Although I knew Emerson through the VFW, I first met him on Election night, November, 2012.  I was a poll chief at Murphy Playground.  My only assistants were high school students, who were released at 8 PM, after the polls closed, but before the ballots were collected.  This left me alone, meaning there would be no witnesses to what might happen to the ballots in my custody.

I called election HQ and they said they would send someone.  After about an hour Emerson showed up.  We had nothing to do until the collection agent showed up, so we talked.  I found him tremendously interesting.  After we closed the polling place, having posted results, etc.,  I drove him home--somewhere south of Market.

I next encountered him at VFW, Chinatown/91st Division.

What’s wrong with you? So what a vendor put us by the bathroom. They are poor and have no space. Let’s make the best of it and reach out to people .Emerson took a chair and sat between the men and women’s room. And asked each patron coming out. Are you prepared for a disaster? Here is some information so you can be informed , make a plan and get a kit. Don’t toss it, next time you go again I will quiz you! Then he’d laugh his Emerson laugh.

“If you go, serve with care , kindness and consideration. Can we all get along—-“Emerson chin favorite line.

Emerson always worried about immigrants. He took part in Cameron house immigrant and refugee Christmas toy giveaway and Nico’s Christmas party

He would find out about on lok and  Annie’s free citizenship workshop and he would volunteer to stand for four hours giving info and translating

He said”In the past chinese didn’t have opportunity now we have to give them and their families a fighting chance.”