Alice Frieder Weston

“Everybody knew that conditions in Europe were terrible. And the Jews were looking for a way to get out, and there were very few places they could go. …My father raised the money to bring them over and get them visas. And so 1,200 refugees actually were able to come.”

“We had open house for the refugees every Friday night, and the table was piled high with fried chicken and orchids from the garden. My mother used to go to the refugees who had become settled in their own homes.”

“The back porch was very significant because that‟s when a lot of the discussions and the planning for bringing the refugees going over to the Philippines were hatched. My bedroom window overlooked that area. I couldn‟t be seen or heard. (Laughs) But I could spy on them, and I knew what they were doing.”

“It was a colonial life because the Philippines were still a protectorate of the United States. And we had 13 people in help. We had a nice yard, beautiful trees and orchids around the perimeter. Swimming pool. Tennis court. We belonged to a lot of clubs. It was a very gracious life.”

“The American Army was a big presence before the war when the Philippines were still a protectorate. The

MacArthurs were there, Douglas and Jean, his wife Jean. And the Eisenhowers. Eisenhower was a colonel at the time, and his wife Mamie.”