The fact Chinese men were able to serve Canada in the Second World War, but were still not allowed to vote was an irony not lost on several Grade 4 students from Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary School during a recent visit to the Chinese Canadian Military Museum.
The students were guided on the museum tour by Second World War veterans Bing Wong, Tommy Wong, Paul Lee and Kelly Kwong, all in their 90s.
The visit was arranged after their teacher, Sylvia Seto, had her students write Christmas postcards to Bing Wong and Neil Chan. Seto told the Courier why she thinks it’s important to teach children about the past.
“As a teacher, I think it is very important that we teach our students about the soldiers and veterans, especially Canadian veterans, who have made sacrifices and contributions towards peace and freedoms we enjoy in Canada. There are fewer and fewer World War Two veterans alive since many of them are in their 90s. It is important that children remember, honour and respect these soldiers and veterans for all they have done for our country.”
Why did you focus on the Chinese Military Museum?
The Chinese Military Museum is the only one of its kind in North America and it is right here in our city of Vancouver. My friend’s father, Neil Chan, and my friend’s father-in-law, Bing Wong, are WWII veterans, both 94 years old. My class wrote both veterans heartfelt cards thanking them for their sacrifices and service during WWII when Chinese Canadians were discriminated against and were initially denied from enlisting in the war. The majority of the students in my class are of Asian descent. I felt it was important for them to know that what they and their parents have now, wasn’t always like that.
What do you think impacted the students most?
I think the students felt honoured to be able to meet two WWII veterans as well as two other Chinese Canadian veterans, to hear their stories, see their photos in the museum and have their photos taken with them. The students learned about the discrimination Chinese Canadians faced decades ago. They learned that the Chinese had to pay a Head Tax to be allowed into Canada, they were not allowed to vote and they were not allowed to use public swimming pools. They also learned how scary it was and how brave these soldiers were to be dropped behind enemy lines in Japan.
Do you have plans to continue this program in the future?
I teach a history unit on WWI and WWII every year in November — Lest We Forget. I don’t want this young generation to grow up and forget about the sacrifices and contributions these soldiers and veterans have made. We live in a better country because of them.
