Liao Mingfa hands the key to the old residence of his family to Susann. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Chinese elder Liao Mingfa gave the key to his old house to his United States "sister" Susann Ozuk at the opening ceremony of an exhibition for the Doolittle Raid held in Quzhou, Zhejiang province on April 18. 

In the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, the Doolittle Raid took place on April 18, 1942, where 16 B-25 bombers led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle executed a daring assault on Japan. Due to low fuel and other issues, the pilots were forced to parachute over China on their way back. 

Liao Mingfa, an 89-year-old man living in Jiangshan, Quzhou, vividly recalls his experience as a little boy when on April 19, 1942, his father, Liao Shiyuan, rescued a foreign man in the local mountains. 

That man was Susann's father, Charles Ozuk, one of the pilots of the No 3 bomber. He stayed in Liao Shiyuan's home for about four days and was taken good care of by the kind family. 

Among the 75 raiders aboard 15 planes, 64 were rescued by Chinese civilians. The month following the raid saw the relentless bombing of Quzhou airport and a brutal campaign of germ warfare in the city, leading to an estimated 250,000 deaths. 

Now, 82 years have passed, yet the memory of this historic event has never faded. Descendants of the Doolittle Raiders frequently return to China to honor this shared history. 

Under a banner reading "Welcome Susann Ozuk Home", a reunion between Susann and the Liao family unfolded on April 17 at the Liao's old residence in Longtoudian village, Jiangshan.

"My home is also yours. You are welcome here anytime," Liao Mingfa told Susann as he handed her the key to the house. 

Last year, Susann generously donated $15,000 for the renovation of the old house. The old house, standing steadfast amid the passage of time, bears witness to the enduring friendship forged in blood and fire.

Reflecting on her father's rescue, Susann remarked, "On that night in 1942 when my father was found and brought to Liao's home, I have become a brother and a friend of Mr Liao. I have undying gratitude for the people of Quzhou who risked their lives to save the Doolittle Raiders, and especially for the friendship that has been forged between my family and the Liao family." 

"My father always liked to say 'happy landings', so I thank the city for making this a happy landing for me," she added. 

In 1994, Quzhou and Red Wing, Minnesota in the US became sister cities. Since 2016, Quzhou No 2 High School has hosted a number of essay contests on the Doolittle Raid.

Susann awards the first prize essay winner. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

On April 19, Susann and four other members of the Children of the Doolittle Raiders group went to the school to present awards to 18 winners of this year's contest.

At the award ceremony, Susann said, "Youth symbolizes the future and hope. Many descendants of the Doolittle Raiders, including myself, are old now. It is therefore crucial for young people to keep telling these stories and nurturing these friendships, ensuring that this history remains alive."