West Chester Township Administrator Lee Wong, who went viral in March for discovering his chest and war wounds while speaking out against anti-Asian hatred, spoke at the National Mall in Washington DC during the ceremonies of Memorial Day.

“I’m here in DC,” Wong said in an interview with Zoom just before leaving his hotel room for the ceremonies. “Number one is for the sacrifice of those who served his country, the fallen warriors and those who still serve, we must remember them.”

Monday’s rally at the National Mall closed Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, while honoring the men and women of service who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Since the video, in which Wong shared his personal story, he has been interviewed by news agencies around the world. He said that overall he was very surprised by the impact of the video on people around the world.

“I was surprised that this resonated with so many people, my message about kindness, good citizens to our fellow citizens, and we are all the same,” Wong said.

Wong left China for the United States at the age of 18 and was beaten in Chicago because of his run a few years later. He served 20 years in the military and received the scar he discovered during the reunion while at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

Recognizing the diversity in the United States as a nation is vitally important, Wong said.

“Diversity is the strength that you are, we are different, that we are different, but we will live and work together,” he said.