Descendants take pride in unique bond

For the descendants of late United States Army General Joseph Stilwell, the city of Chongqing in Southwest China serves as a unique bond connecting their family with the Chinese people for over 80 years.

This week, the fifth generation of the general's family, four boys and one girl of his great-granddaughters Susan Mai Easterbrook Cole and Nancy Easterbrook Millward, were taken to China for the first time and introduced to the legacy of the military leader in Chongqing.

"It's very overwhelming," Millward, 46, executive director of Silicon Valley Directors' Exchange, told local media.

"We have a lot of pride in our family, especially our great-grandfather General Stilwell. It is always very emotional for us to come here and to continue the legacy that he started... to continue to build a friendship with the Chinese people."

The two great-granddaughters said that although they are of a generation that did not know the general personally, they are fortunate to be able to draw on recollections of their grandmother Nancy Stilwell, one of Stilwell's daughters, who did know him intimately.

In 1987, Nancy Stilwell led a group of 15 family members to visit China. The trip helped the two great-granddaughters understand the importance of continuing the friendship between the two peoples. Since then, they have visited China many times.

Relations moving forward

"I think that (the 1987 trip) really opened the door for us to recognize the importance of the Chinese people, the American people and keeping up great relations moving forward," Millward said.

"I think especially these days, it's extra important to have good relations between the US and China. And we are absolutely delighted to be here to be stewards of the legacy of General Stilwell and move these friendships forward."

Bringing their children to Chongqing is an emotional experience for 49-year-old Cole, who is the human resources director of Edwards Life-sciences in California.

"The experience (of visiting Chongqing) is able to show our children what our great-grandfather did, what got passed down to our grandmother, to our father ... It is very difficult to put words to that feeling," she said.

The trip also provided the children with an opportunity to better understand their ancestor, Millward said.

"I think they've really enjoyed our time here experiencing a new culture," she said.

As old friends of the city, the two sisters are surprised by the fast development of Chongqing and touched by the warmth of the Chinese people.

"It is amazing how much Chongqing has grown, and the skyscrapers are just magnificent," Cole said.

"There's one thing that has not changed: The warmth of the Chinese people. It has been amazing to be greeted and welcomed."