Community Corner

Remembering the Roots of America's Greatness

Town Ceremony Recalls Declaration of Independence, Opportunities Available in the 'Land of the Free'

For many born in America, the country's freedom and opportunities may seem like the norm.

But state Rep. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, who came to America at the age of 9 when his father sought a better way of life for his family, knows better.

"As an Asian-American that immigrated to the United States, I have personally seen the American difference of true freedom and opportunity versus other countries.  And how much that positive difference has allowed me to pursue and live the American dream," Hwang, keynote speaker at the town's 117th annual Independence Day Celebration this morning, said.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hwang said his parents' family escaped by boat to the island of Taiwan from mainland China in 1949 when communists led by Mao Zedong overthrew the Nationalist Government of Chiang Kai-shek and imposed martial law on the citizens of Taiwan.

"Economically, options were limited if you were not politically connected or well educated. And my parents had neither and their economic future was limited," Hwang said to about 50 veterans and residents on the Town Green. "Politically, the media was tightly controlled, outspoken advocates and academic figures were blacklisted or jailed, and school curriculum was heavily controlled.  Political freedom to articulate and influence public policy was limited.  Martial law was finally lifted 38 years later in 1987."

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hwang said freedoms that Americans enjoy and sometimes take for granted were not available when he was growing up in Taiwan. " We simply did not know such personal freedoms were denied nor did we expect them as a personal right," he said. "You do not always fully appreciate what tremendous rights and privilege we have in the United States, until you have experienced living without them as I did in Taiwan."

Hwang said his father, who passed away last year from cancer and whom he described as "my greatest hero," realized that living in such a controlled political and business environment was not acceptable to him and chose to come to the United States against great obstacles to build a future for his family.

"My father taught me throughout his life, before his passing from cancer last year, that living in America is an honor and privilege and that we should never take it for granted," Hwang said. "He constantly reminded me to always strive to live the American dream of financial security and public service to the fullest.  I am here as an evolving product of that dream succeeding."

"I believe that we are empowered to build our own financial security and that we can reap what we sow economically, that we can ultimately control our own economic future," Hwang said.

Before Hwang's address, three Fairfield residents - portraying Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin - read the Declaration of Independence.

Max Rein, who portrayed Jefferson and who will be a senior at Fairfield College Preparatory School in the fall, said he enjoyed reading a passage from the document by which America proclaimed its independence from Britain.

"I think it's exciting because I got to read the famous 'life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,' " Rein said after the 45-minute ceremony sponsored by Fairfield United Veterans had ended. "I think it was great to come here and see the veterans. It's great to see all these people come back year after year and see the patriotism."

Andrew Pane, who portrayed Adams and who attends the University of Connecticut, said he read the Declaration of Independence at the town's two previous Independence Day Celebrations and nearly had his passage memorized. "It's just nice to come out here and see American pride," he said.

Sam Jones, who portrayed Franklin and who will be a freshman at the New England Conservatory in Boston this fall, said he didn't know about the town's Independence Day Ceremony until recently and that it was "nice to give something back, especially to the veterans."

"It's just a way of saying 'Thanks,' " Jones said, adding that there was nothing greater an American could do for their country than serving to protect and defend it.

Linda Paslov, a member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and descendant of Benjamin Jaquith, who fought in the Revolutionary War in New Hampshire, said veterans contributed to America by fighting for the freedoms Americans enjoy today.

"What you have given to this nation, the United States of America, is very much appreciated," Paslov said to veterans in the audience.

Hwang said after the ceremony that the message of freedom and opportunity in America needed to be heard by more than people who fought for it and already knew how unique it was in the world. "Young people, that's who really needs to hear that message," he said.

"We have tried to get that message out to younger people, that we have it pretty doggone good and we shouldn't take it for granted," Hwang said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here