Crowd reacts to Suu Kyi speech

Video 1: Extended interview with  Myo Myint.  The last time he saw Suu Kyi speak, he was in Burma rallying for democracy.  His journey as a political prisoner has been featured in an HBO documentary.

Video 2: Adam Widener on the reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi's speech on Tuesday. 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)--Aung San Suu Kyi described the Burmese community in Fort Wayne as very enthusiastic.  Many showed that spirit after her speech Tuesday as they reacted to her message.

The morning began with excitement even before the doors at the Coliseum opened.  Moe Thein's family of Burmese refugees traveled all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to hear the political leader.  They were first in line.

Thein's family hoped Suu Kyi would say she's paving the way for them to go back home.  Tuesday, Suu Kyi said they're still in the very beginning stages of bringing democracy to Myanmar.

“We're hoping she will create a democracy,” Thein said.  “She is about to change our country so we are very excited to see her.  We have only one chance to see her come here.  If she did not come here, we could not see her again.”

Once inside, Suu Kyi didn't disappoint.  A group of fifth graders from Prince Chapman Academy in Fort Wayne were at the speech and summed up the crowd's sentiments.

“Sometimes they're speechless because they're too excited,” Supawan Ma explained.

It wasn't just Burmese who showed up.  Many in the audience came in support of friends they've made in the Burmese community.  Jonathan Swanson traveled from Chicago.

“What she said about honesty, I think that applies to all of us as individuals,” Swanson said.  “That should be one of the highest qualities we have, to be honest with ourselves and with others.”

Although Quan Tran isn’t Burmese, she came to see Suu Kyi in a show of support to her Burmese friends.

“I know where they came from and I go to their New Years and I know about their culture and I know about the fight that has been going on for a long time now so I came out here to cheer them on,” Tran said.

Then there's Myo Myint.  The last time he saw Suu Kyi speak, he was in Burma rallying for democracy.  His journey as a political prisoner has been featured in an HBO documentary.

“I was arrested on July 7, 1989.  She was arrested on July 19, 1989.  I was in prison 15 years as a political prisoner.  She was under house arrest 15 years.  Now we meet again here after 24 years separation,” Myint said. 

Myint and others said they feel more unified with their people after Suu Kyi’s speech.  They’re hanging onto hope for a community and anxious to see Suu Kyi's impact in their homeland.

“I hope to hear something from her…especially her participation in politics to change our country from military establishment to democracy establishment.”