Vietnam Vet Receives Proper Burial

We laid Frank Yee (75) who succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire on July 4, 2023 at 42 Mulberry Street to rest today. After friends said their final goodbyes this morning at the Ng Fook Funeral home. He was given A US Army Honor Guard service when his casket arrived at Calverton National Cemetery in Wading River NY on Long Island.

Working on a hunch and with limited information I decided to submit several FOIA requests to check if Frank had served in the US military. It took several days before I received a call back from the national archives officer who confirmed Frank’s service and agreed to send me a partial service record.

When I received the email, I was elated to see Frank had served his country during the Vietnam War with distinction and earned 6 medals in his 35-month enlistment.

Among the medals earned were ::

*Bronze Star Medal

*Army Commendation Medal

*Vietnam Campaign Medal

*Vietnam Service Medal

*National Defense medal

*Good Conduct Medal

The cause of my excitement was Frank could now be interred with others who served in a National Military Cemetery. Armed with this new information i called the National scheduling office and explained the situation to a scheduler who went beyond the call and found Frank’s discharge papers and advised me he was indeed eligible for Military services and honors. I then inquired about nearby options and was given Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island.

Pressed for time because Frank’s funeral had already been scheduled for Thursday July 20. I contacted the Ng Fook funeral home and provided the number to request burial at Calverton. The request was granted and Frank Yee will lay in eternal peace alongside others who proudly served.

Frank had never mentioned his military service but many who served in Vietnam didn’t. I hope to fill in more blanks as I receive his full military record in the future.

Frank’s beloved bulldog Bam Bam’s ashes were placed in the casket to join him in eternal rest.

Frank’s flagged draped casket leaves Ng Fook funeral home after services.

US Army Honor Guard salute

Frank’s friend Oscar Hernadez, Karlin Chan and Milly Hui . Oscar had gifted Bam Bam to Frank 7 years ago.

Frank M Yee will rest in a place of honor with others who have earned the right..

The GoFundMe fundraiser for Frank’s grave marker was hugely successful and I stopped accepting donations when the total reached. $5187.00 in 3 days. I have disbursed $3447.00 to cover cost of the casket and other funeral home charges which the Chinatown Mural Project has fronted.

The GoFundMe funds raised were earmarked for a grave marker but since interment at a National Cemetery includes plot and marker, the funds went towards the casket and related charges. The Celestial Love Foundation picked up the rest of Funeral home charges.

I will post receipts and disbursements when funds are received for GoFundMe on the fundraising page.

Thank you all for caring and supporting Frank M. Yee