Ursula Gertrude Trujillo (nee Kline)
Ursula Gertrude Kline was born in Neunkirchen, Germany and raised by her grandmother in Wellesweiler, Germany. Ursula married in 1963 to United Sates Air Force GI, Ray Trujillo, who was stationed in Germany. In 1965 Ursula finally moved to the United States with her husband and two children Tommy 3, and Little Ray 2. Ursula lived in Albuquerque, NM. Ursula had two more children Viola and Debra Jean. Ursula lived in Albuquerque, NM from 1965 to 1980. Ursula divorced and got a job transfer with K-Mart to San Antonio. After only a few months of looking for stable housing, Ursula bought land and a house in Elmendorf, Texas . (A little town outside of San Antonio) Nine years later my family moved about a quarter of a mile down the street from Ursula. She was the family's first new friend and has been a good friend ever since. Ursula still lives in Elmendorf, TX. She is a cashier at a local convenience store and now has four grandchildren.
What was it like growing up in Germany?
Oh God...It was hard. It was always hard work. I went to school for nine years and then I went to straight to work at the factory until I got married. It was a factory where they made Co2 bottles . They would come off the conveyor belt and they would be inspected and if anything was wrong with them I weld them.
What did your family think when you told them that you were getting married and the man you were marrying is an American?
My family disowned me because he was an American GI in the United States Air Force. World War II only ended about 18 years earlier and generally the older generation who lived through it had very hard feelings towards Americans. I'm not sure how it is there today but maybe the younger generations have moved on. The discrimination that goes on here in America with African-Americans and other nationalities is what it was like for Americans in Germany. Some people move on and others keep grinding the situation.
What did you think America was going to be like based on your previous knowledge?
Cowboys and Indians (laughs) I used to love the cowboys and Indians movies that would come out. No one had a television except for one neighbor and every Sunday he would let all us kids go over and watch Black Fury, but he was selling ice cream so we had to buy an ice cream.
Was is it really difficult to get all the proper papers and documentation to move to America officially?
Yes, between all the shots and paper work I was ready to leave. When we left all I took with me was some clothes, my husband, and two kids.
When you finally arrived to America what was one of your first thoughts?
The cities look like one big shopping mall.
Were American's kind and helpful to you upon your arrival?
Being from another country everyone made me feel good. Everyone was really helpful, especially with the language. I did not know any English but, before long I learned enough "choppy" English to socialize more.
Were school and work opportunities available to you?
Yes, once I learned enough English to get by I got a cashier job at K-Mart. I have been a cashier ever since. Not specifically at K-Mart, generally convenience stores.
How did you end up in Elmendorf, TX?
In 1980 I got a divorce from Ray and got granted a job transfer to San Antonio. I lived here and there around San Antonio for a couple of months. I always wanted to live in the country where there is some peace so I bought a little land and home in Elmendorf and I have been here ever since.
Was there ever a time that you wished you never came to America?
Yes, not long after we moved to New Mexico, my son Tommy had gotten very sick and passed away. He had Spinal Meningitis . I felt that it was my fault that he had gotten sick. If only we had just stayed in Germany he would have never gotten sick.
Have you been back to Germany since you left the first time?
Yes, I went to visit my Grandmother but after she passed away there was never really anymore reason for me to return. When I left Germany that really broke all strong ties I had with my family. So I have not been back since 1972.
Comparing your childhood growing up in Germany do you see any major differences between the younger generation today in America from your generation when you were younger?
Yes, some major differences. I think the biggest difference I have seen is drugs. Drugs were not really heard of in my town growing up. Now, you see and hear about the younger generations doing all types of drugs at very young ages.
Are there things about Germany you liked better than America?
Um, yes, in Germany I like the foundation and structured way of living over there. People had a strong belief in working hard and providing for themselves and their family. Here in America I have seen so many people not do a whole thing their whole life but sit around and just float through it.
Were there any other difficulties you experienced when you arrived to America?
Besides learning how to drive, no. When I was learning to drive I backed the car into the garage. I t was horrible.
Are you happy with the way your life has turned out? Do you have any regrets for coming to America?
I am very happy with my life. I am not rich but I own my own home and property. I am happy with all the independence I have. I have three beautiful kids that are healthy and four wonderful grandchildren that I love very much. So no, I have no regrets about the choice I made and the life I have lead.
From doing the interview I can say I have learned a lot more than I really expected. My personal reason for choosing Ursula for my project is I wanted to compare my own first hand experiences of Germany today as a tourist and the first-hand experiences form someone who is from Germany and from a different generation. I have known Ursula for about 14 years and most of the things I learned about her for the interview I never even knew, maybe because I never bothered to ask. The interview assignment was difficult in many ways but very important. I realized the importance of family, friends and those you love. My interview there were some benefits because she was born right after World War II and that gave me great ideas for question because she was so young. It would have been nice to have sit down with her Grandmother, who unfortunately passed on. Ursula's Grandmother lived through both World Wars. I could have gotten a more accurate account of all the experiences. I personally believe the interview can be very effective, the topic is interesting and the interviewer was constructive and accurate.
Books-Maps. Com http://www.books-maps.com/DE/ZOP.html
Burgerman's http://www.diy-nitrous.fsnet.co.uk/co2-nitrous-bottles-tanks.htm 2003. The site offers information on nitrous systems designers, different types of equipment.
Meningitis Foundation of America http://www.musa.org/symptoms.htm This foundations site offers information on Spinal meningitis. It gives facts about the disease and is very helpful for those who need it.
Elmendorf, Texas
http://reference.allrefer.com/gazetteer/E/E02123-elmendorf.html
Encyclopedia and reference resource provides information, statistics, and facts
about Elmendorf, Texas (TX) (Bexar County)
United States Air Force http://www.af.mil Official website of the U.S. Air Force