Telegram from Jean Lyke, Flight Attendant for American Airlines that Participated in Airlift of Vietnamese Refugees, to President Gerald R. Ford

May 12, 1975 GENERAL, ND18-2/CO 165-2 Dear Miss Lyke: Thank you for your kind message in support of our efforts to aid the South Vietnamese refugees. The United States has had a long tradition of opening its doors to displaced persons. Certainly, I can understand the economic concerns that have been voiced, but we must not forget that we are a country of immi- grants and that we have always been a humanitarian Nation. I am convinced that the vast majority of Americans share your belief that these refugees must be given an opportunity to live in freedom and I am heartened to know of your support. Sincerely, GERALD R. FORD Miss Jean x Lyke 233 East 69th Street New York, New York 10021 GRF:JH:RE:PAT:1r 60 P-60 for 1 RECEIVED FORD is LIBRARY GERALD MAY 20 19.75 CENTRAL FILES STATES POSTA ® MGMWSHT HSB 2-053355E127 05/07/75 western union Mailgram UNITED * U.S.MAIL SERVICE * ICS IPMMTZZ CSP 2128798612 MGM TDMT NEW YORK NY 100 05-07 0812P EST ******* ZIP THIS MAILGRAM ELECTRONICALLY BY WESTERN UNION TO A POST OFFICE NEAR YOU FOR DELIVERY Pro airlift TRANSMITTE 27 PRESIDENT GERALD FORD WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC 20500 RE I SHARE YOUR IRRITATED FEELINGS AND ALSO I SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE FUNDS 100 PERCENT. I AM AN AIRLINE FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND PART-TIME UNIVERSITY STUDENT. I HAVE JUST RETURNED THIS EVENING FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE AIRLIFT TO EL TORO CALIFORNIA FROM GUAM. THE 1 RECEPTIVENESS OF THESE PEOPLE TO KINDNESS, WARMTH AND SINCERITY WAS BEYOND DOUBT THE MOST MOVING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE, MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN HELPING THEM TOGETHER WITH THE WARM RECEPTION THEY RECEIVED AT EL TORO FROM BOTH THE MARINES AND THE RED CROSS WAS A MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE. I FELT VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. THERE ARE MANY AMERICANS THAT DO CARE AND WE WANT TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN. RESPECTFULLY, JEAN LYKE, FLIGHT ATTENDANT AMERICAN AIRLINES HOME ADDRESS: 233 EAST 69TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10021 20:12 EST MGMWSHT HSB FORD & LIBRARY GERALD 5241 (R2-74) REPLY BY MAILGRAM - SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR WESTERN UNION'S TOLL FREE PHONE NUMBERS