Life in Exodus-- In Pilgrimage
Diocesan Press Service. June 23, 1975 [75231]
The Rev. Samir J. Habiby, chairman for the Program Group on Communications in the Diocese of Los Angeles and rector of St. Anselm of Canterbury Parish
( Note: Fr. Habiby, who is chairman for the Program Group on Communications in the Diocese of Los Angeles as well as rector of St. Anselm of Canterbury Parish, is representing the Diocesan Press Service at the Refugee Center, Camp Pendleton. He will be furnishing stories and photographs of the refugees at the camp.)
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Rt. Rev. Richard B. Martin, Executive for Ministries, Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, on a recent six-hour in-depth visit at Camp Pendleton, moved by what he saw and heard as he surveyed the vast refugee complex, remarked, "Here is life in exodus -- in pilgrimage." He went on to say, "One has to be on the scene to translate from the objective knowledge of the situation into the personal experience of being here. We must not wait to provide every assistance needed. " Looking at the many children around him, he added, "The pictures I have seen of the children have not really captured the personal charm that hides the quiet anguish of their suffering."
At one point while walking through Camp 5, he was invited by a Vietnamese woman carrying a child in her arms to "visit her home." He accompanied the refugee woman to her tent which, like others, is neat and houses 20 refugees. In the immaculately kept tent the refugees sobbed their sorrow for members of their families who were still in Vietnam and for whose lives and safety they feared. Bishop Martin, on leaving the tent, said, "It did not come to me until today to what extent I am accountable. This is a humbling experience." Capturing in photo stills the visit was the Rev. Canon John V. Farnsworth, Canon Missioner for Communications of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Episcopal Visitors
Bishop Martin oversees the Church's specialized agencies that serve ethnic minorities, including the Asiamerica Office. His visit to Camp Pendleton had been preceded by a member of his staff, the Rev. Winston W. Ching, Executive Officer of the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry. Father Ching came to California during the early phases of the heavy refugee influx into Southern California and spent the two days on a factfinding tour. On his second look at Camp Pendleton he accompanied Bishop Robert M. Wolterstorff of San Diego and the Rev. Canon Oliver B. Garver, Jr., Executive Assistant of the Bishop of Los Angeles (representing Bishop Robert Rusack), on a visit to the refugees at Camp Pendleton. Canon Garver, together with the Rev. Samir J. Habiby, have spent several days at the encampment. Dubbed as "Little Saigon" by the Press, the refugee tent clusters and quonset huts lie astride the boundaries of the Diocese of Los Angeles (East of San Clemente in Orange County), and the Diocese of San Diego (North of Oceanside).
Tent Cities
In the Cristianitos, San Onofre and Talega portions of the vast Marine Corps Base, 29,312 refugees have arrived, beginning on the 29th of April. There have been 13,728 departures to date to new homes in the United States with 15,584 still in camp. Over 25,000 more refugees are expected to arrive from the Pacific in the next several weeks. The latest arrivals included Tran Thi Nam, a 109 year old widow, born in 1867, a year that brought the French to Indo China. This was her second "flight to refuge," having first left her home in North Viet Nam in 1954 along with 1, 000, 000 other Roman Catholics to seek a new life in South Vietnam. She fled this time from South Vietnam in a 20 foot long boat from Phy Quoc Island with 40 other persons. They were picked up in the South China Sea by a U.S. Merchant ship. Speaking through an interpreter at Talega Camp 2, Mrs. Tran Thi Nam expressed her delight at being with other Vietnamese in a "free " land. She is among the 2 percent of refugees over the age of 65. Thirty-eight percent of the refugees are under 15 years of age, with 20 new babies having been born to the refugees since their arrival at Camp Pendleton.
Twelve-Hour Shifts
The vast refugee encampment grew into several large tent cities almost overnight. U.S. Marines, working in twelve-hour shifts, assisted by Base Civilian employees, were able to take care of the several thousand refugees who streamed into Camp Pendleton via El Toro Marine Air Station in hundreds of flights from the Pacific. Each of the six major clusters of tents has its own sanitary, recreational, eating, and medical facilities. In a communique to the clergy of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Canon Garver described his own experience as follows: "As we drove down the San Diego freeway past El Toro (Marine Corps Air Station), an American Airlines 747 flew overhead. We drove onto the base and right up to the arrival building and the Colonel-in-charge escorted us through the whole process. The refugees come down the ramp, have their 'identity cards' xeroxed and are on the bus to Pendleton within minutes. Fantastically smooth and efficient operation!"
"We next hasten to Pendleton where we found the Marines doing an utterly fantastic job -- working 12-hour shifts. The Marines seem to sense a very personal concern and involvement, and are really walking many 'extra miles.' The tent cities are very clean. Freshly washed laundry is hung out to dry everywhere. The refugees seem rather neatly dressed -- though American sizes are truly oversize for the Vietnamese stature. " He then concluded, "We left both depressed and encouraged. We left with a compelling sense of urgency and challenge to Christian Charity. We left optimistic. America cannot and will not turn these attractive and wonderful long-suffering people away. The country will be richer by their presence among us. "
Religious Convictions
In an article appearing in the Los Angeles Times dated May 19, 1975, the Times Religion Writer, Russell Chandler, in his article headlined "Religion Vital To Vietnam Refugees," states, "An elderly Vietnamese man steps to the altar at the close of Mass. Through an interpreter he asks the priest if he can speak. 'On behalf of the people, I thank you,' he says, tears streaming down his wrinkled cheeks. 'We have lost our country, but we have the Mass. We have lost our homes and all our possessions, but we have our faith and our God.' Religion, indeed, is a critically important life-support system to large numbers of the 18,600 refugees currently at Camp Pendleton. About 40 percent of the refugees at Camp Pendleton are Roman Catholic, 59 percent Buddhists and the remaining 1 percent are Protestants and other faiths. "' Attendance at the religious services has been overwhelming. Under the supervision of a highly dedicated group of U.S. Navy Chaplains based at Camp Pendleton, each of the tent cities has been organized by the Vietnamese into parish areas in each of the camp clusters with Vietnamese, Roman Catholic priests, Protestant Ministers, and Buddhist Monks providing religious services. The Vietnamese also have their own "City Councils. " A typical day in the primary mission of Chaplain's Operation "Newlife " was as follows: 12 Roman Catholic Masses with 3,000 persons attending, 6 Buddhist Ceremonies with 1,250 attending, and 12 additional Protestant services with 750 in attendance.
Professions
In the list of refugee occupational professions are included 3,363 students, 223 teachers, 107 doctors (medical), 90 pharmacists, 72 professors, 11 assistant professors, 11 journalists, 18 lawyers, 24 clergymen, and 19 reporters. Of a partial survey of 5,298 Heads Of Household on record in mid-May, 2,762 responded to English speaking ability, with 2,048 who speak English. Only 435 Heads Of Household do not speak English.
Task Force and Guidelines
The Federal Civilian and Military Inter-Agency Task Force supervises the difficult task of receiving, housing, feeding, clothing, processing, and meeting the medical, social, educational, recreational, and many other needs of the refugees. The Task Force is assisted by the American Red Cross, the International Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army and by several Volunteer Agencies that have the direct responsibility, under the auspices of the Department of State, for providing Sponsors. In a set of guidelines provided by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in his letter dated May 30, 1975, to the Diocesan Bishops, it is stated, "The Episcopal Church's resettlement effort is being coordinated by the Refugee Resettlement Office of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief at Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017. We, in turn, work through the Immigration and Refugee Program of Church World Service, National Council of Churches . . . . The guidelines give two basic minimum services: 1) temporary housing and support, and 2) guidance in community life, resources and opportunities." They further state, " Good sponsorship means help and guidance that will eventually lead the family to become productive and integral members of their new community. " At the Camp Pendleton Processing Center, Mrs. Virginia Callahan directs the Church World Service Office. Under the auspices of Church World Service, several religious groups such as the Southern Baptist Convention, are operating at Camp Pendleton. Mrs. Callahan had served in Viet Nam with the Viet Nam Christian Service and speaks fluent Vietnamese.
Diocesan Refugee Commissions
Both the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of San Diego have established Commissions on Southeast Asian Refugees. This has greatly facilitated communication between the two Dioceses and Church World Service. An Episcopal Desk with a telephone is being established in the Church World Service Center. This avoids delay in calls being made to and from New York City. Members of the Commission will match the refugees with sponsoring congregations, and the final result will be sent to Episcopal Church's Office for Refugee Resettlement in New York. For the time being all calls from sponsoring congregations will be channeled for the Diocese of Los Angeles through Father Habiby at his Parish Office at St. Anselm of Canterbury Church in Garden Grove. Mrs. Esther Reilly has been named by Bishop Wolterstorff of San Diego as his appointee for refugee matters, while Mrs. Donald E. Wilbert (Kathie) of St. Mary's Church in Laguna Beach heads the Los Angeles Commission. Assisting Mrs. Wilbert in the Commission is the Deanery 10 Task Force which had been established to deal with the refugees. Father Habiby was designated by the Bishop of Los Angeles as the Communication Officer for the Commission. He has also been appointed as the accredited Press Representative by the national Communication Office of the Episcopal Church and the Diocesan Press Service. Serving as the Diocesan Staff liaison to the Commission and other matters relating to the refugees, is the Rev. Canon Oliver B. Garver, Jr.
Press Center
The Press Center staff at Camp Pendleton for the Refugee Resettlement Program has been most cooperative and helpful. Lt. Col. Arthur Brill, USMC, serves as the Department of Defense spokesman, assisted by an efficient staff that includes CWO John Miksad, USMC, and CWO Roger Combs, USMC. In addition, Capt. Williamson, USMC, serves as Protocol Officer. He briefs and accompanies Episcopal and other official visitors during their visits. Every effort is being made by the Press Office to assist the Print and Electronic media in fulfilling their missions. Distinguished visitors have included, among others, the First Lady, Mrs. Gerald Ford; Mr. John Eisenhower, Chairman of the President's Commission on Refugees; members of Congress, as well as civic leaders and regional and national management and labor. Others have been leaders from the Dutch Indonesian, Hungarian and Cuban refugee communities.
In a statement to the Marines at Camp Pendleton, the Commanding General, Brigadier General Paul G. Graham, USMC, said, "Last week a Vietnamese refugee Catholic Priest spoke to his congregation and stated that there were two reasons why they had left their country. One was to preserve their faith and the second was to keep their freedom. Many of our ancestors immigrated to the United States for one or both of those reasons. The refugees from Vietnam need our assurances that they are welcome -- just as our forebears needed those same assurances in past years. I know all of us at Camp Pendleton will continue to support our President in one of the most unselfish humanitarian efforts of our times." (Quoted from The Pendleton Scout.)
Presiding Bishop Allin Speaking
For The Episcopal Church
The Presiding Bishop has urged that sponsors for the refugees be found immediately. The help of every Episcopalian is needed in this act of true Christian charity. Christians have always dared to take risks when responding to human needs. The refugees of Southeast Asia are, in the words of Bishop Martin, experiencing a life in exodus. They are in pilgrimage. They look to America for a new life. In a poignant poem appearing in The Pendleton Scout (June 5, 1975), written by Chau Kim Dinh, and entitled, "I'm a Viet refugee," Mr. Dinh says of having fled his native land:
"To seek Peace and Freedom
To live free from terror
To escape atheist furor
Here in California in the USA
the Promised land. "