Centenarians: Coming to America

Doris Vician Albuquerque, NM — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:04:09 GMT

Thank you for this interesting article. All of my grandparents were immigrants. They came here from Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic when those nations were part of the Austrio-Hungarian empire, in the later 1800's.

Centenarians: Coming to America

anonymous — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:24:29 GMT

My grandmother, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 103, had a very lucid mind even at that age. Yet she seldom spoke of her past. She came to America in 1920 from Japan for an arranged marriage to my grandfather. She did mention that as the ship passed through the Hawaiian islands she remembers someone giving her a pineapple. She had never seen one in her life. She laughed as she told us how she tried to eat the pineapple whole and the skin hurt her mouth. We still have her original passport papers hidden away in a closet - complete with the seal from the Emperor of Japan. In WWII her entire family was interned in camps where my mother was born. Us children have found it difficult to get anyone in the family to speak about it. My grandfather was angry, even bitter. He wanted to go back to Japan. However my aunts and uncles wouldn't do it. After all, they had been born in America!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Justa deWanker, San Jose CA — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:39:12 GMT

Choakes me up to see all of the poor me yed yarns.

Centenarians: Coming to America

John Bodle — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:22:42 GMT

My mother, Edna Bodle, was born on June 10, 1907 in a mining community in California called "Dairy Farm Mines". She is 101 yrs. old. He father was killed in a mining accident 10 days after she was born. Her mother remarried to a man who worked as a manager for the "Miller and Lux" company, a big landowner in California. She has a wealth of California history having lived through it 101 years. Her mind and memory is sharp even at 101 years old.

Centenarians: Coming to America

bill stull hutchinson, ks — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:46:06 GMT

It is interesting about immigration. It cost much to come here.If people were so poor. How did they afford to come here. Is it they had money and used it all to come to the US.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Ronald Wentz jr.. leonardtown, md — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:47:32 GMT

Good stuff...I am afraid no more nice wholsome stories like that will come out of this country anymore...we are a craphole now.. and storys about crapholes are not fun...we have been takin by fat cats like trump and gates.. this is no longer that wonderful country... BRING BACK AMERICA !!!!!!!!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Betty, MI — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:56:31 GMT

Yes, they sold all their possesions and often had family members in America who paid part of thier passage or 'sponsered' them. People sacrificed so much to come here.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Juan Gutierrez, Tallahassee, FL — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:59:06 GMT

To Justa deWanker: the "poor me yarns" might be your perspective, but nobody emigrate if they are happy in their origin country, AND immigration to the US is a painful and extremely challenging adventure - this country is great because those made it through were the most resilient and determined. You should show a little bit of respect; while some immigrants can have sad stories, most walk tall and proud. To Bill Stull Hutchinson: read your history books AND the news. Even nowadays it is possible to immigrate to the US without money; Einstein did.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Bolivar Rubiano, Taunton, MA — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:06:46 GMT

My father died two years ago at 102 y/o. He was born in Columbia and immigrated to the U.S. in the '30's and settled in Brownsville, Tx. With little formal education but a will to work hard, he made a comfortable life for himself and his family. He loved the U.S. and taught his children to do the same.
May G-d continue to bless the U.S.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Marge, NH — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:09:32 GMT

Wonderful stories - thank you.

Centenarians: Coming to America

DGT, Red Oak, TX — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:50:19 GMT

This is a truly interesting article. I have to admit that it almost brought tears to my eyesbecause of what these individuals had to go through. I'm African American, and well aware of some of the attrocities that my ancestors went through. Despite this, I'm still very moved by what these ladies went through. thank you for bringing this to our attention. I might never have known if you hadn't printed this story.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Verna Doris (Luck) Byarlay, Reno, NV — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:54:34 GMT

This truly is an interesting article for me! I was born of married Grandparents and their first born son, David, who migrated from the Vulga River Valley of Russia on my Mother's side of the family. Stories were told to me by my Mother of her parents lives in Russia, coming to the US and settling in Kansas. My Grandfather on my Father's side came over from Germany as a teen ager, marrying in his early twenties to my Grandmother who was born in the US. He homesteaded in Lincoln County, Lincoln, Kansas. My father was born there in April of 1888, and I was born there in January, 1929 in the farm home as well. A cousin, now deceased, has accumulated and documented many stories, information and history of our families heritage.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Sherry Kersey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:14:43 GMT

I am a born us citizen but my grandparents were immigrants from both Germany and Ireland.
One left Germany due to strangling taxes......the others left Ireland to follow religios choices without persecution.
One of the readers asked how these folks had the funds to get to america....some were indentured labors anf house servents for years as they repaid their cost of newly embraced freedoms.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Alyssa Arney — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:19:52 GMT

Juan, it is impolite to tell people what they should do. You could convey it differently. How was she being disrespectful with that comment?

Centenarians: Coming to America

Alice G — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:40:10 GMT

Not to worry. Within a few years, we'll all be looking to emigrate to India, China, Korea . . places where education is taken seriously. There is a good reason that these nations have lept into the 21st century and the US will fall behind if we don't shore up our educational system. Just read some of the postings and you'll see that our citizens have little knowledge of how the basis of our history.
It is a sad commentary on the American Dream, to be sure.

Centenarians: Coming to America

RED-T — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:36:49 GMT

While I am moved by all of these stories, I cannot help but think about my father's ancestors who were "immigrated/enslaved" to America against their will. When there is talk of immigration, somehow the story of slavery is pushed into a corner and is made to seem "less valid" than these other stories. It is sad to say but slavery robbed many african-americans of these stories as families were consistently ripped apart. Let us not forget..

Centenarians: Coming to America

Alice G, Melrose, Mass — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:56:21 GMT

I apologize - clearly my next-to-last sentence needs some editing (see previous posting).
What I meant to say was " our citizens seem to have little knowledge of the history of American immigration. Many sacrificed everything just to have shot at freedom, liberty and justice, to come to a country where "the streets were paved with gold." They expected little, other than the opportunity to make a fresh start. They struggled in a new land, with new customs and language, many sacrificing their ethnicity to become American. And education was always at the forefront. . .they made certain their children took advantage of opportunities that they never had.
History is an amazing thing as it is doomed to repeat itself. It is our job to learn from our past and prepare for our future.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Alice G, Melrose, Mass — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:57:01 GMT

Centenarians: Coming to America

John R, Seattle, Wa — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:15:54 GMT

To Ronald, contrary to your whining, stories like this are still being made today by those who sacrifice to come to the US. Each one of us is either part of the problem or part of the solution to making our country what we want it to be, mostly through ensuring that our children and families are built and inculcated in the principles that have made this country great, chief among them: honesty and integrity, hard work and sacrifice, responsibility, participation in the democratic process, deep and abiding faith and self-determination. When I read these stories I ask myself: What am I doing to build on the legacy that they've left for us?

Centenarians: Coming to America

Vickie LaGrange, N.C. 28551 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:34:10 GMT

You can say that the USA is behind but if we would stop giving everything away to other country then maybe we could do for yourself.If it were not for USA look were alot of the immigants be.Say what u may but behind we are not. We stand with are head up high.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Brian B., Providence, Rhode Island — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:04:05 GMT

Alice makes a good point. The "American Dream" has always been something that the poor immigrants sought, and the "natural" Americans thought unbefitting to those people. Yesterdays Irish, Chinese, and Jews are todays Latinos (with the wrinkle today of "illegal" immigration). Immigration has been the lifeblood of our ascendency to superpower status. We've had the best from other countries come here. Right now, that influx of hard work and talent is being threatened, both by anti-immigration measures on one side of the aisle and the refusal to acknowledge the importance of integration into the melting pot on the other side of the aisle. It's also threatened by other countries providing as good or better opportunities than we can offer. Heck, we could use a few more hard working immigrants - more people to fill the vacancies in rentals and homes to help bring the economy back! More consumers, too.
Lastly, I'd like to point out that the reflections on the "good old days" are a nice bit of fiction. One commenter said today we're a "cr^phole" because of the Trumps and Gateses - this person knows nothing of the power wielded by JP Morgan, Rockefeller, and the like. Still too much power is wielded, perhaps, but don't start getting all whiny because it used to be better. It didn't - that's an inherently conservative (in the sense of resisting change) misconception. These centenarian stories are brief snippets, leaving out details like indoor plumbing, antibiotics, illiteracy, Jim Crow, and so on. Things today are better than they were then - memory is selective. Thus, things need to fundamentally change in a progressive fashion (a la the progressive anti-trust measures in the early 20th century) to move this country to the place where the American dream can truly flourish.
Yes we can.

Centenarians: Coming to America

kjs in Kansas — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:06:28 GMT

It's a mistake to judge the whole population on the basis of a small minority who react negatively to these accounts of those who struck out into the unknown desperate for a better life. Spouses, children, and relatives were left at "home" at times for years until the first immigrant could save money to send for them. Current immigrants, documented or not, have the desire, pioneer spirit, and guts to risk everything for the chance of a better life for their families. How many second to tenth generation US citizens would have what it takes to do that? Have we, the immigrant nation, lost the genetic code for the initiative that brought us here? If you have the chance, go to a swearing in ceremony for new citizens. Amazing, gripping, awe inspiring experience - will make you remember what this great experiment is all about!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Jim Wells, Seattle, Wa. — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:10:54 GMT

Speaking of Centenarians in the US, that includes my mother who turns 103 in 3 weeks. She was born in Oregon, her father was an immigrant sailor from Norway, who settled on the coast after retirng from the Sea. He was a lighthouse keeper in Oregon and Washington. My mother tells stories of playing on the beach and being caught on the rocks by incoming tide. She had one brother and several sisters. She is the last of her generation and is loved by all of those who know her.

Centenarians: Coming to America

M. J. Ward, Seguin, TX — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:17:41 GMT

In response to Justa de Wanka's remark "yed yarns", please at least use the correct spelling "yid" which one has to think was meant. Unfortunately, "yid/yed" is a very offensive term of contempt toward Jews which should answer Alyssa Arney's question on Juan Gutierra's comment to Justa's disrespectful statements.
Also, to Red T's comments about those brought into this country as slaves being pushed in the corner and "less valid", one can hardly believe this to be true with the many, many more stories in the last few decades particullarly devoted to his subject. It is unfortunate our country has the stain of slavery in it's history. We living today had no part in the acts of slavery but we as a nation will forever be chastised.
I believe the initial article was to be about centenarians, surely those interested in reading this article would also be interested in any story you could contribute about slaves that had a centenarian story which also would be a part of the American tale. These stories also need to be told and who better than you Red T, to research and provide, since you have an emotional investment.
A big heart felt thank you to the families and writers for the stories and also the forum to offer our comments.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Catt, MInneapolis, MN — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:09:12 GMT

How wonderful to have such memories of different times and such a different lifestyle than what we enjoy today. It is due to the strength and hard work of the immigrants of our past, regardless of how they got here, that our country has surpassed so many dreams. It's a shame that working hard, being honest and honorable, and having pride in doing what you do well has not survived as well as these stories. Everyone seems all too ready to cut down everyone and everything else.

The United States of America is not perfect, but it does grow and change and try to be better. For such a young country, we're doing rather well. For all of those who think other places are better... there are oceans on either side that you're more than welcome to use to get to where you'd rather be.

Centenarians: Coming to America

nancy nj — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:50:47 GMT

i can't imagine leaving everything and everyone you know to go to a foreign country. in the beginning of the 1900's travel was not common and so most people never went back. think about it. i couldn't have done it. my grandparents came from scotland in 1923. my grandmother went back on the queen elizabeth after world war 2 but she never saw her mother again and my grandfather had 2 brothers who also came here but he never saw the rest of his family again.

Centenarians: Coming to America

glrndon brewster,dallas, texas — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:56:58 GMT

Mr. Rutherford,
Very interesting stories of centurions and their journeys to the land of promised opportunities. They could speak to all of us, as we try to make some sense of the terrorist; we characterize as and discriminate against “all immigrants”. We Americans throughout history are so quick to chastise the innocent whole because we can’t understand the ideologies of the real threat. Remember the Asian concentration camps when we assumed they were all spies, and the communist supporters in the cold war. We legislate against and make working here so difficult for the millions of undocumented instead of making it easy to become documented (not citizens, but recorded). Here where I live in the south lines of undocumented workers are getting larger as we make it tough for businesses to hire, I say we are heading the wrong direction to a very large problem.
GB from Dallas

Centenarians: Coming to America

Sonya Wood, Centralia, Ill. — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:08:49 GMT

Centenarians: Coming to America

Sonya Wood, Centralia, Ill. — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:14:32 GMT

Although not an old story of emmigration my father and step-father both swam the Rio Grande River in search of a better life. More recnently my cousin risked his life riding above the fan in the engine of a train to make his way to the United States to find a job. Now people who are immigrants are looked down on. People seem to forget that we all came from immigrants. That is, all except the American Indians.

Centenarians: Coming to America

+/45/587+ — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:47:27 GMT

Centenarians: Coming to America

Lisa Muniz, Glendale, AZ — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:33:52 GMT

congrat to those who have lived to be 100+,out country was based on those who found freedom, and another life in the US. These are stories that are treasured. For the person who wrote and showed disrespect to these individuals... if you look at your own family history you will probably find a person who traveled to this country for the same reason. I know that I do! I am greatful that they took a chance in a strange country... traveled across the ocean to find a better life.... I wonder if I would have the same strong spirit that they had. Because they had an adventure I now live here..... I enjoy hearing about someone who has lived over 100... I just hope I get to 80 and healthy.... but you know 100 sounds like it would be wonderful... just imagine what all the things that would have changed..and all the wonderful things you would have experienced....Enjoy life with it detours... it makes life interesting.

Centenarians: Coming to America

angelosdaughter, Reno, NV — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:47:58 GMT

My father, who lived to be 90 emigrated in 1921 from Italy. His family had been German prisoners in WWI and his 14-year-old brother died of starvation and the Spanish influenza. His father was working in Canada because there was no way to support his family in their small northeastern Italian village. He returned with money to pay Papa's passage to America. Papa was 17 and of age for compulsory military service. His mother did not want to risk losing another of her children. Papa came alone to a cousin of his mother's in Ohio and eventually to his uncle out west. He never saw his family again. I have a letter from his mother who was dying and wanted him to come home to see her one last time; of course as a laborer, he never could afford to go; Papa still wept over it 50 years later. Because Italy was our enemy during WWII, he stopped writing back to avoid being branded a traitor. Papa told us stories about his family. He never forgot being hungry, and when anyone came to visit, he always offered food. He learned English quickly and worked hard all his life. He renounced his union pension as the price he gladly paid for his life in America even though everyone tried to talk him into taking it and lived (he would have said very well) on his small social security check.
After his death, I was able with the help of the Internet and a second cousin who had been looking for us and found the site where I posted our surname to finally make contact with my first cousins, the children of our Papa's remaining brother, who had also passed on, and see pictures of the family he had to leave behind.
The price of freedom is high for all of those (immigrants fleeing their countries of birth for whatever reason, those who were unwillingly brought here as slaves, and even those of us who were born here into poor families), but we have so many more opportunites.

Centenarians: Coming to America

trisha rose — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:06:37 GMT

....even our "Native American Indians" were immigrants. They came over from Asia, across the Bering Strait, down into what is now Alaska, and into mainland United States. All of life is in constant migration, whether it is in search of new life and living conditions as in the case of our Native Americans, or forced migration as in the case of Josef Stalin in Russia or Africans on slave ships. The United States is fortunate to have the mix of cultures and nationalities that it has. It is has a rich heritage of accepting people from other shores for more than 200 years. People that migrated to the US come for the opportunities that often are not available in their own countries. Can any of us shame a fellow human for the desire to make a better existence of this life? I think not. My own heritage is from Spain and Ireland. I am grateful for the open arms of Lady Liberty. As an American I see it as my human duty to help enrich the lives of new immigrants. If we would accept that as our challenge in helping rather than in trying to criticize, perhaps the United States could lead by example rather than by force. What effort does it take to learn acceptance and tolerance? To learn a new language, to try a new ethnic food, to study a new culture? The United States "belongs" to no one. Why else would others want to cross its borders to experience a better life?

Centenarians: Coming to America

Denise Smith — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:44:32 GMT

These stories is just proof that helps expose the lie that immigrants claim that crap that they built America. Bull! Immigrants came over here most from poverty and a crappy nation - showing you that they are not very smart or great inventors or whatever lies they want to claim that they had in the success of America. If they did, they would have stayed in their own country and made their own "America" and not be running over here. America became America after the Pilgrims from Britian first landed here and they were not doing very well and needed the help of Slaves (who were the blacks) when the blacks were brought here they were good farmers and workers and did mostly all the work to build and prosper America and made the whites rich and that's what made the country of America in which immigrants from Europe and the third-world countries thrived to get over here and get wealth and a way of life they did not build and were uncapable of building. And because of white America's racism against black America - (not letting blacks own much and keeping good jobs from them) the whites treated the immigrants who were white or more white-like like them better than the Blacks that's why they lived good over here not because of anything the immigrants have done! So lying immigrants need to stop the crap saying why are blacks complaining about living over here when we immigrants came from nothing and are doing good over here. Well immigrants - thank the Black American for prospering and building this country with black's inventions(whites don't tell you about) and with our great talent - you immigrants are living off of our glory and our country. And since so many are over here now We look no longer like America and we are going down to look like the countries immigrants came from.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Andy, Atlanta, GA — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:51:29 GMT

It brought tears to my eyes. Human migration is part of human history. It always happend and will continue to happen. We are raising our twins as 2nd generation Americans of Indian parents. America has so much to offer! Let us ALL live in harmony, play by the rule, discourage and help stop illegal immigration, respect the Natives, and pledge NOT to do anything that would hurt MOTHER AMERICA!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Matt M, Sterling Heights, MI — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:21:23 GMT

Denise - all I have to say is "wow".

Centenarians: Coming to America

Noslave Blackman — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:52:13 GMT

Denise Smith is an idiot!
I am black and I do not agree with what he says since it is just not accurate. It is what he thinks and not how it was.
Blacks like him make the rest of ashamed. Please get your fact right, get an education and then speak for your people.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Michelle Owensville, MO — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:00:51 GMT

Denise, this is not a black and white issue!! I can truly tell you that my family never owned a slave as we came from Ireland during the potato famine. We came to survive as well as many other nationalities. They ALL built America, which is why it is called the "melting pot!"

Bolivar: God is not a swear word, you can say it and you can spell it out! That is what makes America what it is. Free! Whether you believe in God, Alla or Buddah, its ok! We have religous freedom, atleast for a while, until we allow some one else to take it away from us!!! Then we will be China!

To all people who came here regardless of whether they wanted to or not, thank you! Because of the fight and determinatin of them, we are a free nation. Be proud America! I know I am very proud to be American!!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:31:44 GMT

This is not a black/white issue, it's an immigration issue. All of us are immigrants to this country, regardless of how we came here. It's a shame that slavery was a part of our history, but it was. And it's a shame that people in this country fought each other (Civil War), but they did, and that's a part of our history, too. As for blacks not being able to own much...that was a long while ago. Maybe it's time to let go of the slavery issue, and focus on making a life that works. Ya got the same chances as everyone else. I'm just sayin'...

Centenarians: Coming to America

Sue Poole, Charleston, SC — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:36:12 GMT

Refusing to accept immigrants with poor eyesight or other disabilities trying to flee from terror and oppression doesn't merit a lot of respect for the good old USA. Such 'screening' must have left hundreds of thousands to die miserably in gulags and concentration camps.

Also, rounding up and interning thousands of German/Austrian Jews and also Japanese citizens as 'aliens' when they were coming here in hopes of freedom from tyrrany suggests the America we are taught to imagine as the land of opportunity was no wiser or better than the countries immigrants were fleeing.

This is a sad commentary on being American, on general xenophobia and the dangers of chauvinism and racial hatred. I am not proud because America refused entrance to refugees because of poor eyesight or other disabilities. It appears that the same social Darwinism that made gulags possible also made America a place of bigotry, not necessarily freedom at all. And it's true: the wealth and infrastructure of America were built on a system of slavery or indentured servitude, while the Rockefellers and the J.P. Morgans got rich on the labor and initiatives of the poor and the involuntarily abducted.

Lady Liberty says, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free."

Excluding the weak and injured does not bear out the ideals we were taught or the message of the Statue of Liberty. Nor does it suggest we have ever actually come close to 'liberty and justice for all.'

Sometimes I wonder, 'What is it we don't understand about ALL?'

Sue Poole
Charleston, SC

Centenarians: Coming to America

Lorraine, Annville, PA — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:19:40 GMT

Denise,
It sounds as though you are very biiter and self importatnt on matters you personally did not participate in.. My challenge to you - to everyone- what did you do today to make America great. Did you help some one? Did you take a minute to speak to someone who was loney or in need? Did you start a new business? Did you go out of your way to find opportunity to make an invention. All of us have the opportunity to make each minute count. Do not waste it. Each and every one of us wants the same things, a good home, food, people who love us, the opportunity to worship or not as we so see fit. We have the oportunity to succeed. This is one of the few places on earth you can co that.

Go!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Jerry D. Mayes 1705 Carl dr. Lancaster , Oh. 43130 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:51:03 GMT

Everyone forgets the pain and suffering the American Indian faced during their takeover by the white man .I almost cry when I think about those times .

Centenarians: Coming to America

anthony wrifford — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:28:21 GMT

ummm...this little article appears to have attracted alot of interest and more response than I've seen on this board in a long time. Excellent!
One thing that struck me--the lady on the Titanic; she spoke of being "fed" by people and being hungry, etc.
It's like a third world child speaking of being "fed" by her good American host. It felt wrong, and made me realize how far we have come as a society in this country and, basically, in the West.
I hope that someone from one of our "third world" nations of today does not remember what it was like to have to "ask" for something as basic to all as food in a hundred years.

Centenarians: Coming to America

anthony wrifford — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:34:32 GMT

Sue Poole: I had no idea that there was anyone else living in the state of South Carolina who had such views. Nice to know I'm not alone in this red-neck wilderness.
BTW...you're 100 percent correct and there are people out there who understand the meaning of "Liberty and Justice for ALL..."
Keep the flag flying...

Centenarians: Coming to America

John Celich — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:41:33 GMT

I am only 91 years and I really liked and appreciated the letters, some of the people really had an interesting life, maybe they did not realize it
my life was not so bad, but when you are young you
don`t know tou are poor.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Sickof FeelSorryForMeCuzImBlack — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:20:56 GMT

Denise and Sue, you are both idiots of the HIGHEST order. Please, get your history straight and then come talk with the adults. NOT ONE PERSON living today had ANYTHING to do with bringing slaves over to work in the South, those people have long since left the earth and we need to remember not to punish one person for another man's sins. GET OVER IT AND STOP EXPECTING A HAND OUT FOR SOMETHING YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH! Seriously, have you BEEN to the places those people came from? By and large they are worse off now than they were when those people left and if you feel so robbed-MOVE BACK and find out for yourself what life is like there. We'll see just how long you last with out cable, internet, your nikes and your ipod. Just sayin...

As to the stories, I value each and every person who made the effort to LEGALLY enter this country to try and make it a better place-these same people are the ones who never expected to be given anything for free-much different than many of the illegal immigrants coming here today. These people sacrificed everything, then came and worked their butts off, never expecting anything from the government for charity, and often times not taking what was offered because they wanted to make it on their own. If today's illegal immigrants really cared about what they could do for this country and not just what this country could do for them, they would take the steps to get here legally, they would pay taxes learn the language and not trash the neighborhoods they move into. Just sayin...

Centenarians: Coming to America

Robert Burke, Norfolk,VA — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:17:34 GMT

SickOfFeelSorry: You make a big point of those who come to the US ILLEGALLY. Do you realize that in the times depicted in this article the only requirements for LEGAL entry were the ability to pay the fare for the trip, and having no obvious illness or physical disability? By these standards all those making the trek across the desert from our southern border are just as qualified for entry as were our immigrant ancestors.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Hope ,New York — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:18:54 GMT

In response to Denise Smith's comment. Your comment was very racially charged. My mistake, I thought this commentary was supposed to be based on the centurion story. As for your comments, I'm assuming you are African American. If so, you are an immigrant as well,or did you forget we come from Africa? As mentioned in a previous comment WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS unless you are a Native American.This country was, and still is in this present time, built on the backs of immigrants. I am Cape Verdean which in case you need a history lesson was a slave drop off point on the west coast of Africa. My race originated when the Portugese raped the women slaves, the women were then considered tainted and could not return to their home land and were not wanted by the portugese.Point being we all should be proud we made the us what it is today a land of opportunity!

Centenarians: Coming to America

DLW — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:55:08 GMT

America is an Ideal, a vision. The Indians were here 1st and yet they were not deemed the original owners of this country even that they lived here long before. The American Indian will even tell you that they dont own the land, but they are its caretaker. And so are all of us, renters as it were, caretakers, we are all just passing thru.(Their history and lives
run parrelel to those of blacks) What I find is their respect of the land. The Indian gaming casinos are purchasing land that has been strip mined, polluted, and left and taking the gaming proceeds to restore the land back to its original state, right down to the grasses native to the area back before there were pilgrims, then introducing the wildlife as it all was originally. They are the caretakers, as we all should be.I would like to hear stories of the centarian American Indian, I feel they are still teaching us by they're lives and just being. In 2008 its time to tear down the walls reservation and open up this country to all. There is much to learn from both sides.
As we all came from immigrants what caretaker deeds and stories will leave as our legacy to our children? We as a nation are mostly all blended. We are really all the same in Gods eyes, why not our own.

Centenarians: Coming to America

w l jones — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:12:37 GMT

For most of these poster they are unaware slavery did not end in country untile the early 1960. The new slave were call sharecropper which I were rears on for my first seventeen years of life. Get a life are learnt your American history if you did you would appreate Ms. Denise for inform me on our rich history.

Centenarians: Coming to America

CD, Massena, NY — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:11:55 GMT

Immigration can be a wonderful thing that builds a country and makes it strong. Just look at past immigration to the USA. On the other hand, immigration can be something that brings hatred and radical views promoting terrorism to the country that sponsors modern day immigrants with Muslim backgrounds. If you want examples of this just look around European countries with huge unrest from Muslim immigrants and look closer to home within the USA and you will find mosques where hatred is preached.

There is a big difference between immigrants of past who came here to make a better life for themselves through hard work and in the process contributed toward making the USA what it is today, and immigrants of today who bring hatred and a desire to change things to suit their views.

I am descended from immigrants who came here during the late 1700s and early 1800s and am proud of this heritage. They all farmed and worked hard, and there is much to be proud of in this. I love the USA and hope it is around for a long time to come.

Centenarians: Coming to America

TM, Las Vegas, Via Detroit — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:37:16 GMT

Both sets of my Grandparents came over from Italy, just after WWI, as several of my aunts, uncles & my father were born there. They were pround of their Italian heritage, However, even prouder to be an American. They becane citizens & I remember being told as a child to always love & respect America as well as other countries. My father would tell me about coming over on a boat so crowded, everyone stood & most of the passengers slept that way too, standing up.
However, during & after WWII, the way Benito Mussolini treated the people, my grandparents were ashammed. Even as I grew up in the late 50's & 60's, they would tell me; "Don't tell anyone you're Italian, you might get beat up, just tell them you are an American". Of course my last name gave it away & sometimes some of the older boys in the neighbor hood did beat me or my cousins up. All of the male in my family, Dad, uncles, cousins & myself all fought in one war or another defending this great country. We were & still are very proud to be living in the USA as American citizens.

Centenarians: Coming to America

heinz57, Montana — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:40:52 GMT

Wow! Just read all this...Like a lot of people here my family history is made up of at least 5 immigrant heritages. I am greatful for the sacrifices they all made in coming to America. If any of you have ever moved to another country (not another state), you can relate to the stress and effort it takes to relocate. You have to want it at all costs. And, to all those who don't have anything good to say about this country--you need to take a trip overseas, kids. You OBVIOUSLY have never been out of this country, especially to a third world destination. How about doing something productive for your country? Relocate out!

Centenarians: Coming to America

Joan Nickels. Thayer, Mo — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 04:38:00 GMT

Hello Everyone, I feel your pain and your joy, all of you who have commented. Let us affirm to appreciate that our ancesters made it to these shores and we have been blessed by God to have been the inheritors of those who built this nation. I have come to have a deeper love for our country since working on my genealogy. I discovered that my immigrant family came to America in 1740. Their grandsons born in Va. were just the right age to fight in the American Revolution. Because of their hard work and survival, and thousands of others, we have this wonderful country with all its flaws, it is still the most benelovant, of all others on this earth. We need to stand up today and defend our heritage that has made our country great, and not let the evil forces that are always at play, to take more and more of our God given freedoms away from us. Do the best that you can and help anyone you see that needs your hand of encouragement or whatever is in your power to offer to those around you each day. If each one of us will love our neighbor as ourselves, we can help keep our country great. God Bless and Keep You All.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Michael Franks — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:29:17 GMT

I enjoyed reading and learning some interesting History. I immigrated 21 years ago to marry my sweetheart. But, contrary to what most US born citizens think, I did not marry to live in the US. I remember my Mother-in-Law asking me when I got my citizenship if I was going to now sponsor my whole family in. She could not believe that they are all very happy in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

I am very happy here but I have never been anywhere that is as nasty to new immigrants, simply because of the fact they are foreign. I visited and stayed in South Africa during the terrible Apartheid years, but the worst racism I have witnessed is here in the US and the big difference is that at least South Africa recognised it had a problem. The other diference is that in the US the race problem is black hating everyone who is not black and the whites out of guilt allowing it to happen. Equality is when everyone is on the same playing field.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Ria, Mt. Airy, Maryland — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:44:51 GMT

As someone who took up genealogy only a few years ago, I envy those of you who have such rich knowledge of your family history. My father and his siblings are all gone, and I never knew his parents. My mother, her younger brother and two cousins are all that survive their generation and their knowledge is scarce. Regardless of how your forebearers arrived here, whether via immigration, or being removed from the land of their birth and placed on slave ships from Africa or coffin ships from Ireland, the most important thing is to remember these people. Never forget their suffering, struggles, dreams and hopes. Keep them alive and the next generation aware - pass the stories and history along! Doing so keeps us all alive and proud of our heritage, regardless of how terrible the beginnings.

Centenarians: Coming to America

Arnold Wunsch — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:07:43 GMT

we do forget some things :
usa have 1000's of people coming here with "work assigments from Europe" (mostly) Some of my neighbors are angry that this people are here (NOT me )they think that everybody who is in usa are coming for money ! Not so: some people I talk to did live NOT ONLY in usa but in many places in this world of ours. They won't stay here for ever, only for 1-2 years. Many of them will live us with bad impressions. The truth is that: Many emigrants mostly not from Europe, do ABUSE our good will and the kind humanitarian system that we do here. If people have NO skils ? Ist dificult to make a living for them selfs and this is why the anger, in many usa citizens, because they do see the "system abuse" ! My experience with Europeans is this: They like to work and they feel ashamed to get something for nothing. Even if a old timer gets some free help for some snow blowing or grass mowing etc... If you do not accept monetary reward ? They kive you a hand knitted shall (new) freshly baked goodies or something, even baby sitting. But for free ? Very seldom. Is a unic bunch of people, kind, knowledgeble,interested genuinly about others well fair, and they help when need is called without thinking of $ benefits ! In general, Europeans are lot more helpfull and not expecting back any returns or benefits what they doing for their neighbors. Unfortunately, in most cases invers is not the same !
We all should lern from them to be "warmer, kinder and more caring" ! Right NOW we live in a very uggly and greedy world ! Money doesn't bring anybody happiness ! I heard from people who do have millions (on the heavy side)

Centenarians: Coming to America

Jo D. Malessa, Riverton, NJ — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:51:51 GMT

I opened this site out of interest in immigrant centenarians to find precious few of those and a myriad of contentious opinions and raw feelings! All but one of my ancestors (dating back to the early 1600's) are of immigrant heritage and she was a LeneLenape Indian who had migrated to Pennsylvania from New Jersey. My mother-in-law lived to be 101. She immigrated to the United States in 1923 one year after her new husband left Germany to make a home for them in Philadelphia. They left at a time when inflation was so extreme in Germany that it took a sack full of paper money - thousand mark notes - to buy one loaf of bread. Neither spoke English when they arrived here. They took classes in English to be able to read and understand the Constitution of the United States, to pass the citizenship examinations' and to Pledge allegiance to this country. Mom learned American English by reading the morning and evening papers from front to back and continued so for the rest of her life. Her grandmother gave her a piece of bread wrapped in a bit of lace so that she would not be homesick. I have that piece of bread, still wrapped in the now yellowed lace, but it did not work. She was proud to be an American and loved her life here, but she missed her homeland and her family as long as she lived. During the Great Depression, family in Germany sent care packages of food and clothing. After World War II her family all were caught behind the iron curtain in what became East Germany and we sent care packages to them. Mom entered the USA through Ellis Island, but she did not like talking about that experience. She was not detained or mistreated but had an extremely embarrasing situation there and did not want to return even to see the museum and memorial it had become. Mom did not whine or complain, and was courteous and kind, characteristics that many of the respondents to this site might emulate.

Centenarians: Coming to America

D. Riffel, Enterprise, KS — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:51:39 GMT

It's obvious some people never ever studied their AMerican history in school, or failed the course be-cause they weren't interested in it. What a lost as there is so much to learn. One side of my family has an Indian backgroud, others fought in the American Revolution. Study & learn & then judge.