My grandfather was a young solider in the U.S. Navy stationed in the Pacific during WWII. Like many other soldiers returning home upon the conclusion of the war, my grandfather arrived back in Mokena, Illinois, with exotic-looking treasures tucked into his pockets. He gifted this gold and jade necklace from Japan to his future wife, my grandmother. My grandfather passed away when I was just a baby, so I wasn’t fortunate enough to have known him. It was my grandmother who folded this necklace into my hand one birthday, giving me the only object that connects me to my paternal family. I only wear this necklace on the most special of occasions. 

– Kara

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more