The Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) recently had a small ceremony honorrng various Chuinese American resident of the town for their services and contributions to the civil life and public services for the town. My wife and I were among the recipients of certificates. At the risk of blowing our own horns, I reproduce below our short acceptance speech as another informational piece about out life of 3 quarters of a century living in the United States and in the town of Lexington inparticular.

Hello everyone,

I am Larry Ho. My wife, Sophia, and I have lived in Lexington for more than 60 years. I am always introduced here in town as the husband of Sophia Ho – an introduction I am proud to bear since she is far better known in town. To the best of my knowledge, Sophia is the first and only woman of Chinese ethnicity to be presented with

1.    the US Presidential Lifetime volunteer Service award as well as

2.     the highest honor the town of Lexington can bestow on a senior resident – the Minuteman Golden Cane award (2017)

3.    The LexSee her banner award which was flying in Town center the pass summer

She is too modest to speak of these herself and since I am the author of the article of my immigration story being displayed here, I’ll speak for both of us.

We came to this country both as teenagers in the early 1950s, alone and with no friends, relatives, or any assets, but with only the promise of an education and if we work hard and take advantage of the freedom and opportunity offered by this country, to live the American Dream. We met and got married 65 years ago.

If you understand Chinese, there is a short well known Chinese phrase consisting of just three monosyllable words – Ko Ben La  . Translated directly it means “We got my money worthwhile in our lives”. But the nuances and accurate sentiments are better captured by the Frank Sinartra’s  signature song “My Way”. However, he is no longer around and it would take too long. Instead let me show a photo taken last Christmas of our family reunion. What started out some 65 years ago has now grown to 15 of us in four living generations of Chinese, Korean, Iranian, and Scottish ethnicity and living a Diverse, Equal opportunity, Inclusice (DEI) American  Dream. We say this in sincerity and all the gratitude only immigrants are privileged to experience about their adopted country. And we shall replace that three word Chinese phrase with a three word American phrase which everyone can appreciate and understand -  ONLY IN AMERICA! Thank you very much.