Fang A. Wong, 2012 Distinguished Patriot, Will Be Honored at George Washington Birthday Ball in New York City

The Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York (SRNY) announces the recipient of its 2012 Distinguished Patriot Award is Fang A. Wong, National Commander of the American Legion. He will be formally honored with the award on February 16, 2012 at the annual George Washington Birthday Ball in New York City.

A colorful event, rich in tradition and ceremony, The George Washington Birthday Ball is hosted every year in Manhattan by the SRNY to honor the birth of the famous General and first President of the United States. The event also serves as a fund-raiser for Fraunces Tavern® Museum, Manhattan's only museum exclusively devoted to the American Revolution and early American culture. The Museum is partly housed in the famous building where General Washington bade his farewell to his officers in 1783.

The Distinguished Patriot Award has been bestowed at the Ball since 1961. In recognition of the ten-year anniversary of the events of 9/11 the 2011 award recipients were Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano and the entire New York City Fire Department. Previous recipients have included Senator Robert J. Dole, astronaut Col. Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., R. E. "Ted" Turner, Navy Secretary John G. Lehman Jr. and Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr.

A naturalized American citizen, Commander Wong's story is inspiring, not only as an example of first-class patriotism but also as the embodiment of the American Dream. Commander Wong was born in Canton, China and immigrated to the United States as a 12-year-old in 1960. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1969, serving 25 months in Vietnam. After retiring from the Army in 1989 he became deeply involved in community and veterans affairs. Through his American Legion post in New York's Chinatown Wong helped direct relief efforts in the aftermath of 9/11. His diverse volunteer activities have included membership on the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training and Employer Outreach of the Department of Labor, and serving as chairman of the Special Investigation Committee for the Chinese Community Benevolent Association (NYC) and the Office of the Attorney General, State of New York. For a detailed biography of Commander Wong please visit the American Legion's website at http://legion.org/commander/bio

For several years now the Knickerbocker Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has assisted in hosting the Ball with the SRNY. They will also present their own award during the evening. For more information about the NSDAR please visit: www.dar.org.

About the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York (SRNY)

Since 1884 the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc. (SRNY) has been devoted to educating the public about and preserving the memory of the American Revolutionary War and its Patriots. It achieves this through a variety of public activities from erecting monuments to sponsoring parades and other public events. The centerpiece of these efforts is Fraunces Tavern Museum, which the SRNY has owned and operated for over a century.

In 1904, the SRNY purchased Fraunces Tavern and hired preservation architect William Mersereau to return it to its colonial appearance. Fraunces Tavern® Museum opened to the public in 1907.

SRNY members are descendants of those who fought in the Revolutionary War or otherwise placed themselves at risk for the Patriot cause.

The Sons of the Revolution is not affiliated with the "Sons of the American Revolution", a separate organization. For more information on the SRNY or the George Washington Birthday Ball please telephone the SRNY office at 212-425-1776 or visit www.sonsoftherevolution.org.

About Fraunces Tavern® Museum

Fraunces Tavern was built in 1719 as an elegant residence for the merchant Stephan Delancey and his family. In 1762, the home was purchased by tavern-keeper Samuel Fraunces, who turned it into one of the most popular taverns of the day. Though it is best known as the site where Washington gave his farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army in 1783, the tavern also played a significant role in pre-Revolutionary activities.

Today, the Museum complex includes four 19th Century buildings in addition to the 18th Century Fraunces Tavern building. Fraunces Tavern® Museum's mission is to educate the public about New York City history as it relates to Colonial America, the Revolutionary War, and the Early Republic.

The Museum is located at 54 Pearl Street, Manhattan and is open seven days a week, 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call 212-425-1778 or visit www.frauncestavernmuseum.org.

FRAUNCES TAVERN® is a registered service mark of Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc.