Zhang Zhaohong: In memory of Uncle Jia

Zhaohong Zhang: In memory of Uncle Jia Phoenix Zhang Zhaohong Kenneth Gee Fong, known as "Uncle Jia"...

Phoenix City Zhang Zhaohong

Kenneth Gee Fong, known as "Uncle Jia", is a well-known figure in the Chinese community in Phoenix. Uncle Jia immigrated to the United States in the late 1940s. Regarding this period of history, he once wrote deeply: "I immigrated to the United States in 1948 in the late 1940s, that is, after World War II, as a child of a citizen. At that time, the United States still discriminated against Chinese people and only gave 105 people to come to the United States every year. I think back to Lame, when I left my hometown and traveled across the ocean. I boarded a wartime troop ship and drifted in the wind, rain and huge waves for 18 or 9 days. After many hardships, I arrived in San Francisco. Then I was detained by the Immigration Bureau for more than four months. I was subjected to humiliation, discrimination and unfair treatment like a prisoner. Unable to bear the mental shock, some people jumped off buildings or hanged themselves, causing public outcry across the country. Later, legislation was introduced to allow them to be released on bail pending trial. Today's Chinese are very lucky. There is no trial, no imprisonment, and no discrimination when coming to the United States. I believe that many new overseas Chinese know very little about the bitter history of blood and tears of their ancestors. "In October 1952, Uncle Jia joined the U.S. Army for military service. After training, he was assigned to the front line in South Korea in May 1953 to engage in field cooking work, with the rank of corporal. He returned to the United States 16 months later and won the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and two commemorative medals: the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. defense service medal).

After his retirement, Uncle Jia opened the "Golden Star Restaurant" in Flagstaff Ridge, Alberta. He then returned to Scottsdale City and continued to work in the restaurant industry until his retirement.

After his retirement, Uncle Jia often published articles in local newspapers and magazines and was an active figure in the Chinese overseas community. He also participated in our activities. In 2008, a special report was written about the spring banquet held by the Longgang Office. The summary is as follows:

Longgang Unity Spirit Uncle Jia "This year's Spring Banquet of the Longgang Family Association in Phoenix City, a group of Longgang leaders from San Francisco gathered together, including the President of the Longgang World Association, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the American General Office, the American Longgang Elders, Advisors, Finance and Inspector General, etc. We warmly welcome and thank them for coming to Phoenix City and coming all the way. Longgang Qinyi Office is composed of the four surnames Liu, Guan, Zhang and Zhao. The story is the origin of the Three Kingdoms in Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" novel. In the Three Kingdoms at that time, Sun Quan of the Wu Kingdom was a distant relative, Cao Cao of the Wei Kingdom was a traitor, and Liu Bei of the Shu Kingdom was a direct descendant. Therefore, the generals of Shu, Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, are the most popular among readers. They met chivalrously and called themselves brothers. Liu Bei was the eldest brother, Guan Yu was the second brother, and Zhang Fei was the third brother. People called them "the three sworn brothers in Taoyuan". Later, Zhao Zilong appeared. The four of them were born and died together. Zhao Zilong loyally protected his master, Guan Yu Huarong freed Cao Cao, Liu Bei treated others kindly, and Zhang Fei Banqiao bravely retreated from the powerful enemy. These all showed Longgang's unity spirit of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence and courage. ... Another far-reaching fabricated story in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is the "Three Sworn Brothers in the Taoyuan". The "Three Sworn Brothers in the Taoyuan" was imitated by the gangsters. Once the brothers were sworn, they only knew the brothers and did not know the king and ministers. They only knew the loyalty but did not know the king's law. The Guandi Temple became a good place to worship the brothers, so that the number of Guandi Temples in various places far exceeded the Confucius Temple. From this point alone, can you not be surprised by the educational power produced by the novelist's pen? ... No matter what, the spirit of loyalty, benevolence, courage and unity displayed by Longgang is worthy of being modeled by every Chinese son and daughter. "Uncle Jia was also the honorary consultant of the Feinian Chinese Welfare Association. We deeply mourn his death!

Uncle Jia and his wife at the Longgang Spring Banquet (2011) Photography by Zhang Zhaohong