We Belong Here: Reflections of a Chinese American Veteran

Speech at Asian American Education Project workshop

Good evening.

My name is Philip Du.
I am a proud Chinese American, and a veteran of the United States Army.

When I raised my right hand, I swore an oath to defend this country — our country — against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
That oath was, and always will be, one of the greatest honors of my life.

But even wearing the American flag on my shoulder, even after serving with pride, there were moments when people still looked at me and asked,
“So you said you served in the Army, which army did you serve in?”

I laughed it off at the time — but inside, it stung.
Because in that moment, they weren’t questioning my service.
They were questioning my belonging.

Let me be clear: my loyalty has never been divided.
It was — and always will be — to this nation,
to the ideals of freedom, duty, and sacrifice that generations of Asian Americans have fought and bled for.

---

Why This Matters

That is why this project matters.
Because for far too long, Asian Americans have had to fight two battles —
Not only do we have to fight for America’s wars, and we also have to fight for America’s acceptance coming home.
But the truth is — the fight for belonging doesn’t always end when the war does.
Sometimes, it follows us home.

---

A Story That Says It All

I want to share a story that captures this truth. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/9H0ViPMutHc?si=hbZPXnDQm9XE8rN9

It’s about an Asian American veteran who served his country with courage —
and later, served his community as a town board member.

During one meeting, after his loyalty was questioned, he quietly stood up…
took off his suit jacket…
and showed everyone the scar he carried from war.

In that moment, he didn’t have to say a word.
His sacrifice spoke for him.

That scar was a reminder —
that the struggle for acceptance, for full recognition as Americans,
is not something confined to the battlefield.
It’s something we continue to face right here at home.

---

Service. Sacrifice. Identity.

That moment says everything.

Service. Sacrifice. Identity.
And the quiet strength it takes to remind others that we belong.

This is why we’re here today.
Because every name we honor, every story we tell, every veteran we uplift, we are sending a message:

We built this country just like any other immigrants come before us from Europe;
We defended it with our lives just like any other races;

We honor our history and educate our people, because we don’t want our future generations still have to ask permission to be seen

---

And by remembering those who came before us,
we light the way for those who will follow —
so that no American, ever again,
has to fight for their country’s acceptance after fighting for its freedom.

Thank you.