Although
he was born in the U.S.
and was
one of America's great citizens, Philip
Ahn was a true son of Korea. He upheld his Confucian role of filial
piety. He honorably upheld his father's dignity and dedication to bring
independence to Korea. He
cared for his mother and family. He
never denied his Korean heritage. He
worked for the Korean people and helped them throughout his life.
Every house Philip Ahn
called home
was open to all kinds of people. The Victorian houses, the house above
the Hollywood Bowl, the beautiful Northridge home. . . . The pioneer Korean
American community was centered on the Ahn family's residences in the
early 1900s. And, many of the Koreans coming from Korea in the 1960s and
early 1970s came to Philip and his mother for advice and assistance. Once,
an entire crew from a Korean navy ship docked in Long Beach came for dinner.
Korean businessmen and politicians came to Philip's home for support and
introductions. American politicians sought Philip's fame to enhance their
campaigns and raise funds. American businessmen sought his endorsements
of their products and contacts in Korea. And the Hollywood crowd made
their appearances as well. The Ahn family always gathered here for the
holidays. If only the walls could tell the great things we don't know.
One of Philip's
greatest projects was
the building of a memorial park and burial site for his father
and mother. Philip's
father had been buried in the hills far from Seoul under orders of
the Japanese, who wanted Koreans to forget the greatness of their nationalist
leader. After years of planning and many trips to Korea, Philip
Ahn's dream came true in November 1973. Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Park was
dedicated and opened in Seoul, Korea. Philip
brought his mother from Los Angeles to be buried next to Dosan at their
final resting place. Dosan had left America in 1926 for the last time.
He never saw his family again and never had the chance to see or hold
his youngest son, Ralph.
