The Heritage

Hey y’all,

Discovered new information about my grandparents! Look at this young photo of them!!! I went over to my grandmas’ place to have lunch, and while the food was being prepared, I found a stash of photo albums. Even though I know bits and pieces about my family and stories about their time in Taiwan. I wanted to know more, I need to know more. There were a lot of photos of my father, aunties, and other relatives but the one that caught my eye.

Their wedding pictures.

The original photo was in black and white but later colored when the technology was available. My grandma said when she met my grandpa, he wanted to marry her right away. Grandma was hesitant at first because Grandpa (Kun Kuei) was so skinny but in the end the Kun Kuei’s charm and persistence won her heart. Grandma married at 21. The bouquet of flowers she’s holding in this picture was originally not planned. She saw them in a vase and quickly grabbed them and created this beautiful wedding photo. What’s funny to me is that she didn’t even know he was holding his top hat for this photo. Not to get too sentimental, but their love for each other is as strong today as it’s ever been.

I used to think that my grandpa looked and dressed like a gangster (figuratively) but labeling him as such would be injustice as he was a civil, sophisticated, stylish and classy man. His posture and gaze display his discipline, and commitment. I mean he was a police officer after all.

I would say my grandparents are Japanese Taiwanese however, I think technically they’re just Taiwanese lol. “Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, following its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). The Treaty of Shimonoseki, signed in 1895, ceded Taiwan (then known as Formosa), and the Penghu Islands to Japan. During the Colonial Period (1895-1945) Japan invested heavily in Taiwan, modernizing its infrastructure, building railroads, and developing industries like agriculture (notably sugar production).” (ChatGPT)

ChuYin Huang Chang born in 1933, and Kun Kuei Chang was born in 1926. The Japanese implemented strict colonial policies like speaking the Japanese language and customs but gradually introduced some public services, including education and healthcare.

Through additional research, I came to understand my grandpa did what he felt was best for our family. “Taiwan was ruled by Chiang Kai-shek’s government when his government retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War when the Chinese Communist Party, took control of mainland China. In 1954, Taiwan was under martial law, and Chiang’s government claimed to be the legitimate government of all of China. The United States also signed the Mutual Defense Treat with Taiwan in 1954, strengthening its position during the Cold War.” (ChatGPT)

I believe this photo is when he was a cadet or similar equivalency to a trainee or recruits.

Inauguration day
From Left To Right: Kun Kuei Chang is the Fourth officer.

Chuyin Chang (Age 21) and Kun Kuei Chang (Age 29)

Wedding Photo in 1954

Officially an Officer!

Unfortunately, I am unsure the exact date when my grandpa served as an officer. However, the period of Japan’s ruling they significantly influenced Taiwan’s development, leaving lasting cultural and architectural legacies. Their upbringing, shaped by both Japanese and Taiwanese cultures, deeply influenced who they are today. Although Grandpa wasn’t a Japanese police officer, he served as a Taiwan Policeman during China’s ruling.

I’d like to thank them and all of my family members (the Chang’s and the Chu’s) who lived in Taiwan during that time, and enduring through the wars. I am blessed and thankful that my family made it to the United States. With the help of the Chu family, and the little savings my grandparents had, they were able to provide security for their children, and grandchildren.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my family’s story and share their story.

Love,

Kevin C.