Centennial Greetings

For the Centennial Rememborance, greetings have been received from President Chan of the Republic of China, Minister of Veteran Affairs, Tsing Hua University, and many organizations in Taiwan. Furthermore, the Virginia Military Institute, Stilwell's grandson John E. Easterbrook, Merrill's Marauders Association, the 14th Air Force Association and the Burma Star Association have also sent in greetings.

Open Letter From The
Virginia Military Institute

Open letter to the people of the Republic of China from the cadets, faculty, staff and administration of the Virginia Military Institute Friends of Freedom:
On the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great hero of the Republic of China's gallant struggles for freedom, General Sun Li-Jen, Virginia Military Institute Class of 1927, the entire Virginia Military Institute family sends greetings and best wishes to our alumni and friends in the Republic of China.
We here at VMI have long honored the service and heroism of this son of China and of VMI. He is correctly named "The Ever Victorious General". We are humbled that this great man became a VMI cadet and carried the "Spirit of VMI" with him throughout his life. We honor him as one of our most distinguished alumni, as a role model for generations of soldiers of our two nations, and as an inspiration to VMI cadets even unto this day. For example, one of the first two women to be graduated from VMI, Miss Ho Chih-Yuan of the Republic of China, distinguished herself while a VMI cadet by holding the example of General Sun Li-Jen in front of her from her first day as a cadet to the award of her diploma as a Distinguished Graduate in May 1998.
Such is the undying legacy of a truly great man. Succeeding generations will study his life and seek to follow in his path of courage, honor and dedication.
It was a particular honor for us to have the VMI flag beside the flag of the Republic of China, both covering General Sun's body, during his 1990 funeral just ten years ago. His spirit, the Spirit of VMI and the unquenchable Spirit of Freedom of the People of the Republic of China are thus forever intermingled.
We thank you for the honor you have done us by allowing this great man to be a part of VMI's heritage and history. May the memory of his heroic deeds in the defense of freedom live forever.

Josiah Bunting III '63
Major General
Superintendent

Greetings from General Stilwell's family

In a letter to Dr. Chan H. Yeh, John Easterbrook wrote:

On behalf of the Joseph W. Stilwell family, I would like to send our greetings and express our congratulation on the 100th birthday of General Sun Li-jen.
The name of General Sun Li-jen is held in very high esteem by all members of the Stilwell family for his warm friendship with General Stilwell and his consistently superior performance on the battlefield. Together General Stilwell and General Sun showed the world that, given proper care and leadership, the Chinese soldier was the equal of any in the world. General Sun's accomplishments are legendary in the history of China and provide a benchmark for all military officers. It is good that he is remembered so well today, for his life should serve as an inspiration for us all. It is our great hope that his career, contributions, and reputation become even better known among the current generations.
The Stilwell family is present today in spirit and is honored to help pay tribute to General Sun and his porminent place in Chinese history.

Sincerely,

John E. Easterbrook

Grandson of General Joseph W. Stilwell

Greetings from the Merrill's Marauders Association

The Merrill's Marauders Association is pleased that you contacted us regarding the Commemoration of the 100th Birthday of General Sun Li-Jen. He is highly respected by our members as a steadfast ally and a brilliant General Officer. In fact, at our yearly reunious many photographs of him are displayed along with those of Generals Stilwell and Merrill.
We all remember his victory over the numerically superior, conquering Japanese Army, in the vicinity of Yenangyaung in 1942, and the rout of the enemy at Yubang Ga, the next year and finally , his taking of Bhamo by the 38th division. I believe, though, the Marauders remember him most fondly for releasing his 113th Regiment and his 6th Pack Artillery Battery to be part of combined task force operating, in concert, with Merrill's Marauders in the victory at Shaduzup.
There is no more difficult military problem than coalition warfare, in which, troops of different nations combine their forces against a common enemy. General Joseph Stilwell's and General Sun Li-jen's cooperation during the entire North Burma Campaign is proof that it can be done successfully.
Our membership averages abiyt eighty years of age, and we are now too elderly for travel to distant places, but those of us who still remain will be with you in spirit, In Taipei, on November 12.

Sincerely,

David L. Quaid
Historian Emeritus, Merrill's Marauders Association

282 Trotting Park Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Greetings from the 14th Air Force Association

The followint letter was received by Dr. Chan H. Yeh on behalf of the Committee from FAX

Flying Tigers
of the
14th Air Force Association, Inc.

November 7, 2000

Chan H. Yeh

Subject: Centennial to Commemorate the 100th Birthday of General Sun Li-Jen

Dear Chan;

I thank you very much for bringing to my attention the celebration to be held in Taipei to honor General Sun Li-Jen on the anniversary date of his 100th Birthday.

Please covey to all who are assembled the sincere, best wishes of the membership of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force Association on this important day.

The 14th Air Force, under General Clair Chennault, was very active in supporting the Chinese troops under the command of General Sun. In fact, I was very much involved personally in that battle to push the Japanese from South China and Burma to reopen the Burma-Ledo Road, flying many missions in support of the Chinese Army. In fact, as a teen-age fighter pilot, I flew over the ceremony at Wanting reopening the Burma Road.

The accomplishments of General Sun are many, but that great battle in south China was one that will be remembered forever. That successful mission reopened the Burma Road, again, so that supplies could be provided to China to accomplish our common goal, to defeat the enemy.

I commend you all for this celebration to keep the memory of General Sun Li-Jen alive. He served your country well.

Sincerely,

Clifford R. Long

President

Correspondence with The Burma Star Association

After receiving the Invitation, Paul Loseby, the creator of the Burma Star Association Web Site, wrote: I have passed the details of the Commemorative Service for Gen. Sun on to Mark Slim, one of the sons of Gen. Slim - I know that he will circulate the invitation to his family immediately. I have also passed the details to the Burma Star Association in order that the details can be passed to the Branches and the membership. In a subsequent e-mail, Paul wrote: My father was in the war in Burma and I was telling him today of your contact and invitation. He says that people do not realise just how much the Chinese people did in the war and they do not get the credit that they (Chinese army) deserve. He says that they were a great army with great leaders and much more should have been written about them than has been.
My father was a 'Gunner/Signaller' with the Royal Artillery serving with the 28th Indian Field Regiment which was part of the 19th Indian Division and led by Major General Rees.
On behalf of the Burma Star Association, I would like to extend our congratulation and warmest regards to the assembly of the Centennial Remembrance of General Sun Li-Jen, and to all those connected with him.
I seek knowledge and understanding and would be happy if others could learn a little more about General Sun from my site. I am particularly interested in learning from other cultures and would one day, love to visit China and Taiwan to learn more about General Sun's country.

Sincerely,

Paul Loseby

Creator of the Burma Star Association Web Site.