On July 5th, a celebration marking the 249th anniversary of the United States was held at Kimlau Square in Chinatown, organized by over ten overseas Chinese associations and community organizations. This was Chinatown’s first Independence Day celebration, with more than 200 people attending to listen to the stories of several generations of Chinese Americans who have defended and contributed to the construction of the United States, as well as to experience the lively dragon and lion dance performances in the Chinese community.
The commemorative event began at 11 a.m. with the theme of “Listening to Unknown and Hidden Stories”. Randall Eng, former chairman of the Chinese American Veterans of New York, and Kenneth Wong, the current chairman, served as keynote speakers, sharing their own experiences, as well as those of their ancestors and other Chinese Americans, in contributing to the construction of the American railroad, serving in the military, and becoming judges. They highlighted the outstanding contributions of the Chinese American community to the United States.
Randall Eng shared that as a second-generation military veteran in his family, his father served during World War II and faced discrimination upon returning home. This experience motivated him and his two sisters to pursue education fervently. Eng eventually became the first Chinese American Chief Judge in New York State, while his sisters became a doctor and a lawyer respectively. He reflected on his military career and emphasized the continuous growth and empowerment of Chinese Americans who have faced challenges in fields such as military service, law, and medicine.
Eng also pointed out that over the years, despite setbacks experienced by many Chinese Americans in various fields, they have continued to grow and thrive. The increasing presence of elected Chinese American officials at the municipal, state, and federal levels in New York City signifies the growing influence and contributions of the Chinese American community in the United States.
Kenneth Wong, the current chairman of the Chinese American Veterans of New York, shared his story of growing up in Chinatown. He arrived in the U.S. with his parents during his childhood and later joined the Navy, serving for 25 years. His great-grandfather was one of the early Chinese workers who helped build the railroad in the United States, but he was deported back to China after more than thirty years in the U.S. due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. It wasn’t until the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943 that his great-grandfather obtained legal status.
Wong highlighted the significant contributions made by many Chinese Americans in the construction of the transcontinental railroad, contributions that should be better understood and commemorated in textbooks for future generations.
Among those in attendance at the event were Wu Wensui, head of the Songbai New York Development Company, Wu Baoling, director of the Hua Ceui Center, Chen Zuozhou, executive director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District, Yu Jinshan, chairman of the Donghua Association, and members of the Tongji Community Assistance Association.