The voyage of the Annie M. Goodwin left from Le Havre, France, for the Port of New York. On board were 19 families: 25 adults, six children. Arriving that day were the dreams of families and individuals searching for freedom and a new life in America. That day was Sept. 25, 1867, at the beautiful safe harbor of New York. From Germany, France, Prussia and Switzerland, all were listed as farmers. S. W. Fitchett, master of the bark Annie M. Goodwin, was my great-great-grandfather. Thank you for bringing all of them safely across the Atlantic to a new land of hope and aspirations.

Yes, we need a good immigration policy that works for the country now and in the future. Instead, we have the leader of the Free World deciding a policy of separating families from one another. Internment camps of disillusionment is not the answer. We need to work together and make this a better place for our future generations.

Jack Steel

Stonington