In late September 2023, NOAAV founder Peter Chow took part in a significant event at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) as part of the LMU Digital Veterans Legacy (LDVL) Project exhibition. The weeklong exhibition showcased research and digital work by LMU AFROTC members, undergraduate students, and high school participants, highlighting the often-overlooked stories of veterans of color.
The LDVL Project aims to uplift the stories of these veterans and to give students the opportunity to investigate the historical contexts that drove people of color to enlist, even during politically tumultuous moments in history. For example, Buffalo Soldiers bravely served the United States during a time where formalized racial segregation ran rampant. For project manager Julianne De La Cerda, the project’s mission is important because it cuts to the core of how American identity has shifted over time.
“When you think about, for example, Japanese American veterans, many chose to leave internment camps to serve their country,” said De La Cerda. “What would make someone want to serve a country that has historically discriminated against them? Researching this expands ideas of what it means to be an American, which is really important because history is different for different groups.”
The project originally received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The grant was renewed this year, a testament to the important and collaborative work being done at LMU. The interdisciplinary, multimedia project actively engages the community in learning about histories not often studied in the traditional classroom setting. The engaged learning aspect is vital to Deanna Cooke, clinical associate professor of psychology and director of the LDVL Project. Cooke is also the director of the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts’ Engaged Learning program.
“There is so much at a national level that is attempting to erase history and wash over history,” said Cooke. “I’m very proud to be a part of something that is actually trying to uplift history. The stories of folks fighting in wars have been told, but these individual stories haven’t been told.”
Chow, a respected advocate for Asian American veterans, engaged in an on-stage conversation with Christopher Williams, Lt. Col. Nathan, and Dr. Brad Stone. This panel discussion focused on the importance of recognizing and documenting the contributions of minority veterans to U.S. military history.
As the president of the Organization of Asian American Veterans, Chow has been a vocal proponent of increasing visibility for Asian American service members. His oft-quoted statement, "We need people to know that we fought for this country too," encapsulates the mission of both NOAAV and the LMU Digital Veterans Legacy Project.
The exhibition and Chow's participation align with NOAAV's goals of educating the public about the service and sacrifices of Asian American veterans. It also reflects Chow's ongoing commitment to mentoring and supporting students, as evidenced by his volunteer work with various educational initiatives.
This event marks another step in NOAAV's efforts to ensure that the stories of Asian American veterans are preserved, shared, and integrated into the broader narrative of American military history. By participating in such public forums, NOAAV continues to raise awareness and foster a more inclusive understanding of our nation's diverse veteran community.
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