DA Taiwan Participates in Unveiling of Memorial to 14 Murdered American Airmen

Americans, be sure to register at www.democratsabroad.org. If you're on Facebook, join our group at www.groups.to/democratsabroadtaiwan.

DA Taiwan members attended the unveiling of a memorial plaque unveiled June 20, 2009, to honor 14 Navy and Army airmen POWs murdered in the final weeks of World War II by their Japanese captors. The plaque is on one of the remaining walls of Taihoku (Taipei) Prison, where the Japanese executed the airmen on June 19, 1945 after a sham trial.

Opening remarks were provided by DA Taiwan member Jerome Keating, PhD, and while the loss of these young men so many years ago was horrible the memorial service was a beautiful thing and it was refreshing to see so many Americans come out to honor them. It was very moving to hear a letter from Charles Parker, the younger brother of one of the killed airmen. The men were all so young -- most between 19 and 24 years old, only a few married, none of them fathers yet. While they joined the Army and Navy knowing that they might give their lives for their country, it is likely none expected to be starved, beaten and then executed so cruelly so soon before the end of the war.

Speeches were made by Michael Hurst, MBE, director of the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society, Teng Wen-Tsung of the Taipei City Government Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Christopher Patton of AIT, and Jack Lu of the ROC Veteran Affairs Commission. Rev. David Homer provided some beautiful prayers for our servicemen, past and present, while Mark Wilkie gave an excellent reading of the poem "Remember Us". Mal Turner's playing on bagpipes for the procession and conclusion of the ceremony set a sombre but uplifting mood for the procession and event.

-By John Eastwood on June 22nd, 2009

MOVIE! All The President's Men

Americans, be sure to register at www.democratsabroad.org. If you're on Facebook, join our group at www.groups.to/democratsabroadtaiwan.

Democrats Abroad Taiwan Presents:

ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN

1976 -- Winner of 4 Oscars
Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford portray Reporters Woodward and Bernstein as they uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon's resignation.

Wed, July 1st 7:00 p.m.
Yuma Southwestern Grill

Free to all! Minimum purchase in food/beverage: NT$200

Lane 216, Alley 11, #21 ZhongXiao East Road Section 4
台北市忠孝東路四段216巷11弄21號 02 87738895

DA Taiwan 1st Annual July 4th Fundraiser Party in Kaohsiung!

Americans, be sure to register at www.democratsabroad.org. If you're on Facebook, join our group at www.groups.to/democratsabroadtaiwan.

DA Taiwan will be holding another awesome party event down in Kaohsiung, just a 2 minute walk from the Kaohsiung Main Station at the "Join Us" bar, at 169 Jianguo 3rd Road, B1.

Your TWD 400 donation ticket gets you admission, a beer, and a chance to help DA Taiwan while taking in a great show! Cheap drinks at the site! And we'll have a raffle featuring some awesome Obama/Democrat stuff brought in special from the U.S. including some inauguration memorabilia!

Pan Africana will be playing live at the venue -- this awesome band combines West African/Caribbean music and dance. Other acts to be announced shortly.

If you're coming from Central or Northern Taiwan, the HSR is a great way down and back (get out at ZuoYing HSR Station and then take the KMRT to Kaohisung Main Station). Also, if you want to stay overnight, there are many small hotels in the area.

For tickets and more information, contact democratsabroadtaiwan@gmail.com

Democrats Abroad to Participate in President Obama’s Visit to Normandy

Americans, be sure to register at www.democratsabroad.org. If you're on Facebook, join our group at www.groups.to/democratsabroadtaiwan.

June 2, 2009

Paris - Democrats Abroad will be participating in a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer on June 6, 2009. Members of Democrats Abroad will be traveling across France and Europe to honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives, joining U.S. President Barack Obama.

On June 5th at 4 pm, the day before the official ceremony, Democrats Abroad members including John Morris and Beresford Hayword will be placing a wreath in remembrance of the fallen. John Morris was just recently awarded the French Legion d'Honneur Medal. Morris was the photo editor in the London office of Life magazine and was responsible for getting Robert Capa's pictures of the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach to print. Beresford Hayward trained radio operators in the Army Air Corps.

"President Obama’s visit to Normandy on this historic anniversary is symbolic of his intention to honor the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, both in the past and today,” said Christine Schon Marques, International Chair of Democrats Abroad.

“The President has already come a long way in restoring the United State’s image abroad and sending the message that Americans are once again ready to work with the international community on heroic efforts required by our time and bring about lasting change,” said Meredith Gowan Le Goff, Chair of Democrats Abroad France.

After the official ceremony, Democrats Abroad will regroup in Bayeux and participate in the public picnic organized by the town at the Place Charles de Gaulle. Weather permitting, the group will gather for photos on some of the picturesque bridges found in the old city of Bayeux.

www.democratsabroad.org