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星期六, 11月 09, 2024

波士頓慶祝退伍軍人節 吳弭市長簽法案減免退伍軍人房屋稅(圖片輯)



 

























Commissioner Robert Santiago, City of Boston Veterans’ Services


you and respect ain' gratitude today and always, here in the city of Boston, every day is Veterans Day. So thank you all to all my fellow veterans to all the families of my fellow veterans, and thank you for your continued service to our city, to our state, and to our country. May we all carry forward this legacy of loyalty and service, honoring your courage and commitment for generations to come thank you. 

Now, at this time, I would like to pull up, representing the American Legion, districtrictiv commander, and his shipmate, who also is a recipient of the Dever Sampson award this year commander Meredith Tuitt., good afternoon isn't this beautiful. Look at the sea of faces out there. 



Talk by Mary-dith Tuitt, American Legion


My name is Mary-dith Tuitt . 

I am the commander of the William E. Carter American Legion Post 16 out of Madapian, right? Thank you, thank you. I'm senior vice commander for District Seven South County, and I want to bring forward to stand with me. 

I will commander for the Department of Massachusetts, Nelson, commander Nelson, come on over. So this is Nelson Blake and our cast national commander Jay Comier, and he's also standing here. We want to save from the American Legion family to all of our veteran organizations and to all of our veteran families, military attached, and everyone, thank you so much for your service. 

Thank you for your continued service and thank you for those of you out their supporting us. Anything you want to take commander? I govern it all. 


commander for the Department of Massachusetts, Nelson Blake; 


All right. Thank you so much and bring him back to the podium with Commissioner. Commission. 



Introduction of Lydia Edwards


Thank you, Commander. and now I would like to whatroduce, and it's my honor to introduce our grand marshal produceious parade, first Lieutenant Lydia Edwards. But she's not just the first lieutenant. She's also a state senator, so Senator Lydia Edwards is a career advocate, activist, and voice on behalf of society's most vulnerable. 

She was raised all over the world by her military mom, but chose to make East Boston her home, prior to being elected to the state senate and Boston city council, Lydia worked extensively in the legal field. She worked as a public interest attorney with greater Boston legal services focusing on labor issues such as fighting for access to unemployment insurance, back wages, fair treatment for domestic workers and combati human trafficking. Senator Edwards coordinated a statewide campaign to pass the domestic workers bill of rights, and she won. 

Following the bill's passage, she was named Bostonian of the Year, honorable mentioned by the Boston Globe. In February of 2023, Senator Edwards was named chair of the joint house housing committee in the Massachusetts state legislature. In addition to a role as a state senator, she also served as first lieutenant in the Massachusetts National Guard workman as a judge advocate general, where she addresses military legal matters, ladies and gentlemen, Lydia Edwards. apologize, my voice is a little bit off today. 



Talk by Lydia Edwards


I hope you can hear me. My name is Lydia Edwards, uh, before I was any of those things, I was an Air Force brat. My mother served for 23 years in the United States Air Force. 

I can trace my family back to 1822. in this country. I know the names of the slaves and I know my ancestors histories, and I've seen the draft cards from my great great grandfathers served in World War two and my grandfather served great great grandfathers served in World War I and my grandfather served the World War II. My great uncle served and died in Korea on heartbreak hill on October 9, 1951. 

My uncle, Tyron, who I did not meet, he served to Vietnam, and while he left the war, the war did not leave him, and he came back to Chicago and took his life. My mother served. She joined in in 71 during Vietnam and left during Iraq one. 

And I'm serving now. I joined just a year ago, but I want you to know that politics is new to my family, but service as I've demonstrated is not. It's what we do. 

It's what I've learned is part of being an American, part of being a patriot is service to country. And what I love about patriotism, what I am passionate about patriotism is that it serves no political party. It serves, and it is not owned by any particular group of people background or financial investment. 

It is in each and every one of us and is one of the most beautiful things that we can all do. A lot of people ask themselves or think oftentimes that patriotism is in the flags that you carry. It's in the the blind faith in the nation. 

It's in a lot of different things that are more performative. To me, that's not patriotism. Patriotism is like my faith. 

When they ask, do you know, they will know your Christian by your love. then I say that the same thing about patriotism, they will know your patriot by your service, by your commitment to others. True patriots are not offended by criticism. or caused to be a better nation. true patriots I'm not concerned with propaganda or political parties. True patriots get to serve unapologetically. when I think of patriotism, I think of my uncle. 

I'll Solomon. He was 21 years old, and he was picked along with Bob Finley and Walter Scholz to leave the charge up Heartbreak Hill. Military brass said it would be at seven day campaign to take the North Korean Ridge. 

It was 30 days in mass casualties. They led that hill, they went up the hill together, the three of them in their just barely men. young men Bob Billy took fire first. Walter short second he managed to crawl down Bob Finley had to be carried down by my uncle. 

He begged to be let go. He screamed out in pain. He said just let me die. 

My uncle wouldn't let that happen. He carried him down with another man. He went back up and carried down another man. 

That 21 years old, he said there's still men up there and he went back up and never came back down. I only know about that because my grandmother passed away in 2008. and I was going through her things and I saw a bunch of letters from a man named Walter Scholz. I had no idea who this man was or why my grandmother was getting letters from him. 

I looked him up in the phone book, still had those back then. and I called the every single swills I could find in Brownsville, Michigan, which is what, um, where he was from, the address had. He answered the phone. and I introduced myself and said hello, Mr. Schultz, her name is Lydia Edwards. I'm the great piece of uh Sel manro. 

He said, you are. I said, yes, sir. And I said I want you to know my Dallas passed away, that was my grandmother's name. 

He said I I figured she hadn't responded in a while. I said I your letters are interesting. I want to know why you wrote my family all these years. 

And he proceeded to tell me the story about some. I know my history because of a young, some of immigrants, German immigrants from Brownsville, Michigan, told me my family's history that war story. But what is most important to me is he said, you know, he was a hero, he died, a hero's death. 

But he he didn't save me, he said, up and like, do you want his number? I said, yeah, I want his number. I called Bob. and Bob was surprised to hear my voice and know that I even existed. 

And I said, Bob, could you tell me what happened? And he said, well, I talked about how he got injured, how it was two black men who carried him down. and how he wanted me to know the tears coming. I can hear it in his voice, that he's lived a good life. 

He wanted me to know more than anything in the world. He has no idea why he lived my soom was taken. He wanted me to know he was a man of faith, he got his education. 

He was a coach, he was a teacher. He's been living two lives, he said, to compensate for the fact that someone couldn't live. He cried and you that I want you to know I'm a good man. 

I have done everything I can. I am a good man. I said, sir, you don't need to say anything to me. 

I just wanted to know the history. He died a month later. I say this story because my great uncle was part of the military experiment of integration. 

It was the first time, formerally, it allowed people of all colors to serve equally. He did not care the colors of his comrades when he went up that hill. He did not ask where they were from a political party they had. what they supported for who they supported for president. 

They were his people. and he was willing to die for them. So while you may some cynics may say he died for nothing, I think he died from what I am seeing right here in front of me. A beautiful nation. all colors and backgrounds, proud of itself, not perfect, but marching towards more patriot nation. 

I want to thank so many people who came before me, the women, veterans, the men, people of all colors, gays, lesbians, transgendered individuals who serve this country, served it perfectly, served it with all that they had, some dying for this country, because they loved this country, while sometimes wondering if the country loved them. I want you to know patriotism. is why we're all here today, and it comes in many forms. I'm proud to be a patriot. 

I'm proud to stand for this country and serve this country. I do that in my uncle's name. I do that for this country to be a better country. 

And I want to thank all of those veterans who have done that and made this a better country. So today, he celebrate them, we celebrate their sacrifice. We acknowledge a sacrifice that not only theirs but their wives, their husbands, their children's as well. 

And so all of those who served and left the war, but the war didn't leave you, please know you are not forgotten as you struggle on your day to day. Your mental health is still something we need to be responsible for. I'll make this final component, policy is everything, and patriotism and respect for our veterans needs to be reflected even more in our policies and how we treat them. 

One thing I'm proud of that we passed the state house is reason law that says that all portable housing programs and that he's of your town that opts in 10% won't be reserved for veterans only. assuring that they have access to those vouchers, asserving that they have access to be affordable units in the first time homeowner programs, all the cities have to do is opted. That's what we do. So, you can hear my voices leaving, but my passion is still here. 

Thank you so much for this honor to be the Grand Marshshal this year. I will continue to fight for veterans. I will continue to represent and I will continue to fight to make sure that we have more patriots in this nation. 



Commissioner Santiago


Thank you. I, thank you, Senator Edwards very profound words. Thank you very much for also sharing our destory with you, and yes, uh the city of Boston works with her and a state legislature on policies to ensure that our veterans and our neighbors who in the city of Boston are taking care of. 

At this time, I would like to pull up our city council president, who also comes from a family of service members. I know her a cousin very well who happens to get a shipmate of mine. ladies and gentlemen, I like to pull up here. 



City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune 


Good afternoon, everyone. 

I am Ruthzee Louijeune, president of the Boston City council and it is a joy to be with all of you today for Veterans Day as we honor all of you who have served our country. We thank you. There's actually nothing we can do that will be enough to show you how much we value what it means for you to sacrifice for your families to sacrifice so much for this country, so we thank you, we honor you, I thank you, Senator Edwards, for your service. 

I thank you, may oroop for your leadership here in the city to make sure that we are always front and center caring about the issues that matter most to our veterans. I was very proud to work on this legislation to co sponsor it with the vice president of the council, counselor Brian Worrell, so I wanted credit to him, the work that we're doing on around the property taxes for our veterans. It's because we care about our veterans and other service here to our cities. 

We on the Boston City council, uh we have a a counselor who himself is a veteran counselor at Blynn, who is also the chair of our veterans committee on the Boston City C council. We thank you for your service. It's all to enjoy committee to be here with my colleagues, uh, counselor at large, Julia Maia. 

We have two counselors on the Boston team council who are military boms, counsel forage and counselor Murphy, uh, a number of my colleagues like counselorersey and so many others have family members who are veterans. So this is personal for a lot of us. We know that sometimes we show up for our country, but the country doesn't always show up for you. 

And so we are doing that work correct that harm every day on the Boston City Council in partnership with our legislature, so I hope that you feel respected, loved and honored by your city every single day will work to make sure that our legislation reflects how much we value you. So thank you and happy veterans Day. pass it back to the best commissioner we've ever seen in the city of Boston, commissioners at. 


Commissioner Santiago


Uh, uh to the good good uh, good actually. I wanted to also recognize our chief of human services, our chief Jose Maso, who also come from a family of service members as grandfather served, uh coming up the ranks as a matter of fact at a time where it wasn'tvalent Latino community uh grandfather came up from being a private in the army and made it to a major in the army is also a cheap thing so much for your service as well. Now it is for me to introduce uh our number one advocate here in the city of Boston for our veterans, our mayor mayor Michelle Wu



Talk by Mayor Michelle Wu


Morning, everyone. What an honor to be here with you here after year, but especially in this moment when we are all confronted with what more we can do in the need that we hear in our communities, and the depths of service that this community represents. Uh, thank you so much to Commissioner Santiago and to our entire team in his office. 

We really strive to be best in class in Boston in addressing the veterans, military families, service members and all in our city who have a heart of service. And so the work they do every day to make our services proactive and accessible, uh I'm so proud and I'm so thankful for all of the hard work that you put in. Thank you so much to our colleague here in elected office. uh, lieutenant Senator Edwards, who's in immigration in every way. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to lead our parade and lead up so many initiatives across the Commonwealth. and city council President Led, Council Meia, Counselor Flynn and all of our council colleagues for the work they do to advance legislation and stand up for the funding and the resources for our veterans and military families. I'm grateful to all of our first responders, military organizations, all the family members, Goldstar families, the active service members and leaders who are joining us up here on the dais and also out in the community. You serve our community in many ways, and that service extends an entire lifetime if we want to recognize and thank you for that. 

Our goal in Boston is to make our city a home for everyone, and it is the active work of our veterans and service members and leaders who make that possible in every part of our city so to commander to it and all those that the American legion and all of our various posts and organizations, we thank you for all the work that goes unnoticed day and and day out outside of the major commemorations as well. You understand that service means giving up precious time with those that you love. It means courage and selflessness, and that willingness to risk everything to keep others safe. 

Since the founding of this nation, community members from Boston have answered that call. Our residents our very own have always stepped up to defend not just our city, but our nation. not just our homes, but our people, and the values and ideals that we continue to strive forth. One of those values is that we care for our own, especially those who have given so much to care for all of us. and while we're proud of the many ways in which Boston has always been a city that finds every way to celebrate and support our veterans, we know we can always do more. 

And that's why we're continue to expand the resources in place so that fossom can be the best possible home for our veterans. This past summer, under the commissioner's leadership, our office of veteran services launched its bridge the gap mini grant program, where nearly 100,000 in funding went to local organization supporting our veterans and military community. This included free and discounted veterans memberships at the Charleston YMCA to helping the heroes Haven Project provide furniture, food and health services to veterans in South Boston and beyond, and will be accepting applications for the second round of the bridge the gapini Grant funding starting next week. 

The goal is to provide twice as much funding as we did the first time around. So, if you're part of a veteran serving organization or you know someone who is, please make sure they know about this and have the opportunity to apply or reach out to our veteran search theam so that we can help support and exam the critical work that you're doing. And finally, today I practice sign an order that will adjust the property tax exemption for Boston veterans to help them save more money in the face of inflation and to give that just little bit of extra cushion that is much needed I want to thank Governor Healing and all of our colleagues at the state house, Senator Edwards, all the members of the Boston delegation, and in the Massachusetts executive Office of action services for clearing the way so that Boston and cities and towns across the Commonwealth could make this adjustment through the Ho act. and thank you so much to come for president tougen and Counselor Brian Morrell and all our colleagues for sponsoring the order and then voting it through unanimously. 

We all share the priority of making our city more affordable for all of our residents, including and especially our veterans. Thank you for your service. Boston is blessed to be your home, and now I'd like to invite commissioner Santiago to read the proclamation as we raised the flag., as we line up to get ready to raise the services veterans flag, 


Commissioner Santiago reading the proclamation 


I wanted to echo something from the mayor. 

She had mentioned the team at an office of veteran Services. I cannot have done this by myself. I could not be able to do all the great work that we do for our veterans without the team. at the office of veteran Services, and they are all here today to ensure that this parade that recognizes of our and honors our veterans, run in us very impactful and I believe it has been. 

So I want to, you know, tell them thank you in the public setting for all of the work that they do for our veterans, day in and day off. 

So if you could please join me in a a round of applause for the for the members of the office of veteran Services. 


Reading of the proclamation 


right at this time I am going to read the proclamation or that orders the raising of the services here in city hall plaza. 


City boss and proclamation, whereas President Dwight the Eisenhower signed the first veterans Day proclamation in 1954, calling on our nation to pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its warriors who have contributed so much to the preservation of this nation, and whereas on November 11, 2024, we recognize a legacy of loyalty and service honoring the unwavering dedication of our veterans. 

This reflects the endearing commitment of those who have served in the United States armed forces emphasizing their steadfast loyalty and selfless service to our nation, and whereas the city of Boston is home to over 20,000 veterans who has served our nation in times of both peace and conflict, many faced danger and fought for our way of life, and whereas through their selfless service there these dedicated neighbors who served in our armed forces, have kept our cities in our country strong, and inspired generations have followed, and proven their heroers of time and again, and whereas we recognized an honor with gratitude and respect our neighbors who have served in our own forces and sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms and our way of life. Now, therefore, mayor Michel Wu, mayor of the city of Boston, to hereright proclaim the 11th day of November to be veterans day in the city of Boston on this day and in recognition of veterans, service members, and their families, the mayor has ordered the property management department to raise the United States armed forces flag on the third flag pole here in city of Plaza in place of the city of Boston flag, signed mere Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston, November 9, 2024,, 

波士頓榮光會盛大參加美國退伍軍人會遊行 中華民國旗幟飄揚美景再現

所有圖片,波士頓榮光會提供

    (Boston Orange) 波士頓榮光會副理事長蘇麗萍率會員參加大波士頓每年一度的退伍軍人大遊行,波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏應邀參加,在大波士頓市區再次飄揚中華民國國旗。









 

舊時信樓改建25層高酒店提案 波士頓華埠支持、反對意見紛陳

新業藥在這時信樓舊址 (左)蓋25層高酒店。
                (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓華埠居民會 (CRA) 116日月例會有夏利臣街15-25號蓋25層高酒店計畫陳情,吸引共150餘人在包氏文藝中心,以及網上參加,分別陳述支持與反對意見。

陳情單位公佈的25層高示意圖。
               這一發展計畫從業主於今年2月提交意向書,8月進入發展程序,1015日召開影響顧問委員會 (Impact Advisory Group)會議,1017日由波士頓計畫局出面舉辦過一場公聽會後,116日再來到波士頓華埠居民會面前做說明。

               夏利臣街15-25號原本是有33個住宅單位的5層樓高時信樓20122月發生一場大火後,丟空至今。根據波士頓計畫局網站上有關土地發展項目的概要資料,業主Sing Ming Chan (譯音,陳新民)今年2月再提蓋酒店計畫。

這個月的華埠居民會改在包氏文藝中心舉行。
               目前的發展計畫是在3275平方英尺的土地上,蓋一座高277平方英尺,有25層樓,106間客房的酒店,總面積將為79,300平方英尺,一樓將劃出600平方英尺作社區藝術空間。酒店將利用街邊停車,附近幾個公共停車場來滿足停車需求,另在內部安置20個自行車停車位。

               波士頓華埠居民會會長黃國威和華埠居民Kate這晚主持會議,在業主代表說明蓋酒店計畫後,有不下十餘人分別發表意見。

駱理德表示華埠附近已經有不下10 家酒店。
               朱沛国堂主席夫人,也是遡源公所重要幹部的鄺坤珍在發言時先表白自己並無贊成或反對意見,但每次辦懇親大會,找旅館安置外埠來宗親都十分頭痛的經驗,讓她覺得如果華埠之內有個旅,可就方便多了。

               鄺坤珍還說,她在中華公所工作時,常接到波士頓華埠內有無旅館或酒店可租住的查詢電話。還有過一對中國夫婦來波士頓看病,因為英文不好,來到中華公所求助,想找個語言通的地方待診。

這場公聽會出席人數踴躍。
               大同村居民鄺元傑認為,在華埠蓋酒店,有錦上添花功效,既有助於外地人到波士頓旅遊時就近在華埠用餐、購物,帶動地方經濟,還方便華埠居民親友遠地來訪,或姓宗親來參加懇親會時,就近有個落腳處。

               至於酒店高度,鄺元傑認為那要從空間利用,投資收益比率,對周遭環境在交通、安全、噪音、汙染上可能造成的影響等來分析,而且政府也有規定。

圖片來自臉書。
               華人前進會行政主任陳玉珍表示,她雖然沒有機會住在華埠,但她在華埠找到了屬於她的社區及身份。華埠對她來說是個很特別的地方,她很感恩能夠在華埠工作,支持居民及工人,組織起權力。如今她在華埠的時間,比在任何一個其他地方的時間都長。


              
陳玉珍說,看到提出這發展計畫的是華人移民同胞時,她感到心碎。她還以為華人同胞們已經從假繁榮之名推出發展計畫,實際上卻對社區有害的影響中學到了教訓。

               19601970年代,紅燈區 (combat zone)搬進了華埠。有些人支持,因為相信那會給華埠帶來更多生意,但卻忘了那也把犯罪、妓女帶進了華埠,後來得花上十幾、廿年的時間來清除鄰里。快轉20年,在華盛頓街上有許多豪華高樓蓋了起來。那時候人們以美化市容,驅逐紅燈區之名,支持這些發展計畫,結果卻是這些發展計畫不只趕走了成人娛樂業,也逼使許多居民搬遷。一份2013年做的調查稱,華埠內的亞裔居民比率也從90%降到了50%。他們也看到了一系列的居民流離失所事件。

               陳玉珍指出,華埠社區內有些人及組織支持在公有土地上,只要有30%的可負擔住宅就行了,但華人前進會和另一組織反對,因為應該至少有50%的可負擔單位。

               劉仲岳指出,怕就怕,一旦居民們同意了給這個發展計畫的高度開綠燈,其他的發展計畫也將效尤。

               華埠土地信託會主任駱理德表示,華埠附近已經有至少10家酒店、旅館,其中包括青年旅舍 (Hostel),也並不貴,華埠之內不需要再建一個旅館,發展計畫業主是華人,並不足以作為支持理由。

               日前,波士頓華埠商會會長陳仕維在臉書上貼出一張照片,有不下10人天下為公牌樓前舉牌支持,他還一連寫了3次支持。

               根據波士頓市政府計畫局的網上流程,這一發展計畫的公眾置評時間,將於1129日到期。查詢項目詳情,可上BPD網站https://bpda.app.box.com/s/ahiyiwzxypojmvxjw4wp4q74mwpxemyw。 (更新版,天下為公)