The Anderson family, 1957
![Anderson, Seal [sic] Bong Check Family Photo](/sites/default/files/styles/photo_of_the_day/public/photo/Feb.-9.jpg?h=9e499333&itok=Z4w8wjmT)
Anderson, Seal [sic] Bong Check Family Photo: Maj. Brooks Anderson shows a photograph of his American family to his adoptive daughter, 17-year-old Korean-born Seol Bong. Maj. Anderson met Seol during his duty tour as the executive officer of the United Nations Armistice Commission. Appalled by the extreme poverty he encountered arriving in Korea almost a year and a half ago, he decided to do something about it. He organized clothing drives in his hometown of Schenectady, New York and was able to distribute warm winter clothes just in time for Christmas. He also devoted time to teaching English and American History classes. One of his students was the then 16-year-old Seol who, despite her hardship, remained cheerful and ambitious. Deciding she deserved special help, Maj. Anderson asked his wife to first buy clothing for Seol and eventually, to adopt the girl who Mrs. Anderson only knew from her husband's letters. Maj. Anderson has since been transferred to a new duty station in Japan. Seol - now a high school senior and fluent in English - is a straight A student at Yokohama American School and plans to go to college and eventually becoming a teacher. The Anderson family is slated to reunite - and unite for the first time - in Japan soon.
