| American Legion Cathay Post No. 384 was officially chartered by the national office of the American Legion on August 24, 1931. Chinese American veterans, however, during the early 1900's were not treated as equals in the United States Armed Forces. Their needs for fair representation and recognition in defense of America became their goal in the 1930s and with the coming of WWII, thousands of Chinese Americans and immigrants answered the call to serve in defense of America against the Axis Powers. During the war hundreds of Chinese soldiers were killed in action for their service. |
Members of Cathay Post No. 384. |
After WWII and because of the Chinese American soldiers' service, they were allowed to become naturalized American citizens. They also were given the chance to take advantage of the G.I. Bill which promoted higher education and opportunities to bring their wives and children from China to America. In pursuing these rights, the veterans of Cathay Post No. 384 played a major role in the Chinese community. They recognized that family unification was important in preserving their cultural family values for their children and community. To preserve cultural values and exercise their rights, Cathay Post No. 384 and other veteran organizations lobbied to the United States Congress, the need of equal treatment of Chinese Americans as citizens. Recognizing the need to preserve their history, during the early 1950s, Cathay Post No. 384 veteran members donated their money to the Post to purchase a two story headquarters building on Powell Street. Today, Cathay Post No. 384 is the only veterans’ organization that owns their building in San Francisco.
Members of Cathay Post No. 384 with Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2003. |
Today, Cathay Post No. 384 is focused on community organizations who serve our Chinese American community, along with honoring Chinese American veterans’ service to America. The recognition and assistance of community organizations have been through honoring local police officers, helping senior citizens, providing a community forum for public education, assisting young Asian Americans improve their social and leadership abilities, participating in the San Francisco Homeless Council, and the on-going project to establish the first Chinese American Veterans Memorial Museum to honor our Chinese soldiers who have served in American and World Wars. |
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Cathay Post No. 384 is proud to make its building available for community use. Cathay Post No. 384 allows youth and seniors to use its community hall for free and implements many programs that aim to teach the community about earthquake and fire safety.
Cathay Post No. 384 is comprised of 30% youth members highly motivates the youth to carry on its mission and legacy.
Cathay Post No. 384 of the American Legion is committed to paying tribute to the Chinese American veterans who have defended our nation from the American Civil War to present with character, determination and valor. Their dedication, duty, and honor to our country will be memorialized by our post activities.
The contributions of our Chinese America military personnel will also serve to educate the nation and world about the horrors of war as evidenced by the collections and art exhibits which will be displayed through relevant educational programs.
Promotion of patriotism and the focusing of Chinese American community concerns is a part of our standard programs in order to reach all areas of our communities and to encourage volunteerism. Cathay Post No. 384 is also committed to serving the community by sponsoring events and organizations. These groups are:
--California Boys State
--Chinatown Boy Scouts
--Chinatown Economic Development Group (Appointed by the Mayor)
--Chinatown Neighborhood Center
--Chinatown Stockton Street Corridor Committee for Underground Light Rail
--Chorus Entertainment for Seniors
--Coro Foundation
--Miss Asian Pageant Logistics Support
--Police and Fire Homeland Security Trainings
--SF Immigration Commission Retreat Meetings
--Town Hall Meetings |
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