Flying Over the Top of the World: Forum Commemorates 82nd Anniversary of the Hump Airlift and Honors Sino-American WWII Heroes

by admin · Published December 9, 2024 · Updated December 9, 2024

San Gabriel, CA (December 8, 2024) – To honor the history of the Sino-American alliance during World War II and commemorate the sacrifices of the Flying Tigers and Hump Airlift heroes, the American Flying Tigers Communication Association hosted the “Flying Over the Top of the World – Forum in Commemorating the 82nd Anniversary of the Hump Airlift in WWII” on December 8 at the Sheraton San Gabriel.

(Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Nearly 300 guests attended the forum, including notable speakers such as 99-year-old Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, California State Senator Bob Archuleta, and State Assemblymember Mike Fong. Other distinguished participants included Jeff Greene of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and Qing Yu, Chair of the American Flying Tigers Communication Association.

Chinese Deputy Consul General in Los Angeles, Hongjiang Huang (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Chinese Deputy Consul General in Los Angeles, Hongjiang Huang, delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of preserving the legacy of the Flying Tigers. “The heroic collaboration between the Flying Tigers and the Chinese people represents a cornerstone of Sino-American friendship. In today’s world, we must uphold principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to ensure healthy and sustainable development of U.S.-China relations,” Huang said.

Jane Yu, Chair of the American Flying Tigers Communication Association (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Jane Yu, the convener of the event, noted the forum was a tribute to the upcoming 80th anniversary of WWII’s end. “This event reflects on the shared history and sacrifices of Sino-American wartime heroes, ensuring the legacy of the Hump Airlift is passed down to future generations,” she stated.

(Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

The program featured keynote speeches, an exhibition on the Hump Airlift, a screening of historical footage, and an interactive discussion. Special video messages were sent by notable figures, including 100-year-old Jack Goodrich, who flew the Hump 88 times, and Robert Moore, who completed 96 missions, along with Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Claire Chennault, representing the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.

Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen and his wife (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Historical experts and representatives of the Hump Airlift legacy participated in discussions, sharing insights into the daring missions over the Himalayas. Mel McMullen, a 99-year-old gunner of the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, attended in person, adding a deeply personal touch to the event.

The forum was supported by the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, with special thanks to the U.S. General Chamber of Commerce for Entrepreneurs of Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong.

(Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Prominent attendees included California Commander of the American Legion Nick Rosa, Compton School Police Chief William Wu, acclaimed Chinese-American Hollywood director Benjamin Chen, Oscar-winning director Richard L. Anderson and his wife, and Marina Tse, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education.

The event provided an opportunity for attendees to honor the sacrifices of WWII veterans, reflect on the shared history of Sino-American cooperation, and celebrate the enduring peace and friendship born out of this collaboration. (By: Richard Ren/LAPost)