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SALT LAKE CITY — About 70 years ago, Melvel Owen was on a ship coming into New York Harbor.
As he watched the Statue of Liberty glide past his view, he reflected on the suffering and strife he'd left behind in Europe. When he disembarked, a woman with the Red Cross handed him a glass of milk and a donut.
Though still thousands of miles from his Utah home, Owen said the feeling of peace as a soldier coming home after war was overwhelming.
"I couldn't hold back the tears. I kneeled down and kissed the ground. I was so happy to be back in the good old U.S. of A.," Owen said. "I was mighty lucky."
Owen was one of several Utahns who shared memories of the war as part of a symposium Saturday hosted by the Utah Chinese Organizing Committee in commemoration of 70 years since the end of World War II.
For many of the roughly 50 attendees, it was a chance to recognize joint efforts between China and the United States during the war, and to call for peaceful relations between the two in the years ahead.
Taowen Le, a representative of the Chinese province of Liaoning, said friendships forged in war — whether between two soldiers or two nations — can and should last for generations.
"The American people and the Chinese people fought shoulder (to) shoulder against the invaders, and many splendid and glorious chapters were written in the history book of China-U.S. relations," Le said. "Seventy years ago, the common goal of defending peace brought the two great countries of China and the U.S. together, and it's my great hope that friendship of 70 years ago will serve as a guide to China and to the U.S. as the two countries further develop our relations."
I couldn't hold back the tears. I kneeled down and kissed the ground. I was so happy to be back in the good old U.S. of A. I was mighty lucky.
–Melvel Owen, veteran
Sujiu Zhang is the daughter of Zhang Zhizhong, who was a general in the Chinese Army during World War II. As she reflects this year on her father's service and the sacrifice of millions of soldiers, Suju Zhang said she hopes others will take the time to spread peace in their own spheres of influence.
"We Chinese people bleed love for peace," Zhang said through a translator. "We can help recall the friendship that was built during the war between the U.S. and the Chinese people. It is particularly important that in today's world, we can still work together."
Walter Recksiek is also a child of a veteran of World War II. His father fought for the German army and was wounded by shrapnel from a hand grenade that pierced his chest. Later, he was captured by U.S. soldiers and taken to a prisoner of war camp until the end of the war.
Recksiek said the 70th anniversary of the war's end in 1945 is cause to reflect on the efforts of those who sought to bring peace despite overwhelming conflict worldwide.
"My dad saw throughout the war, the inhumane and the ugly side of humans came out, but it was counter-balanced with the good that many did," Recksiek said. "I believe very strongly that peace starts with us."
