Reception starts at 9:00 am local time. The Buddhist Ceremony led by Venerable Master Hsing Yun starts at 10:00 am, which is followed by a general public ceremony led by General Wen Ha-Hsiung, the chairman of the Adhoc Committee for this event. The Committee consists of General Sun's family members, his relatives, former colleagues, subordinates, friends, and many concerned citizens. The Committee welcomes all to participate or partake to pay tribute to the Late General Sun Li-Jen.
General Sun was injured during a battle when Japan invaded Shanghai in August 13, 1937. That did not discourage him from defending China, and he was dubbed The Ever Victorious General when he defeated the Japanese Army in more than a hundred of battles during the World War II in Burma. He was one of the greatest leaders in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater where he worked closely with Generals Joseph W. Stilwell, Daniel Sulton, Claire Chennault, and Frank Merrill. The First New Army led by him fought side-by-side with the Merill's Maurauders and the Fourteenth Air Force (Flying Tigers) of the United States. General Sun was well respected by his peers and subordinates in the Chinese, American and British forces. Many American veterans of the CBI Theater had fond memory of the General and his New First Army.
For his superior leadership and achievements General Sun Li-Jen received the Blue-Sky-White-Sun Medal of the Republic of China, the highest honor bestowed upon Chinese leaders. He received the Legion of Merit - Officer and The Silver Star from the United States of America for his contribution in the CBI Theater. Soon after entering Burma, he led the 113 Group of his New 38th Division in a rescue mission known as the Battle of the Yenangyaung. His 1300-men Group rescued more than 7000 British and Burmese soldiers plus some reporters from the encirclement by 8000 Japanese soldier. King George VI of England awarded him the Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
General Sun led and trained the Chinese Army in Taiwan since 1947. His work made the Republic of China a stable society for social and economic growth. Unfortunately, his success and popularity was seen as a threat to power, and Chiang's regime isolated him in 1955.
General Sun was well known in the United States of America and Canada. After graduated from the Tsing Hua College in 1923, Sun Li-Jen went to Purdue University and received a Civil Engineering Degree in 1925. Following that, he went to Virginia Military Institute, and earned the Liberal Arts degree in 1927 for his study of the military science. All three Institutes considered him distinguished alumnus and he loved all his Alma Maters.
Lunch is provided by Fo Guang Shan, free to all participants. Donations
are welcome towards the Foundation of General Sun Li-Jen Library. They
can be sent to
Venerable Master Hsing Yun, 14/F, 327 Sung-Lung Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Mr. S.C. Sun, 15/F 24 Lane 171, Section 2, Fu-Hsin South Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
For further information in English, please contact Chung Chieh, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. Internet site: http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/sun/ E-mail cchieh@uwaterloo.ca, Phone (519) 746-5133 (h), (519) 888-4567-ext.5816. Fax: (519) 746-0435