Historical Society of Long Beach

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Monorom Neth

Wedding photo of Monorom Neth and his wife, Kessar Norodom in Bellflower, CA 2003. The ceremony was in her home. He was 33 years old at the time.
Wedding photo of Monorom Neth and his wife, Kessar Norodom in Bellflower, CA 2003. The ceremony was in her home. He was 33 years old at the time.

Monorom Neth

Monorom Neth’s mother, Om Van, at the Angkor area in Siem Reap, Cambodia 2001. This was her first visit back to Cambodia.
Monorom Neth’s mother, Om Van, at the Angkor area in Siem Reap, Cambodia 2001. This was her first visit back to Cambodia.

Monorom Neth

Monorom Neth (rt) with his future wife, Kessar Norodom in Norwalk, CA 1992. They met at Cerritos College and are on their first Valentine’s date.
Monorom Neth (rt) with his future wife, Kessar Norodom in Norwalk, CA 1992. They met at Cerritos College and are on their first Valentine’s date.

Monorom Neth

Monorom Neth with family as they celebrate Valerie’s birthday (in front of the birthday cake, wearing the blouse with the red bow) in Bellflower, CA 1989. From left to right: Monorom’s sister, Somealea; behind her, is Sakok; Monorom’s mother, Om Van; unnamed aunt behind her; Monorom’s sister, Somealy; Monorom; his cousin, Valerie Sam; his mother’s youngest sister, Savanna Om; Thida Neth, the two children in white and blue are unnamed. Monorom’s mother, Om Van, adopted Thida after her twin sister died. In Cambodia, it is common for extended family to adopt others from the extended family even when the parents of the adoptee are alive and live nearby.
Monorom Neth with family as they celebrate Valerie’s birthday (in front of the birthday cake, wearing the blouse with the red bow) in Bellflower, CA 1989. From left to right: Monorom’s sister, Somealea; behind her, is Sakok; Monorom’s mother, Om Van; unnamed aunt behind her; Monorom’s sister, Somealy; Monorom; his cousin, Valerie Sam; his mother’s youngest sister, Savanna Om; Thida Neth, the two children in white and blue are unnamed. Monorom’s mother, Om Van, adopted Thida after her twin sister died. In Cambodia, it is common for extended family to adopt others from the extended family even when the parents of the adoptee are alive and live nearby.

Monorom Neth

Monorom Neth’s brother, Sakarl Neth, during his ordination at the Khemara Buddihikaram Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Long Beach, CA, 1988 or 89. Sarkarl is reciting the rules to become a monk.
Monorom Neth’s brother, Sakarl Neth, during his ordination at the Khemara Buddihikaram Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Long Beach, CA, 1988 or 89. Sarkarl is reciting the rules to become a monk.

Monorom Neth

Monorom Neth’s brother, Sarkarl, becoming a novice monk at the Khemara Buddihikaram Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Long Beach, CA, 1988. Monorom’s mother, Om Van, is presenting Sarkarl’s robes to him. The robes are protected by an embroidered and beaded covering called a “trai.” He was ordained by Rev. Kong Cheang, the temple’s Abbot and the first Cambodian Buddhist monk in the U.S.
Monorom Neth’s brother, Sarkarl, becoming a novice monk at the Khemara Buddihikaram Cambodian Buddhist Temple in Long Beach, CA, 1988. Monorom’s mother, Om Van, is presenting Sarkarl’s robes to him. The robes are protected by an embroidered and beaded covering called a “trai.” He was ordained by Rev. Kong Cheang, the temple’s Abbot and the first Cambodian Buddhist monk in the U.S.