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The 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s retreat ceremony on Panzer Kaserne July 3 served as a poignant reminder that Independence Day stands for more than family picnics and fireworks.
While part of the ceremony was dedicated to honoring the nation and its flag, it also served as a festive backdrop for Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine, 21st TSC commander to swear in new recruit, Robert McClintock, and to reenlist 14 Soldiers from the 21st TSC.
***image1***“I’m extremely proud of the young men and women who reenlisted and enlisted,” he said. “It is fitting that you are raising your right hand today and pledging to support and defend our Constitution because today we are also celebrating the 35th anniversary of the all-volunteer force.”
Turns out that all-volunteer force, specifically the 21st TSC, has a Soldier who served as a very well-chosen guest speaker.
“As we are celebrating the independence of the United States of America – we’ll hear from one of our newest citizens, Spec. [Hongwei] Zhang who will describe some of his thoughts about becoming a naturalized citizen of this country – and as a naturalized citizen myself, I can understand his excitement and enthusiasm in becoming part of such a great nation,” General Fontaine said.
General Fontaine continued by quoting from the Declaration of Independence. The words he selected “capture the essence of what it means to be an American,” he said.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he quoted.
These words also served as a wonderful opening for Specialist Zhang, who celebrated his first Independence Day as an American, having obtained his citizenship only two days earlier.
“I was born in China; I grew up, went to college and worked in China. I came to the United States to pursue a graduate degree and better opportunities,” said Specialist Zhang. “Let me tell you what this certificate [of citizenship] means to me:
“Freedom of speech and of the press means I can say what I think and not worry if my opinion is at odds with party stand or guidelines, … it means not being forced to accept one school of thought or being brainwashed to doctored history. Without freedom of speech, truth is one of the hardest things to find.”
He also explained how important freedom of religion, which we take for granted, can be.
“It means I could practice my religion and not worry about that it poorly reflects on myself or even get prosecuted in some instances. The country I came from theoretically it is illegal to go to a religious function like family church or
fellowship that is not government approved,” he said.
Even more stirring was his reminder of what our right to vote and our freedom to demonstrate mean.
“I am not pressured to vote for somebody whom I don’t support, and I don’t risk being put in jail or being fired upon if I march in demonstration on the street, which was exactly what happened when one of my roommates in college was shot and killed in 1989 in a massive student demonstration for democracy,” Specialist Zhang said.
Even the most basic rights we take for granted must be considered in a different light as Specialist Zhang recalled his experience.“A right as basic as traveling wherever I want to go and living anywhere I want to live is not automatic where I come from,” he said.
Many in the crowd were visibly moved by Specialist Zhang’s speech and seemed to stand even more proudly in their uniforms.
“I will remember all the sacrifices people in uniform in America before me have paid to defend freedom. Because of them, America remains the beacon of freedom and hope for people around the world. For that I am proud to serve in this uniform to fight for a great country that I now call my own,” Specialist Zhang said.
After Specialist Zhang’s moving speech and following the retreat, many of the nearly 200 attendees took the opportunity to congratulate the new recruits and reenlistees.
