Comments on: John Lloyd Young Featured on ‘We Are Ellis Island’ Campaign

By: PeggySue Perry

PeggySue Perry — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:17:59 +0000

growning up in the Bronx 36 years never visited ELLIS Island went to school in the city it wasn’t until I moved to Arizona and my grandmother died and after 911 made the trip back many times until 2 years ago it was finally time to go there and see the wall with NANA’ name just to walk around there and see all the different rooms, when I was done walking I went outside and stared at the water, thinking to myself how did all these people feel when they finally stepped off the boats how scared were they and how excited were they to be here in America. I remember my Nana telling me very few stories about her long trip here from Ireland.I am glad I finally went there with my sister,and my daughter and family looking forward to next summer when I will be in New York
and will be able to see more of this beautiful Island. Scottsdale AZ, but always and forever a New Yorker from the Bronx………..PeggySue Perry

By: Howard Tucker

Howard Tucker — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:53:00 +0000

John, thanks for your story. My mother emigrated from Poland in the 1920′s, but I’ve never visited Ellis Island or even entered this site until linking from your Blog to your story. I registered and in a matter of seconds, found my mother, the date she came over, the ship’s name, her place of departure, and her last residence in Poland. Indeed, I never even knew that her real birth name was “Sura”, which she Americanized to “Sarah”.

Although not as young as you were, I lost my mom as a boy 40 years ago, and really never thought too much about my genealogy. John, I never would have dreamed you would have given me a gift in addition to the pleasure of watching you perform in “Jersey Boys” 11 times. Tonight, you just did. Thank you.

By: David Cace

David Cace — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:19:00 +0000

What a special tribute to his great grandfather…done with class as always.

By: Gayle Kamen

Gayle Kamen — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:01:03 +0000

I loved this tribute to his ancestors. My father came to this country through Ellis Island to escape the Nazis in the late 1930′s. I am first generation to go to college, and graduate school. We have a plaque in the wall at Ellis Island as a tribute and listed on the ship manifest. I had chills reading JLY’s story. Gayle Kamen-Weinstein

By: Mike B. Magbaleta

Mike B. Magbaleta — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:36:54 +0000

What a truly heartwarming piece! My parents both emigrated from the Philippines and know all of the hardships that anyone coming from a different country has experienced in order to make a living and support a family.

When I visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, I felt like I could experience what the previous generation had gone through, then felt that sense of pride like all of us do belong here because we all helped build this nation!

I’m glad to see John Lloyd Young as one of the “ambassadors” for that benefit! The cause for keeping Ellis Island alive is something that we as Americans should consider giving aid to. Our past is something that should be cherished and remembered.