Historical Marker Nominated By Burke Students Chosen

BURKE, VA — One of five new historical markers announced by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander history was nominated by Burke students.

The governor announced the new state historical highway markers as part of the inaugural AAPI Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest in May. Virginia students could submit nominations on topics of national, state, and regional significance to Asian American Pacific Islander history in Virginia. Northam, First Lady Pamela Northam and members of the governor's administration recognized the nominating students and submissions in a virtual event Monday.

"As we continue working to tell a more comprehensive and inclusive Virginia story, I am grateful for the efforts of Virginia students and educators in helping elevate the voices of prominent AAPI Virginians with these five new historical markers," said Northam in a statement.

Cherry Run Elementary School students in Burke nominated the "Filipinos in the U.S. Navy" historical marker, chosen to be installed in Virginia Beach. Adult students in an English as a Second Language program in Chesterfield County made the same nomination.

The historical marker states:

Filipino members of the U.S. Navy have served in Hampton Roads since at least the Civil War. A full Filipino-American community began emerging after the Philippines achieved independence in 1946 and the Navy began recruiting Filipinos for all positions. Today, spurred by the Navy and a large nursing community, Hampton Roads is the second-largest Filipino community on the East Coast.

Other winning submissions are:

"Kim Kyusik" (Salem), nominated by students from Cumberland Middle School in Cumberland, Virginia

In 1903, Kyusik graduated from Roanoke College, which today funds a fellowship in his memory. He held several roles in the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea including foreign minister and vice president, and was a representative at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. He was kidnapped by North Korean factions after World War II and died in captivity.

"Arthur Azo Matsu" (Williamsburg) nominated by students from Cumberland Middle School in Cumberland, Virginia

Matsu graduated from William & Mary in 1927, where he was the first Asian American student. The son of a Scottish mother and a Japanese father, he became a leader on campus even as Virginia introduced a series of laws in the 1920s to prevent “race mixing.” He became the first Japanese-American football player in the National Football League as a quarterback, after guiding William & Mary’s high-octane offense from 1923–1926 and leading the program to its first postseason win.

"W. W. Yen" also known as Yan Huiqing (Charlottesville) nominated by students from Hunters Woods Elementary in Reston, Virginia

Yen graduated from the University of Virginia in 1900, where he was the first international student to earn a bachelor’s degree and the first Chinese student to earn a degree. One of China’s key early 20th century leaders, he served as premier five times and held a series of important cabinet and diplomatic posts. The University of Virginia now has a dorm and scholarship fund named after him.

"Vietnamese Immigrants in Northern Virginia" (Falls Church) nominated by students at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia

The Vietnamese community began solidifying in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood during the 1970s, becoming known as Little Saigon by the end of the decade. The fall of the South Vietnamese government spurred a surge in immigration, with the D.C. area becoming the third-largest Vietnamese community in the country. Climbing rents pushed much of the Vietnamese commerce west to the Eden Center in the 1980s, which over the ensuing years has expanded and became at one point the largest Vietnamese shopping district in the country.

The five historical markers will be among the first focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander history in Virginia. They will be submitted to the Board of Historic Resources in September and could receive approval in the coming months.

Virginia's historical highway marker program dates back to 1927, recognizing events, accomplishments and personalities of historical significance in the commonwealth. Over 2,600 historical markers have been installed to date. Northam also held a Black History Month Historical Marker Contest for the second year to recognize the commonwealth's African American history. Three of the five historical markers chosen in 2021 were nominated by Kings Glen Elementary students in Springfield.