Reported by Cassie Tammy Wang
The Memorial Day is May 27th, just around the corner. In February, Greater Princeton AYLUS (GPA) accepted an invitation of music performance for the hundreds of veterans and their families at NJ Veterans Memorial Home, United States Veterans Affairs Department (Location: 132 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 3013, Edison, NJ 08818-3013, website: https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/memorial-homes/, phone: 732-452-4100).
The facility was rebuilt in 1999 on 109-acres in Middlesex County. It is the most modern, state-of-the-art nursing home in the United States. The 312-bed facility features a “town square” core with resident living areas located around the perimeter. The home is adjacent to Roosevelt Hospital, and is easily accessible from Routes 1 and 287, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.
On May 25th, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, 30 GPA members and their parents, in total 66 people, spent 4 hours to host its first-time “Music from Heart” Memorial Day Performance in this facility. Hundreds of Veterans and their family members attended the performance. The Council Vice President for West Windsor, Dr. Yingchao “YZ” Zhang, a scientist, technologist, and a musician with passion, attended this GPA students organized community service event and gave a brief speech to support our GPA student members.
Prior to the performance, GPA President Cassie Tammy Wang, a young Award Winning Published Artist, thanked everyone for attending the event, gifted one of her proudest painting work entitled “Legacy” to Ms. Christine A. Caratozzolo, Supervisor of Recreation. Ms. Caratozzolo gladly accepted this wonderful gift for veterans. It is to be displayed year-round at the Menlo Park Memorial Home.
With her artwork being displayed on the side of stage, Cassie announced the start of performance: a beautiful music of “The Star Spangled Banner” by violin, viola, and cello Trio. The program was indeed put together elaborately to salute to veterans by presenting songs like “The Star Spangled Banner”. Many Veterans saluted through the song! There were other beautiful songs, including “I Got the Sun in the Morning” by Claire Jiang, “Reflection” by Joyce Li, instrumental pieces of “America the Beautiful” by Allen Zhang and Vanessa Zhang, “Amazing Grace” by Amy Lin, Dancing “Her Royal Female Consort” by three students of Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy, “Sleeve Dance Beauty” by Rachael Ngai, tap dance of “Billie Jean” by Larry Liu, and “Schindler’s List” by Kylie Zhou and Kyler Zhou.
In addition, GPA members brought in Guzheng, Cello, Piano, Violin; little Magic Tricks; and the best of all, Chinese Martial Arts – “Kungfu of Sword and Tiger Fist” to end the program! Everyone was extremely appreciative of the performance and enjoyed it very much. Apparently, GPA members brought lots of joy to the seniors! Everyone was so impressed by the professional performance and strongly encouraged GPA talented members to return and perform again in the near future.
GPA appreciates everyone’s great effort at NJ Veterans Memorial Home today! Talented members are always encouraged to give musical performances at locations wherever “music from heart” will bring the community a lot of joy. Those who are not performing are also encouraged to participate as volunteers to support the performers and help GPA help more people in need.
Hosts: Cassie Tammy Wang, Kevin Liu, Xinyi Christine Zhang, and Daniel Ju.
Performers: Xinyi Christine Zhang, Nicole Liu, Kevin Liu, Claire Jiang, Kyler Zhou, Sophia Zhang, Arielle Li, Scarlett Chen, Rong Deng, Rachael Ngai, Allen Zhang, Vanessa Zhang, Angelina Yingying Liu, Jianning (Jennifer) Wang, Jennifer Liu, Larry Liu, Amy Lin, Edward Li, Kylie Zhou, Joyce Li, Dingji (Kevin) Yang
Volunteers: Lana Cheng (Guide); Anderson Chiang (Reminder); Jeffrey Ngai and Jeremy Liu (Stage); Xin Chen, Larry Liu and Mingjun Liu (Music and Sound System).
Service Time for all: 4 hours (and 6 additional hours for Xinyi Christine Zhang to create our performance video, THANK YOU!!)
Enjoy our performance video and photos!
Download more photos here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j3SfFpDJ1-mIy-lB0FAJw2xUAec6Y2fM?usp=sharing