Silver State Times

My journey began when my paternal grandfather escaped from Communist China to La Habana, Cuba. My grandfather settled in Cuba and established a businesses. After he became ill and passed away at an early age, my father had to accept new responsibilities and learn the family business at the age of 18. As a hard-working man, he built his businesses and became a successful entrepreneur. 

Under Castro’s regime, I remember being frightened by the continuous firing sound of machine guns, and remember the teacher telling the entire class to get down on the floor. At home there were times when the firing would not stop, and my mother would seek shelter for my younger sister and me. I also remember clearly hearing catchy rhymes and songs in the radio, indoctrinating the children, and spreading communist propaganda. My parents protected their businesses, fearing the looting and rebellious takeover of the revolutionary leaders coming to La Habana and the government forcing restaurant owners, like my father, to open their businesses for them. 

As the political situation worsened, my family made the decision to leave the country. My father left my uncles in charge of family businesses, hoping they would continue to manage the businesses and someday return to the beautiful island which was home. My parents facing humiliation and loss, were stripped of their dignity by guards at the airport and had the choice of giving up their personal possessions or wedding bands. The strength of their marriage surpassed any other material possession. As soon as they left Cuba, the government took control of all properties and my uncles were sent to the sugar cane plantations to work. The economic success they worked so hard to achieve disintegrated immediately. The loss of all possessions was a sacrifice my parents had to make in exchange for their freedom and being reunited with family.

They worked very hard to provide an education for our family. My father and mother always said that education was the best gift they could have given us. 

Seeing what my family endured under communist control, gave me deeper appreciation of our freedoms and preservation of our rights. One can easily have it all and have it disappear in a matter of seconds. I cannot stress enough the importance of not letting your guard down, preserve your precious freedoms and protect your rights. Socialism is already here. Is this the America we want for our children? Do you want someone else to ration your food or as a parent have to choose between milk for your baby or providing shoes for your older child? Do you want to be told not to pray, or not say the pledge of allegiance? Or not being able to choose your doctor, or your children’s school? “Wake Up America,” it is already happening in this country. Do not take for granted the beauty of free speech, freedom of religion and our precious rights.

It is important that we guide, teach, instill values in our children so they can share the message with our grandchildren and future generations and can continue to live the American dream. As an immigrant whose family endured generations of communist control and a naturalized citizen, I urge you to share with others the core values that we as Asian Pacific Americans are proud of: family, respect, responsibility, education, work ethics, law & order, pride of our military, police and veterans. I am very proud of my ethnicity, diversity in customs and traditions however “I am most proud to be an American.” I am grateful to this country which gave me a home. Most grateful to President Trump who under constant criticism from the press, stands strong and incessantly works on behalf of the American people to protect our rights and our country. It is a privilege and our duty to exercise the right to vote. 

Support and vote for President Trump. Amidst all obstacles and the pandemic, he has kept all promises made, delivered results and will continue four more years of economic growth to Keep America Great.

– Ana Wood is a Asian Pacific Americans for Trump Advisory Board Member