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Fred and Teresa Hyndman, shown in their Scotts Valley home, immigrated from Hong Kong after it fell to Japanese invasion in World War II. They became U.S. citizens in 1963 and say they have achieved the American dream. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner

There, Fred worked in an office, while Teresa attended Catholic junior and senior high schools.

After the war, the families returned to Hong Kong. The couple met in the church, married and had their first two children. They didn’t stay long, though.

"We saw the inevitability of China taking over the colony," Fred said. "After a two-year wait for a visa, we finally arrived by boat in San Francisco."

To get the visa, they had to put up $5,000 per adult and $2,500 per child. "This money was held by the U.S. government until we became citizens," Teresa said.

They arrived in January 1958, at the start of an economic recession. Teresa was pregnant and gave birth to their third son two months later.

"I pounded the streets for a whole month, willing to take anything, before I found a job with a small warehouse firm," Fred recalled. "I did all the physical as well as office work, as the only other employee was the owner’s wife."

Six months later, he found a job as an insurance trainee and became an underwriter.

"I went to school at night for two years and achieved the highest certificate in the industry," he said. "It is called chartered property-and-casualty underwriter. He went on to work in the insurance industry until his retirement."

The Hyndmans had seven children, six boys and a girl. Teresa stayed at home to raise the children. All grew up to go to college on partial scholarships and worked for the rest of their tuition.

"Everyone appreciates what they earn, rather than getting gifts or something free," Teresa said. "That is why, after high school, the children were on their own."

They became a lawyer, two architects, a commercial writer, a venture capitalist, a teacher and a magazine graphic designer.

After Fred had been moved around California by his employer, the Hyndmans retired to Scotts Valley because of the climate.

"We built our home on a half-acre lot where we can walk to the Catholic church," Fred said. "My volunteer service includes being an Eucharistic minister, visiting home-based parishioners and serving on the parish council.

Teresa makes her contribution by scheduling religious and social activities.

Their most memorable moment? Being sworn in as American citizens in 1963.

"We achieved the American dream," Fred said.

"People who are born here usually do not appreciate the United States the way we do," Teresa added. "It is a wonderful country."