but urged that neither his presence nor his absence should affect China-U.S. relations."His visit anywhere outside Washington would lead to the shutdown of the entire city due to incredible security concerns," she added.