Relatives honor US hero during China's resistance against aggression

A faded wedding photograph, discovered in the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence, speaks volumes of a bond that transcended national boundaries — a picture of Richard Young, a close aide-de-camp to United States General Joseph Stilwell, on his wedding day.

Stilwell served as commander of US forces in the China-Burma-India Theater from 1942 to 1944. He is fondly remembered as a hero who fought side-by-side with the Chinese people against the Japanese invasion.

The image serves as a reminder of the intricate web of relationships woven between the Chinese and US people during the tumultuous years of World War II, echoing today in the steps of Stilwell's descendants when they visited Shanghai.

The delegation, which included Stilwell's great-granddaughters Nancy Easterbrook Millward and Susan Mai Easterbrook Cole, embarked on a journey through China to retrace the footsteps of their ancestor, a man deeply admired for his dedication to the Chinese cause.

Their trip, which began in Beijing and included visits to the historically significant cities of Chongqing and Kunming, culminated in Shanghai, where they explored the city's sites, honored the memory of Soong Ching Ling, and reaffirmed the enduring ties that bind China and the US.

"I was very pleased to see the photo of Richard Young at his marriage," said Nancy Millward during their visit to the Soong Ching Ling Memorial Residence on Sunday.

"I know that Richard Yang had a deep relationship with Madame Soong Ching Ling, and that was connected with a relationship with General Stilwell."

The visit also included a visit to a special exhibition highlighting the connection between Soong and the Stilwell family, documented through precious historical documents. These include letters, photographs and even a copy of Madame Sun Reports, dedicated to Soong by Stilwell's wife.

Last Wednesday, Millward and Cole attended the V-Day parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"It was quite an honor to attend the parade," Millward said.

"I was thinking the whole time about how General Stilwell would feel seeing this wonderful military parade. He spent a lot of time with the Chinese soldiers during the war and had a lot of belief in them, and I think he would be so happy to see the success of the military all these years later."

The visit also included a stop at the China Welfare Institute Children's Palace, a place that resonated with the family's commitment to nurturing future generations.

"It has been very impressive to see the children, to know that Madame Soong Ching Ling helped with this and to give these children a path," Cole said.

The trip also carried another deeply personal meaning for the Stilwell family: "It is incredibly significant to continue the friendships that we have built over the years," Millward said.

"I think people-to-people relationships are what will keep our two countries strong and involved with one another."

Luo Bin contributed to this story.