Justyna's Column: The American Dream

This country was founded on the American Dream - the idea that includes the opportunity for success and prosperity. It’s the idea of coming from nothing and building something from the ground up.

These values have been ingrained in my life - a chance for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

And nothing has been more vital in establishing those values than my dad, Ryszard Tomtas.

My parents immigrated from Poland in June of 1988 with my 14 month old brother, Marcin and $400 borrowed money in their pocket. Not knowing a lick of English, they worked hard, every day of their life to build a future for my family.

Not only did my dad build a life for us in the United States, he is now being commended for his past life and accomplishments in his home country of Poland.

On May 3, my dad will be awarded one of the most prestigious medals in Poland: The Cross of Freedom and Solidarity.

Known as “razor blade” for his incredible courage and bravery, he was one of the first organizers of the Solidarity Union in Poland in 1980, fighting against the grasps of communism.

The award is being presented to him by Tomasz Skotnicki, the consul of Republic, on behalf of the Polish President, Bronislaw Komorwski, who personally signed the certificate.

The award is presented to him for his bravery, persistence, and commitment in fighting the Communist regime.

During his days of his fight against communism, my dad went to jail for his first time in 1981 after protesting the martial law declared by W. Jaruzelski. With his commitment and neverending dedication, he founded a publishing company of popular underground books called the “Owl.”

He was also the President of the “Commission of Intervention,” helping people to deal with the communist government and organized financial help for those who “broke” the communist laws.

Hated by the security police, he exposed many repressions against the citizens of his home country.

He was imprisoned five more times and was finally forced to leave Poland on a one-way passport with no right to ever come back.

After his ban from Poland, communism failed a short year later in 1989, opening up the door and the opportunity to return to his home country with his family. However, by then my parents were dedicated to making a life for us that they could be proud of.

The award was established in 2010 for the activists of the opposition of the communist regime.

My dad receives the award for being an active member of an illegal organization, at that time, which imposed on itself the goal of regaining independence, sovereignty and human rights in the Polish People’s Republic; for conducting at risk of prosecution or reprisal, operations to regain Poland’s independence, sovereignty and respect for human rights in the Polish People’s Republic; and for serving at least 30 days of imprisonment, detention, internment or otherwise being deprived of his liberty.

His work and dedication to end communism has spanned into his everyday life routines. As the hardest working man I have ever met, he strives only for continued success and happiness, for him and all of his family.

I’m more proud than ever to call him my dad and I am thankful everyday for the opportunities he presented me when he picked up my family and moved us to the United States.

After all, the risks that they took truly do show a success story - building from the ground up and passing the American Dream onto his children.

Congratulations, dad!