Members of the Khmer Solidarity Association Members of the Khmer Solidarity Association (later known as Cambodian Association of America) made regular visits to Camp Pendleton to support Cambodian evacuees. This photograph from May 1975, shows a large group of the members in front of a Quonset hut. (David Kreng Collection)
Car Cleaning at a Gas Station Mr. Pheany Chey, who had been a student at California State University Long Beach in the 1960s, returned to Long Beach with his family shortly before the Khmer Rouge took control of the country. He purchased a full-service gas station, and his businesses grew from there. Such enterprises provided early business opportunities for Cambodians.
United Cambodian Community Exterior In 1977, community leaders branched off from the first Cambodian mutual assistance association, The Cambodian Association of America (CAA), to create a second social service organization in Long Beach, The United Cambodian Community (UCC). In this photo, San Thi Tran (right) is pictured in front of the first location of the UCC, alongside another woman who was actively engaged in projects aimed at supporting the growing refugee community.
Offerings during Pchum Ben This is an offering to the ancestors during Pchum Ben, a ceremony held in mid-October to honor not only deceased family members but all spirits. The bowls are Buddhist alms bowls. Buddhist monks are not allowed to cook so each morning they go from house to house in the village to collect offerings of food in their bowls. This is part Buddhist practice which teaches the monks humility and provides the laity with the opportunity to increase their merit by feeding the monks. During Pchum Ben all souls are free to return to the earth to meet with their ancestors at the temple. The monks’ bowls are lined up on a table and each person places a spoonful of rice in each bowl as an offering to their ancestors.
First National Conference 1976 As the situation in Cambodia worsened, delegates and representatives of Cambodian associations from across the nation united under one national organization. This group picture is from the first national conference of Cambodian associations from across the United States. The conference was held in Long Beach, California in 1976 with the aim to mobilize resources and come together to ensure the refugees received the needed financial and social support.
Khmer Solidarity Association Members of the Khmer Solidarity Association (later known as Cambodian Community Association) made regular visits to Camp Pendleton to support Cambodian evacuees. This photograph from May 1975, shows a large group of the members in front of a quonset hut. (David Kreng Collection)