Seth D. Michaels / smichael@cnc.com
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Dozens of red-and-yellow flags waved at a recent City Council meeting, a symbol of the challenges facing one of the city's fastest-growing communities.
The council passed a resolution declaring the "freedom and democracy flag," a yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes across the center, to be the official flag of the Vietnamese-American community, appropriate for flying at cultural events and other occasions.
The flag was the official banner of the short-lived republic of South Vietnam. It has special resonance for the Vietnamese-American community, many of whom came to escape the devastating decade-long war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and its aftermath, when the socialist government of North Vietnam united the country by force. Thousands of Vietnamese and Americans died in the war, and economic and political freedom has been limited since.
"We appreciate your consideration in recognizing our heritage and our flag," said Kim Dang, who spoke before the council on behalf of the flag. "We left everything and risked our lives to come to America. We left our family and our property, and the only thing we could bring with us was our flag. This flag is a symbol of our wishes, our hopes, our dreams for freedom."
Dang noted that he and many members of the Vietnamese community chose to come to the United States to escape execution or imprisonment, seizure of property, nationalization of business, and forced relocation to collective work camps and farms. In Malden and other cities, he said, these immigrants have used their newfound freedom to open businesses, send their children to public schools, and get involved in community organizations.
Ward 3 Councilor Bill Spadafora and Councilor-at-Large Michael Sheehan, both veterans of the Vietnam War, said they were proud to have the South Vietnamese flag represented in the city.
"To see the sense of community you have makes me proud to have you here," Sheehan said. "This community has come so far and contributed so much. Many of your countrymen have died for this flag. It's a symbol of your country and your loved ones."
Sheehan, the son of an Irish immigrant, said that the Vietnamese community was following in the footsteps of Irish and Italian immigrants who came to the area in past generations and have risen to leadership positions in the community.