His family helped build the Pacific railroad and contributed to the growth of the United States. Now he is honoring their legacy.
In the 1800s, laborers of Chinese descent helped connect the eastern U.S. to the West by building the transcontinental railroad.PHOENIX — Generations of hard workers laid the foundation to help Arizona, and the West, become what it is today. A Phoenix man shares his family's story, and how they played a role in better connecting the communities hours away from each other. .
When Yen looks outside his home nestled at the base of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves, the city and mountain views remind him of his family. "I think about my grandparents and I think about the lives that they had and the hopes that they had for their family," Yen said. The hopes and dreams of building a better life are why Yen's paternal grandparents left China. He said back then, his grandparents struggled.His paternal grandfather moved to Arizona in 1915. Yen shared photos of his grandfather who was pictured behind the wheel of his pickup truck that was filled with stacks of flour.
Yen said his great-grandfather worked as a laborer on the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1887-1893, helping lay the tracks connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. labor union, between 10,000-15,000 people working on the transcontinental railroad were of Chinese descent. Between 1863-1869, they estimate more than a thousand workers were killed on the job from explosions, falling off ledges, etc. "What they did helped build this country.
As he reflects on his family's hopes and dreams of building a better life, Yen said it's important to remember the sacrifices made by his family and so many other rail workers of Chinese descent. 'His wish has paved the way for all the others': Stolen statue of original 'Make-A-Wish' child to be replaced Tuesday
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