New exhibit honors the contributions of Asian American veterans

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For the first time, an exhibit that chronicles the contributions of Asian American veterans is on display in Los Angeles County.

Stories from World War I all the way to present day are featured in the lobby of the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, and curator Monty Hom hopes it sparks pride.

"There hasn't ever been a widespread storytelling of Chinese or Asians in the military," Hom said. "We're sort of always in the background, if that make sense. But yet we have people that served, sacrifice, died for this country, very little known, and I think our stories need to be told."

Hom said the exhibit is for everyone as it documents what these Asian American men and women have sacrificed for this country. Eliza Kim said as an Asian American woman herself, climbing the ranks in the Army reserve, she's happy to see the representation.

"I was at OCS two years ago and I was at BOLC last year and I'm still 1 of 10," she said. "So I'm 10% Asian female in every room I enter. So to show the 10% on the whole floor in the lobby is quite nice to see, even once a year."

Hom said he began collecting the artifacts when he was just 10 years old. He said much of the history has been forgotten, making the exhibit that much more important.

"This history, you could really say, has been forgotten, especially as the time goes forward." Hom said. "If we don't have this, there's nothing to remember, so the artifacts, the stories, to me, are really key. I feel if we don't have that, we have nothing to save for our future generations."

Hom said the exhibit has gotten great feedback which is why it's being extended through June.

It's free and open to the public at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall.