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1489606
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5/19-20/75 - California (10)
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1489606
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document
title
5/19-20/75 - California (10)
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collections
Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files (Ford Administration)
Sheila Weidenfeld's Trip Files
subjects
California
Vietnam (Republic)
President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Military bases
Refugees
Vietnamese Americans
Voyages and travels
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1489606
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1975-06-30
month
6
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1975
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1975-05-01
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5
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 15, folder "5/19-20/75 - California (10)" of
the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
8 am press brgg
inter-agency task force
9:30 bf arrives (processing center) headquarters briefe room
room. 10 mins on refugee program
Paul Graham, Brig. Gen, corrund genel movine
corps base, camp Pendeton
military coordinator
NICK thorne, senior civil coordinator
in de
(1mm greation
9:45 Volunt
eer
agencies support group
(to place refugees)
i.e., The catholic conference
Intl Rescue comm
verifysponsors, match world church
sponsors,
walk three some of bldgs
excerted by Graham, Thame
10am arrive area 8 (5400 - location) been processed,
have eny sponsors TO get
waiting for
security chance
19,000 total now- 18, 000 now
+ sponson
10am a) english class- about 50
[CIA, fbi, state
there - begining English
drug enf + DDD
class ages in 10-11 dining - 3rd areas class- long rectangular
tents "sunvived english"
10:10 b) PX line
Ky- 3rd from last tent
10:13 c) tent sidewalk (library, GERALD
ORD
meet people
LIBRARY
10:23a) recreation area
Digitized from Box 15 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
it col
Depart 8am
arthur brill provost 725-5001 #-
arrive 9:30
SPout
el tow
prob NCV some briting type from
nicholasm
Press Room
the maines + state dept
greatlunteers personnel involved in pro bug relocation cessine red cross
6p.m. 725-7707 Prov
see # area
camp 8- (closest to entr)
(see perhaps PX) classroom teacher Viet
english area to
at 45 mins -1m -
recreat - Px-
1 garment bag
visit with people
10:15 a 10:30
in the camp
+1 dress
lv El Tow 11
NM 895
an and 7 ish
San Clemente-Innt
FORD 2. DERALO LIBRARY
ashed about poss last nite
492 6103
x128 &
She wanted she left to + see there CP will before include isn't
x 126 hunt
time for am there to
K 224 me
and thing else.
main provost
Camp Pnd(7)414) 7819
RRs
SAN DIEGO Z00 EMPLOYEES TO MEET MRS. FORD
Tilmer White, groundsman-driver, employed since 1959
Charles Coburn, nurseryman, employed since 1972
David Diaz, painter in construction and maintenance dept., employed since 1962
Robert Drewett, senior bird keeper, employed since 1968
Doris Alexander, lead admissions clerk, employed since 1969
Kathleen Mack, sales clerk, employed since 1971
etnend
SPP
groat
traged
bref
a
for
ven
8rm
OE:P
lenrary
art Brill PIO
A
quote - when from
why is she going ?
about it
diaiv
about if she tached to JF
when did it come up
why doesn't she have time have time
H
hom
not an inter situat
crews of portable
Col. art Brill and q re camp
room small
crews rotate + stills
can
4 writers
flat wall against
do not of beyond string
idents of who is
in room
table needs to be out
nonpool
to pool bes right in motorcade
Press
in general: mostly walking tour- plenty of shots
some places are very small, tho,
we'll have
FIrst place: pool press area TO cover arrival
smdouble trailer. - not room for all at
once - lasts 10 mins, so we'll do it
in 2 shifts - after arrival, pls go to back trailer
+ I'll move YOU from there
writers need to stand in the back against wall
Second site - inside trailer (volunteers)
photogo- there is a
sting on the
floor we ask
Volunter
agencies
3 reporters
AP, upi,
*
+ hat you not
go bey and
maghe one still
dark
Col brill
move
best to get on bus
3rd site - "Gunny" area 8 - dining area used as classroom Eng
Nam mi Kenzie marine Sgt
all photogo behind
from lewine.
then PXs
along side
walk a
LA Times
fines as i one e
Flant
delotrog of awn
llons noan
&
allits town
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POOL
ABC camera, soundman, correspondent
NBC camera, 11 , "
CBS camera, " , "
NeTwork pool lighting technician
AP reporter, photographer
UPI reporter, photographer
magazine color photo pool (newsweek)
LA Times, reporter and photographes
New York Times Reporter
San Diego Tribune reporter
San Diego Union reporter
20
GERALD FORD
17
14
CA Times
ABC camera
S.D Union Trib
NBC 11
CBS 11
Network pool corresp
netark technician pool lighting
) sound 3 sound
AP repor
UPI reperts
AP photog
UPI photo
Magazine color)
LA Times (photo brw).
NY " reporter
LA Times, photog
San D Trib reporter
CA Times reporter
FORD d GERALD LIBRARY
Saukam
LA Times Kathy Burbe write
KHOY
Boris Yaro photo
Trib photog Thane me Intosh photo
S.D. union writer Harrison
Sygma Tony Ganodi
newsweek lester sloan
CBS Terry Drinbwate correop
"
Robt Dunn camera
11
Charles Gayton sound
NBC camera Richard Hutchings
NBC corresp Don Harris
WBC sound gasvis
TVN camera sound This Harvey
GENAL FORD LIBRARY
EVACUATION AND RESETTLEMENT
OF INDOCHINESE REFUGEES
Evacuation
- 55,000 U. S. citizens and South Vietnamese have
been evacuated by air and sea by U. S. military.
- All American citizens who wanted to leave South
Vietnam did get out.
- An :estimated 65,000 more South Vietnamese have
fled their country on boats.
- Only $98 million was initially available under
existing authority for the evacuation program. An
additional $507 million was requested from Congress.
Restacing Sites
- All refugees are being processed through Guam and
Wake Islands where they are receiving housing,
food, Immigration and Naturalization Service screen-
ing, and rigorous health care.
- An appeal internationally by the U. S. for resettlement
opportunities in third countries, has resulted in the active
participation of the UNHCR and ICEM on Guam. Re-
presentatives are on site assisting in such resettle-
ment. The Australians and the Canadians have
immigration officials on Guam or at Camp Pendleton.
SEALTH
STATE
LIBRARY
- 2 -
- The health condition is very good, and no unusual
health problems exist.
- As of May 10 less than 100 people out of 30,000
on Guam have been hospitalized, most of which
were for maternity care, pneumonia, mild diarrhea-
but no serious disease.
- INS is processing through those refugees whose
documents are in order and are eligible for entry
into U. S.
- Public Health Service Center for Disease Control
has established a surveillance system to identify
and treat illness.
Reception Centers Stateside
- The three centers are Camp Pendleton, Calif.;
Fort Chaffee, Ark.; Eglin Air Force Base.
- American voluntary agencies which have enabled
the resettlement of millions of displaced persons
who have been war victims are working closely
with USG to resettle those 130,000 refugees whom
we estimate may enter the U. S.
- The major agencies are:
(see next page)
DEPARTMENT FORD LIBRARY
3
Migration and refugee Services
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
659-6631
American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees
1709 Broadway, Room 1316
New York, N.Y. 10019
Church World Service
Immigration and Refugee Program
475 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10027
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
315 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10010
United Hias Service, Inc.
200 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10003
Tolstoy Foundation, Inc.
250 West 57th Street
New York, N.Y. 10019
International Rescue Committee
386 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10016
American Council for Nationalities Service
20 West 40th Street
New York, N.Y.
212/279-2715
Traveler's Aid-International Social Service
New York, N.Y.
212/687-5958
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
- 4 -
- In addition, the Red Cross, Travelers Aid International
have provided extraordinary assistance.
- The private sector has come forward with major
expressions of assistance, including United Airlines which is
providing transportation from reception centers to final
destinations throughout the country.
- By the time each refugee leaves a reception site he
will have a local sponsor identified by a voluntary resettlement
agency, a rigorous health screening, and all children 1-5 will
receive immunizations for measles, rubella, polio, diptheria,
pertussis, and tetanus.
- The voluntary agencies will assume responsibility
for finding housing, enrolling children in schools, assisting
in employment opportunities for heads of households,
assistance in language skills, etc.
Resettlement
- Every effort will be made to ensure the resettlement
to the extent possible will not be concentrated in a few
enclaves in the country and will not result in economic or
social service hardship.
- The Department of HEW, subject to Congressional action
on the Administration's bill, will provide full reimbursement
to State and local social service and health agencies for costs
they may incur in providing income assistance, health maintenance,
social services and educational services to refugees who are
in need of such assistance.
GREATO
PROFILE OF THE REFUGEE POPULATION
On May 5, 1975 the Department of Labor reviewed a
sample of 223 families at Camp Pendleton. The sample
indicated the following occupations:
29
percent were professionals or
businessmen, including ministers
13.9
percent were skilled workers
15.2
percent were clerical workers
2
percent were journalists
10
percent were housewives
14
percent were students
3
percent were military
.9
percent (less than one) were
previously engaged in agriculture
12
percent were not specified
GENERAL FORD LIBRARY
CAMP PENDLETON REFUGEE RECEPTION CENTER
Camp Pendleton is a sprawling Marine Corps training base
located 45 miles north of San Diego, California. The camp
area is set in hilly scrubland. Lost in the hills and sepa-
rated by 17 miles from the main base are eight refugee camps
housing a total of 19, 000 refugees. The first refugees
reached Pendleton on April 29 but refugees have not left in
important numbers due to delays in security verification.
One of the camps is made up of neatly rowed if somewhat di-
lapidated quonset huts. The other seven camps are temporary
tent villages. Tents and quonset hut rows are separated by
dirt streets named after Vietnamese cities - "Dalat" street
for example.
In addition to the camps, where the refugees eat and
sleep, there is a processing center housed in a temporary
trailer camp where the refugees receive a medical inspection
and prepare applications and the forms necessary for obtain-
ing social security cards, Immigration Naturalization Service
clearances and the papers required to identify sponsors who
will assist in resettlement.
The administration of the camp is the responsibility of
Brigadier General Paul C. Graham. The refugee resettlement
program is under the direction of Nicholas Thorne, a career
Foreign Service Officer. Mr. Thorne is assisted by repre-
sentatives of the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
HEW, Department of State, the Agency of International Develop-
ment and the United States Information Service. The prin-
cipal voluntary agencies are represented as is the Red Cross.
As in refugee camps the world over life at Pendleton is
gray. To reduce the tedium and anxiety we have begun to
organize sports activities and English classes. But the pre-
occupation of the refugees for the moment is not with the
present but with the shock of the past and the uncertainty
of the future.
REMARKS
MY HUSBAND, OUR CHILDREN AND I HAVE FOLLOWED WITH
GREAT SADNESS THE TRAGIC EVENTS IN INDOCHINA. WE SHARE
YOUR GRIEF, AND HAVE PRAYED FOR YOUR SAFE ARRIVAL.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE TROUBLED, AND THAT YOU WONDER
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR YOU, I AM HERE TODAY TO ASSURE YOU
THAT AMERICA OFFERS YOU THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT IT HAS
OFFERED COUNTLESS GENERATIONS OF IMMIGRANTS -- OUR WELCOME
IS GENUINE, AND OUR INTENTIONS ARE SINCERE.
I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED GREAT HARDSHIP, AND THAT
YOUR SITUATION HERE IS NOT IDEAL. BUT THIS IS ONLY A
TEMPORARY SITUATION WHICH, WHEN RESOLVED, WILL ALLOW
YOU TO REALIZE A NEW LIFE FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILIES, AND
A PROMISING FUTURE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR CHILDRENS
CHILDREN,
GERAL in FORD LIBRARY
-2-
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE -- PEOPLES FROM ALL OVER
THE WORLD, OF ALL RELIGIOUS FAITHS AND POLITICAL
CONVICTIONS -- HAVE IN AMERICA FOUND A NEW HOME,
EVEN AS THEY PRESERVED THEIR MEMORIES AND MANY
CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF THEIR FORMER HOMES, THEY
JOINED WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN THE EXPERIENCE OF
AMERICAN LIFE.
THERE IS A LOVELY VIETNAMESE PROVERB FROM WHICH WE
CAN ALL DRAW INSPIRATION:
"THE ROAD IS HARD BUT IT IS NOT HARD
BECAUSE OF THE WIDTH OF THE RIVERS
OR HEIGHT OF THE MOUNTAINS.
IT IS HARD ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FEAR WE
HAVE OF THE MOUNTAINS AND THE RIVERS."
Do not fear for america offers
AMERICA OFFERS OPPORTUNITY IN FEAR. IT COMES
TO opportunity THOSE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. I KNOW YOU HAVE
THE INDUSTRY, THE STRENGTH AND THE COURAGE TO SEIZE
THAT OPPORTUNITY.
FORD a CERRATO Librar
-3-
I WANT TO EXTEND TO YOU, ON BEHALF OF ALL
AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS, AS WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS,
A WARM HEARTFELT WELCOME.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
For release after 10:30am
wed, may 21,1975 food Remarks
The White House
Remarks: Mrs. Ford
office of the Press secretary to mrs Ford
at Camp Pendletion
My his band our children and d have followed with
quat sadness the tragic events in Indo chrina. Weshave
your grief, and have prayed for your safearried.
here in anima
d know many of you are troubled, and that you
wonder what lies ahead for your has
in America the United States. d am here today
to assure you that america offers you the
Shne promise of opportunity it has offered
counthers at generat ions of immigrants ,
our
welcome is genuine, and our intentions are sincere,
R.FORD
know your homes here Auan tox acknat I d know we
all that the Condit What Frere at
keish the
could 60
better, herever, lash ash that you be paleit,
- 2 -
d know you have all experiended guat
hands hip, and that your situation have
is hast ideal, But this is only a temporary
situation, which, when resolved willallm
you to malize a new life you yourdnes, yourselves
your famlies, your and a premising future
for yourd children, and your childrens
children.
Those who came before - peoples from
all over the world, of all religious faiths and
in America
political convictions
i
have found a home.
Even as they preserved their menories and many PAYD CORD
LIBRARY
cultural traditions of there former homes, they jained
\ \ W 3-
wholeheartedly in the ex perience alamerican life.
Q Then is a lovely Vietnanese proverb from which
we can all draw inspirat ion!
- POEM -
not fear:
america offers opportunity it comes to those
who take advantage of it 0 d know you have the
industry the and strength to siege that apportunit.
'sthe couage
d want to extend to you, on behalfal all
American Immigrants ,as we are all immigrants,
a wom warm heartfelt Welcomes
FORD a GERATO TIPS
2
abtic
We will draw new strength from you, our most recent generation
of immigrants. You may need our help and understanding now, but I
know you will soon achieve success on your own.
coweareall
I want to extend to you, on behalf of all Americans, the same warm
imigrants
has
welcome that we have extended throughout our history to those who
have sought reluge here. You come to us in your moment of deep tragedy,
Inserte and we reach out our hands.
There is a lovely Vietnamese proverb from which we can all draw
A
inspiration:
"The road is hard but it is not hard because of
the width of the rivers or height of the mountains.
It is hard only because of the fear we have of the
mountains and the rivers."
Not to be spoken. to be used only by translator
DUONG DI KHO. KHONG KHO VI
NGAN SONG CACH NULMA KHO
VI LONG NGUOI NGAI NUI E
SONG
R. FORD LIBRANA
REMARKS
My husband, our children and I have followed with great sadness
the tragic recent events in Indochina. We share your grief. and were
I know many of you are troubled, and that you wonder what will his
aheed
happen to you here in the United States.
I want to assure you that America offers you the same promise
that it has offered countless of America's
& our generations intentions immigrants. are Sincere (insent)
welcome is genuine. Those who came before -- peoples from all over
the world, of all religious faiths and political convictions -- have found
a home. Even as they preserved their memories and many cultural
traditions of their former homes, they joined wholeheartedly in the
experience of American life.
America offers opportunity; it comes to those who take advantage
of it. I know you have the industry and strength to seize that opportunity.
You bring to our nation a rich cultural heritage. that, Added to the
it
variety of the American experience, can only make our nation stronger.
You will find we'eve and standing and a desire to share in
we
aid
your culture and experience. You will also l'earn we are anxious to
help.
We can be proud that you have chosen America as your haven and
your home.
FORD of GERALO LIBRARY
2
We will draw new strength from you, our most recent generation
of immigrants. You may need our help and understanding now, but I
know you will soon achieve success on your own.
I want to extend to you, on behalf of all Americans, the same warm
welcome that we have extended throughout our history to those who
have sought refuge here. You come to us in your moment of deep tragedy,
and we reach out our hands. w ant to help.
There is a lovely Vietnamese proverb from which we can all draw
inspiration:
"The road is hard but it is not hard because of
the width of the rivers or height of the mountains.
It is hard only because of the fear we have of the
mountains and the rivers."
Not to be spoken, to be used only by translator
DUONG DI KHo. KHONG KHO VI
NGAN SONG CACH NUI MA KHO
VI LONG NGUOI NGAI NUI E
SONG
R. FORD LIBRARY
Status of Refugee Resettlement Program as of May 16
To date a total of 126, 989 refugees from Indochina have entered U.S.
control.
Of this total, 65, 553 are at Pacific safehavens and restaging areas or on
vessels.
Approximately 61, 436 have arrived in the United States. Of those,
44, 635 are at reception centers and 16, 801 have been processed and
have left government control.
Status of Refugee Resettlement Program as of May 16
To date a total of 126, 989 refugees from Indochina have entered U.S.
control.
Of this total, 65, 553 are at Pacific safehavens and restaging areas or on
vessels.
Approximately 61, 436 have arrived in the United States. Of those,
44, 635 are at reception centers and 16, 801 have been processed and
have left government control.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Mrs. Ford at Pendlehn
Camp to Refugee,
" we here suffered with
you . we hope we
can help you
the warmth in one
from US El
hearb net I bring
"AFte all most of us
Came from the
conntries.
"The road may seen
comp. But I'm sure
gon'll find that with
your diligence - - consumt FORD BRARY
he's -
Pool follow Ners. Ford
Tapenecnder
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
Tare
Primarily Photo
Smound wes 1 - pool for osservation not
Event Observation WASHINGTON
Pool Come intrive buz of limited space
Sund at beginning
hetzy
H
ABC
wall NBC CBS
DENDLETON
POOL
Network Pool Cow.
Netwale Sand
AP Reporter
Newswh.
UPI Report
AP Phot.
UPI phot.
TVN
Mapajine
NY Times Reporter
LA LA Times Times Photographer CLA)
Repate
San Diego Trisune Reporter
Miltany
GERALD R. FORD LIBRARY
Non-poolers -
Try i to help Mem - advapanced
EVACUATION AND RESETTLEMENT
OF INDOCHINESE REFUGEES
Evacuation
- 55,000 U. S. citizens and South Vietnamese have
been evacuated by air and sea by U. S. military.
- All American citizens who wanted to leave South
Vietnam did get out.
- An estimated 65,000 more South Vietnamese have
fled their country on boats.
- Only $98 million was initially available under
existing authority for the evacuation program. An
additional $507 million was requested from Congress.
Restaging Sites
- All refugees are being processed through Guam and
Wake Islands where they are receiving housing,
food, Immigration and Naturalization Service screen-
ing, and rigorous health care.
- An appeal internationally by the U. S. for resettlement
opportunities in third countries, has resulted in the active
participation of the UNHCR and ICEM on Guam. Re-
presentatives are on site assisting in such resettle-
ment. The Australians and the Canadians have
immigration officials on Guam or at Camp Pendleton.
- 2 -
- The health condition is very good, and no unusual
health problems exist.
- As of May 10 less than 100 people out of 30,000
on Guam have been hospitalized, most of which
were for maternity care, pneumonia, mild diarrhea-
but no serious disease.
- INS is processing through those refugees whose
documents are in order and are eligible for entry
into U. S.
- Public Health Service Center for Disease Control
has established a surveillance system to identify
and treat illness.
Reception Centers Stateside
- The three centers are Camp Pendleton, Calif. ;
Fort Chaffee, Ark.; Eglin Air Force Base.
- American voluntary agencies which have enabled
the resettlement of millions of displaced persons
who have been war victims are working closely
with USG to resettle those 130,000 refugees whom
we estimate may enter the U. S.
- The major agencies are:
(see next page)
Migration and refugee Services
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
659-6631
American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees
1709 Broadway, Room 1316
New York, N.Y. 10019
Church World Service
Immigration and Refugee Program
475 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10027
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
315 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10010
United Hias Service, Inc.
200 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10003
Tolstoy Foundation, Inc.
250 West 57th Street
New York, N.Y. 10019
International Rescue Committee
386 Park Avenue South
New York, N.Y. 10016
American Council for Nationalities Service
20 West 40th Street
New York, N.Y.
212/279-2715
Traveler's Aid-International Social Service
New York, N.Y.
212/687-5958
2.
FORD
GERALD
Be 4 -
- In addition, the Red Cross, Travelers Aid International
have provided extraordinary assistance.
- The private sector has come forward with major
expressions of assistance, including United Airlines which is
providing transportation from reception centers to final
destinations throughout the country.
- By the time each refugee leaves a reception site he
will have a local sponsor identified by a voluntary resettlement
agency, a rigorous health screening, and all children 1-5 will
receive immunizations for measles, rubella, polio, diptheria,
pertussis, and tetanus.
- The voluntary agencies will assume responsibility
for finding housing, enrolling children in schools, assisting
in employment opportunities for heads of households,
assistance in language skills, etc.
Resettlement
- Every effort will be made to ensure the resettlement
to the extent possible will not be concentrated in a few
enclaves in the country and will not result in economic or
social service hardship.
- The Department of HEW, subject to Congressional action
on the Administration's bill, will provide full reimbursement
to State and local social service and health agencies for costs
they may incur in providing income assistance, health maintenance,
FURD
social services and educational services to refugees who are
LIBRARY
in need of such assistance.
PROFILE OF THE REFUGEE POPULATION
On May 5, 1975 the Department of Labor reviewed a
sample of 223 families at Camp Pendleton. The sample
indicated the following occupations:
29
percent were professionals or
businessmen, including ministers
13.9
percent were skilled workers
15.2
percent were clerical workers
2
percent were journalists
10
percent were housewives
14
percent were students
3
percent were military
.9
percent (less than one) were
previously engaged in agriculture
12
percent were not specified
FORD 83 RARY
CAMP PENDLETON REFUGEE RECEPTION CENTER
Camp Pendleton is a sprawling Marine Corps training base
located 45 miles north of San Diego, California. The camp
area is set in hilly scrubland. Lost in the hills and sepa-
rated by 17 miles from the main base are eight refugee camps
housing a total of 19, 000 refugees. The first refugees
reached Pendleton on April 29 but refugees have not left in
important numbers due to delays in security verification.
One of the camps is made up of neatly rowed if somewhat di-
lapidated quonset huts. The other seven camps are temporary
tent villages. Tents and quonset hut rows are separated by
dirt streets named after Vietnamese cities - "Dalat" street
for example.
In addition to the camps, where the refugees eat and
sleep, there is a processing center housed in a temporary
trailer camp where the refugees receive a medical inspection
and prepare applications and the forms necessary for obtain-
ing social security cards, Immigration Naturalization Service
clearances and the papers required to identify sponsors who
will assist in resettlement.
The administration of the camp is the responsibility of
Brigadier General Paul C. Graham. The refugee resettlement
program is under the direction of Nicholas Thorne, a career
Foreign Service Officer. Mr. Thorne is assisted by repre-
sentatives of the Immigration and Naturalization Service,
HEW, Department of State, the Agency of International Develop-
ment and the United States Information Service. The prin-
cipal voluntary agencies are represented as is the Red Cross.
As in refugee camps the world over life at Pendleton is
gray. To reduce the tedium and anxiety we have begun to
organize sports activities and English classes. But the pre-
occupation of the refugees for the moment is not with the
present but with the shock of the past and the uncertainty
of the future.
2
FORD
GENALO
LIBRARY
promived 294
all c/o
I
Sun 700 there uff.
All ppenivol.
AREA MEMORANDUM #8- - targe THE WHITE camp HOUSE 5,400
Pash Force
Basic neeson; location
on was WASHINGTON out.
condition of
People need security LIA, How, STATE
spons
DOD
-
Arrives at
to Processing Cente
"headporants" Fute Agency
Tash Fnce Headpoarter
Brefed on
Enter
Brefine Room 11 program here -
Brip. General Paul Graham,
10 Min.
Commanding Gen of C. Pend.
Military Coodination of this
Mr. Nick There - Senin
Civil cordineter fn
the Inte ben ) tash Fora
He determine, processing
2
Got the Voluteer Agencies
Volunteer Agency - unde contract
to state Dept. Have responsibility
10.
to place refugees - -
Min.
"Calluslic Confurence"
FORD & LIBRARY BERALD
" Over Intenet'l Reseue tain
Lu theran sup.
Refusee can fet out 2 ways- They here
Inteprete - Sen Vietnames Corrdinety
Viehnamese MEMORANDUM wn camp 2 PHAT
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
to verify sponsar. Ones don't
have sponsors & here to check
them.
9:55 Board Motacede
10:00 Arrive Area 8, proceed
Survivel
English Class - about 50
LILIBERT Teacher ULEHMET,
This is beginning Euplish
statia ,4
Just
10-11 yr.old
3rd 3 Day
3rd cless- Cless is in
Long Rechanguler
that are screened in in my here
and a dining are Tents
wooden floors.
10:13 leave Class fn PX - -
necessities - they have topa,
Srap; tosthpaste; clothes:
smiliers. When 1st arrived FORD got
pachet
it LIDERAT GERALD
M
KY - -beico
MEMORANDUM
treated the
any oher
THE WHITE HOUSE
Religee.
WASHINGTON
10:13 leive PX for Tentside Wall.
2nd Cot.
10:30
B 57,000 15s. of , Cohers
distributed under auspices
of Navy Cheplen &
10:23 Amine Recreation Anee-
visit youth- meet & great
10:30 Proceed to Microphene.
70:35 Depart.
FORD & LIBRARY BERALD
PRESS CENTER
"OPERATION NEW ARRIVALS"
Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, California 92055
17 June 1975
Dear Sheila:
Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed working with you in preparation
for Mrs. Ford's visit to our refugee center. It was certainly a valuable
learning experience, particularly the pool business.
Things are still going strong out here. Thus far over 2300 newsmen have
passed through our press center, and there's no end in sight. It's been
interesting being spokesman, not only for the military but for the State
Department and all the other federal and volunteer agencies involved.
We've had our moments, but editorial feedback around the globe has been
favorable regarding the Camp Pendleton phase of the operation, and we hope
to keep it that way.
I know you are often involved with large throngs of media, and in retrospect
as I look over Mrs. Ford's visit, the pool was the only way to go although
perhaps your first suggestion of using ropes in the tent-camp area might
have worked, too. The large pool we had that day jammed things up a bit.
Perhaps one network would have been the best bet in lieu of all three.
Those TV guys can really clutter things up and it's difficult for any of
them to get more than a few feet of film at any one time.
FYI, we had a thorough pool report for the non-pool media in our press
center as you drove up to El Toro. The San Diego UNION reporter, Don
Harrison, made a marvelous pool report, and combined with our tapings of
the briefing and Mrs. Ford's remarks, it enabled a reporter to cover the
story and not even leave the press center.
It's a shame that the networks do not have a better arrangement to feed
their affiliates in pool situations, isn't it? We had a few disturbed
regional TV types, and it's too bad the nets can't work something out.
All in all, the coverage out here, and I'm sure across the nation, was
very complete and got the message across. I'll be glad to forward you
some front page clips if you need them.
It was fun meeting you, Sheila. I just wish that Mrs. Ford could have
been with us as we strolled through the tent-camp area that evening.
Things haven't changed. I'm truly impressed with your professionalism,
thoroughness, and good humor. The First Lady is in able hands.
If you ever come out this way again, we'll have a field jacket waiting
for you! I look forward to working with you some time in the future.
Sincerely,
Out
ARTHUR P. BRILL
LtCol
USMC