Father’s Day and Angel Island Immigration Station

From the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation:

Dear Friends,

Greeting to you as we head into a Father’s Day weekend.  For many Angel Island descendants, especially for those of you who are Chinese Americans, Father’s Day reminds us of what enigmatic figures our fathers could be.  Many of the Chinese men and boys who immigrated through Angel Island we were in actuality illegal immigrants, i.e. they were “paper sons,” who were allowed to enter the U.S. based on a lie.  Thus, many of them said little about their actual history, choosing instead to stick to a script memorialized in coaching books and seared into their consciousness.  Having a buried past did not, however, prevent them from being loving albeit strict parental figures.

Judge Delbert Gee memorializes his father, Stanley Gee, in a lovely tribute posted to the Immigrant Voices section of www.aiisf.org.  He reminds us to cherish the memories of our loved ones who endured many hardships in order to pave a smoother path for future generations.

Please join us on Saturday, July 23 at the Immigration Station for the dedication of the Immigrant Heritage Wall.  It is a wonderful and lasting tribute to all immigrants.

Best regards,

Eddie Wong

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