Dear Superintendent,
Each of my parents emigrated to this country from Galicia, Poland and settled in New York City, where they met and married. They raised five children of whom I am the youngest. I recently visited Ellis Island for the first time and commend you on the fine restoration and interesting exhibits.
As I walked through the buildings, I hoped to find tangible evidence of my parents brief contact with Ellis Island. Of course, I did not, but I would like to share with you a personal note. As I sat on a bench in the Great Hall on the second floor looking through the large window facing downtown Manhattan, I was overcome by the thought my father and mother may well have sat in that very same spot 100 years ago, frightened penniless teenagers, looking through that very same window at the Golden Land.They did not find gold in the streets, but they did find a measure of peace and freedom and an opportunity to raise a family, free from pogroms and a forced lifetime of military service.. Had they remained in Poland, they would have met the same Holocaust fate as did many of their relatives.
Belatedly and on behalf of my father and mother, now both deceased , I say: we love and thank you AmerIca.
Very truly yours,
Ben Haber
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