A refugee’s journey: From Saigon’s fall to helping new arrivals in the U.S. | Full Interview
KING 5 Seattle
[{'start': '0.000', 'end': '5.120', 'text': 'All'}, {'start': '1.760', 'end': '7.279', 'text': 'right. Um, how old were you uh when you'}, {'start': '5.120', 'end': '10.240', 'text': 'when you evacuated?'}, {'start': '7.279', 'end': '13.040', 'text': 'Well, I just turned 17 years old at that'}, {'start': '10.240', 'end': '15.040', 'text': 'time. Really? Yeah.'}, {'start': '13.040', 'end': '17.279', 'text': 'Um, what are your thoughts? I mean, 50'}, {'start': '15.040', 'end': '18.960', 'text': 'years ago, I mean, you clearly you'}, {'start': '17.279', 'end': '20.320', 'text': 'remember it pretty well. You have quite'}, {'start': '18.960', 'end': '22.640', 'text': 'a story to tell, but what, you know,'}, {'start': '20.320', 'end': '24.800', 'text': 'just kind of looking back, um, it was'}, {'start': '22.640', 'end': '26.960', 'text': 'such a turning point in the history of'}, {'start': '24.800', 'end': '29.840', 'text': 'Vietnam and this country. What are your'}, {'start': '26.960', 'end': '29.840', 'text': 'thoughts?'}, {'start': '31.960', 'end': '40.640', 'text': 'Well, the thought the you know you you'}, {'start': '36.880', 'end': '42.760', 'text': "go with your normal daily life. You're"}, {'start': '40.640', 'end': '48.239', 'text': 'not really thinking about'}, {'start': '42.760', 'end': '51.600', 'text': 'it until the day pop it up and hit you'}, {'start': '48.239', 'end': '53.800', 'text': 'and all the thing happened 50 years ago'}, {'start': '51.600', 'end': '58.039', 'text': 'is all of a sudden just like a slow'}, {'start': '53.800', 'end': '62.640', 'text': 'movie, you know, come back to you'}, {'start': '58.039', 'end': '64.600', 'text': 'and you begin reliving it. you know, you'}, {'start': '62.640', 'end': '68.000', 'text': 'had 200 minutes'}, {'start': '64.600', 'end': '72.159', 'text': "to get out of your house and you didn't"}, {'start': '68.000', 'end': '76.320', 'text': 'know where you supposed to go. Um, you'}, {'start': '72.159', 'end': '83.000', 'text': 'see the dead body laying on the street'}, {'start': '76.320', 'end': '87.159', 'text': 'in the gutter and you see the soldiers'}, {'start': '83.000', 'end': '92.000', 'text': 'is the fear and the faith you never'}, {'start': '87.159', 'end': '93.920', 'text': 'forget. They went into the house of the'}, {'start': '92.000', 'end': '96.880', 'text': 'people le clothes on the street and'}, {'start': '93.920', 'end': '99.759', 'text': 'begging for civilian clothes so they can'}, {'start': '96.880', 'end': '102.880', 'text': 'change it so they can plan in and they'}, {'start': '99.759', 'end': '105.680', 'text': 'can escape and somehow get back to their'}, {'start': '102.880', 'end': '108.880', 'text': 'home because a lot of them not live'}, {'start': '105.680', 'end': '112.880', 'text': 'right in Saigon city at that point and'}, {'start': '108.880', 'end': '117.040', 'text': 'they had to travel probably 150 m to'}, {'start': '112.880', 'end': '120.159', 'text': 'their home and try to hiding themsel and'}, {'start': '117.040', 'end': '124.799', 'text': 'people run all over the plate and also'}, {'start': '120.159', 'end': '127.759', 'text': 'the B40 rocket begin shooting in into'}, {'start': '124.799', 'end': '132.160', 'text': 'the city at that point. So when you'}, {'start': '127.759', 'end': '135.440', 'text': 'heard a big loud noise, you better go'}, {'start': '132.160', 'end': '140.480', 'text': "and find the plate to cover. that you're"}, {'start': '135.440', 'end': '144.720', 'text': 'waiting to hear the air been steering'}, {'start': '140.480', 'end': '149.120', 'text': 'apart by the the rocket flying and you'}, {'start': '144.720', 'end': '153.720', 'text': 'heard the third the big loud drop and'}, {'start': '149.120', 'end': '157.120', 'text': 'you pray and see and hope the rocket not'}, {'start': '153.720', 'end': '160.440', 'text': "exploded and that's the thing I remember"}, {'start': '157.120', 'end': '164.400', 'text': '50 years ago today'}, {'start': '160.440', 'end': '167.280', 'text': 'and this time of the day 11:00'}, {'start': '164.400', 'end': '171.280', 'text': 'My father is just desperate to have the'}, {'start': '167.280', 'end': '174.959', 'text': 'family get out safely and the family of'}, {'start': '171.280', 'end': '179.200', 'text': '11 childrens and his mother and his wife'}, {'start': '174.959', 'end': '183.120', 'text': 'and not easy and the telephone line been'}, {'start': '179.200', 'end': '185.200', 'text': 'cut to no longer be able to communicate'}, {'start': '183.120', 'end': '189.599', 'text': 'with the people. you think they can help'}, {'start': '185.200', 'end': '192.319', 'text': 'you out including Americans at that time'}, {'start': '189.599', 'end': '195.760', 'text': 'because my family supposed to leave the'}, {'start': '192.319', 'end': '198.640', 'text': "country by airplane but we can't get"}, {'start': '195.760', 'end': '202.319', 'text': "into the airports we can't get into the"}, {'start': '198.640', 'end': '204.879', 'text': 'US embassy and so my father had to find'}, {'start': '202.319', 'end': '208.959', 'text': 'all the way available to him at that'}, {'start': '204.879', 'end': '212.560', 'text': 'time to get the family out and at 2 10'}, {'start': '208.959', 'end': '215.599', 'text': 'minutes after two we got the news if we'}, {'start': '212.560', 'end': '219.280', 'text': 'can get out of Vietnam But not by plane,'}, {'start': '215.599', 'end': '223.080', 'text': 'not by helicopter, but by boat. And my'}, {'start': '219.280', 'end': '227.120', 'text': 'house is about 20 minutes away from the'}, {'start': '223.080', 'end': '229.760', 'text': 'harbor. And we no longer had the plan'}, {'start': '227.120', 'end': '232.879', 'text': 'carry the luggage, our belongings, our'}, {'start': '229.760', 'end': '237.200', 'text': 'you know momento and the other thing.'}, {'start': '232.879', 'end': '240.959', 'text': 'The new plan is three layer of clothes'}, {'start': '237.200', 'end': '243.200', 'text': 'in your body. Change your sandal to the'}, {'start': '240.959', 'end': '247.360', 'text': 'tennis shoe.'}, {'start': '243.200', 'end': '251.519', 'text': 'carry the water in the jug we had and'}, {'start': '247.360', 'end': '256.000', 'text': 'had dehydration rice and condensed milks'}, {'start': '251.519', 'end': '258.639', 'text': 'and dry fruit so we can last for a while'}, {'start': '256.000', 'end': '262.000', 'text': "and that's the plan I get out at United"}, {'start': '258.639', 'end': '265.240', 'text': 'States as United get out of Vietnam and'}, {'start': '262.000', 'end': '268.400', 'text': 'I came to this country with no luggage'}, {'start': '265.240', 'end': '271.120', 'text': 'nothing whatever I had the clothes I'}, {'start': '268.400', 'end': '275.320', 'text': 'carry with me plus some clothes I'}, {'start': '271.120', 'end': '281.520', 'text': 'collect when I was in um the refugee'}, {'start': '275.320', 'end': '281.520', 'text': 'camp for chefy at that what I'}, {'start': '282.919', 'end': '285.919', 'text': 'have'}, {'start': '301.080', 'end': '308.560', 'text': 'excaving My mom and dad lost'}, {'start': '304.360', 'end': '308.560', 'text': 'everything and we head out for the'}, {'start': '310.039', 'end': '317.479', 'text': 'unknown and without my father courage I'}, {'start': '314.800', 'end': '321.280', 'text': 'never be able to be here'}, {'start': '317.479', 'end': '324.639', 'text': 'today. the document he have because he'}, {'start': '321.280', 'end': '327.479', 'text': 'been educated by United States and that'}, {'start': '324.639', 'end': '330.360', 'text': 'the ticket to get me through the Saigon'}, {'start': '327.479', 'end': '335.039', 'text': 'harbor because the gate is completely'}, {'start': '330.360', 'end': '338.360', 'text': 'shut and Marine US Marine already patrol'}, {'start': '335.039', 'end': '341.199', 'text': 'take control of the harbor and with that'}, {'start': '338.360', 'end': '344.240', 'text': 'documents that allow my family get'}, {'start': '341.199', 'end': '346.080', 'text': 'through the narrow gate open and be able'}, {'start': '344.240', 'end': '348.160', 'text': 'to get through it and get into the'}, {'start': '346.080', 'end': '350.320', 'text': 'boats.'}, {'start': '348.160', 'end': '352.560', 'text': 'Once you were on the boat though, uh'}, {'start': '350.320', 'end': '354.960', 'text': 'that was a whole other ordeal, right?'}, {'start': '352.560', 'end': '358.240', 'text': 'You 11 days and you ran out of food and'}, {'start': '354.960', 'end': '362.039', 'text': 'water. Tell me about that. Okay, so we'}, {'start': '358.240', 'end': '365.199', 'text': 'got in the boat about 2:45 3:00 at that'}, {'start': '362.039', 'end': '367.880', 'text': 'time and they said the boat will leave'}, {'start': '365.199', 'end': '371.840', 'text': 'the harbors about'}, {'start': '367.880', 'end': '374.000', 'text': '4:30. So get into the boat and I'}, {'start': '371.840', 'end': '376.400', 'text': "thought, okay, it's you know, just a"}, {'start': '374.000', 'end': '378.960', 'text': 'piece of cake. you know, you you young,'}, {'start': '376.400', 'end': '383.039', 'text': "you're so naive, you never, you know,"}, {'start': '378.960', 'end': '385.840', 'text': 'take a trip on the water like that. So,'}, {'start': '383.039', 'end': '388.240', 'text': 'at the first 20 minutes, we all happy.'}, {'start': '385.840', 'end': '390.240', 'text': 'We was in the boat and more people come'}, {'start': '388.240', 'end': '394.680', 'text': 'in and more people coming in, more'}, {'start': '390.240', 'end': '398.319', 'text': 'people coming in. We end up scurly in'}, {'start': '394.680', 'end': '402.880', 'text': 'the tight position to save room for the'}, {'start': '398.319', 'end': '404.440', 'text': 'next people coming in. And um at that'}, {'start': '402.880', 'end': '408.560', 'text': 'time I'}, {'start': '404.440', 'end': '413.039', 'text': 'realized it not an easy trip at all. And'}, {'start': '408.560', 'end': '417.600', 'text': 'so the boat finally be able to get up'}, {'start': '413.039', 'end': '420.319', 'text': 'the the harbor is about 5:30, not 4:30'}, {'start': '417.600', 'end': '423.720', 'text': "like we thought we' be able to get out."}, {'start': '420.319', 'end': '428.880', 'text': 'And so'}, {'start': '423.720', 'end': '431.520', 'text': 'the the water is quite calm on that day.'}, {'start': '428.880', 'end': '434.680', 'text': 'But we know the Saigon River had a'}, {'start': '431.520', 'end': '437.599', 'text': 'narrow sections'}, {'start': '434.680', 'end': '441.120', 'text': 'and people who control the bus already'}, {'start': '437.599', 'end': '445.840', 'text': 'know the communist position themsel'}, {'start': '441.120', 'end': '448.720', 'text': 'um along that narrow. So they order all'}, {'start': '445.840', 'end': '451.440', 'text': 'women and children go down and the men'}, {'start': '448.720', 'end': '454.360', 'text': "stand up in the front and I didn't want"}, {'start': '451.440', 'end': '456.520', 'text': 'to go down. I want to stay with my'}, {'start': '454.360', 'end': '460.199', 'text': 'father. And'}, {'start': '456.520', 'end': '463.199', 'text': 'they increase the speed to the full'}, {'start': '460.199', 'end': '466.319', 'text': 'speed. And at that time we heard the'}, {'start': '463.199', 'end': '469.039', 'text': 'rockets shoot again because our boats'}, {'start': '466.319', 'end': '472.000', 'text': 'are not that big. So we be able to'}, {'start': '469.039', 'end': '476.240', 'text': 'maneuvers and not got hit. But the big'}, {'start': '472.000', 'end': '479.440', 'text': 'the big boat behind they got hit. Um and'}, {'start': '476.240', 'end': '482.639', 'text': 'we see the hall of the boats is had a'}, {'start': '479.440', 'end': '484.800', 'text': 'big hole on that. And so when we go out'}, {'start': '482.639', 'end': '486.960', 'text': "to international water, they're not far"}, {'start': '484.800', 'end': '489.680', 'text': 'behind us at all. So we can see the'}, {'start': '486.960', 'end': '492.360', 'text': 'whole thing and we saw them begin'}, {'start': '489.680', 'end': '496.000', 'text': 'lowering the body down into the'}, {'start': '492.360', 'end': '498.400', 'text': 'water. And um we supposed to go to the'}, {'start': '496.000', 'end': '501.840', 'text': 'carriers and hopefully the carrier will'}, {'start': '498.400', 'end': '504.639', 'text': 'pick us up. But when we go out to the'}, {'start': '501.840', 'end': '506.960', 'text': 'carriers, we considering my boats, we'}, {'start': '504.639', 'end': '510.000', 'text': 'are the lucky one. My boats a lot bigger'}, {'start': '506.960', 'end': '513.440', 'text': 'than the other. Some of them had the the'}, {'start': '510.000', 'end': '515.440', 'text': "boat like 8 ft. I don't know how they be"}, {'start': '513.440', 'end': '518.479', 'text': 'able to get that far but they got'}, {'start': '515.440', 'end': '522.479', 'text': 'rescued into the carrier and we got the'}, {'start': '518.479', 'end': '524.720', 'text': 'order we should go to Taiwan and so we'}, {'start': '522.479', 'end': '527.600', 'text': 'head to Taiwan a couple day later on we'}, {'start': '524.720', 'end': '529.839', 'text': 'arrive in Taiwan and Taiwan not welcome'}, {'start': '527.600', 'end': '531.519', 'text': 'refugee and I understand because they'}, {'start': '529.839', 'end': '535.040', 'text': "are island they don't have room for"}, {'start': '531.519', 'end': '538.560', 'text': 'refugee at that time but they not really'}, {'start': '535.040', 'end': '541.519', 'text': 'welcoming we got shoot at at harbor at'}, {'start': '538.560', 'end': '545.120', 'text': 'Taiwan and they they pull us out they'}, {'start': '541.519', 'end': '548.080', 'text': 'pull us house and they said, "Okay, now'}, {'start': '545.120', 'end': '548.760', 'text': 'either we go to Maslagasias or we go to'}, {'start': '548.080', 'end': '552.200', 'text': 'the'}, {'start': '548.760', 'end': '555.040', 'text': 'Philippine but by the time beyond'}, {'start': '552.200', 'end': '559.560', 'text': "Taiwan, we didn't know what direction"}, {'start': '555.040', 'end': '563.920', 'text': "we're supposed to go and so we just go"}, {'start': '559.560', 'end': '568.000', 'text': 'and sick day on the trip. The field run'}, {'start': '563.920', 'end': '570.399', 'text': 'very very low. The water is no existing'}, {'start': '568.000', 'end': '573.680', 'text': 'because we have to drink the water to'}, {'start': '570.399', 'end': '576.160', 'text': 'cool the engines and so the diesel'}, {'start': '573.680', 'end': '579.920', 'text': 'engines and so you drink that water. I'}, {'start': '576.160', 'end': '581.760', 'text': 'can still smell that until today and the'}, {'start': '579.920', 'end': '584.720', 'text': 'food is running out. You know the'}, {'start': '581.760', 'end': '587.240', 'text': 'dehydration rice and condensed milks and'}, {'start': '584.720', 'end': '590.000', 'text': 'the other thing is not there'}, {'start': '587.240', 'end': '592.320', 'text': 'anymore. We really really desperate at'}, {'start': '590.000', 'end': '595.760', 'text': 'that time. People begin talking about'}, {'start': '592.320', 'end': '598.240', 'text': 'should we return back to Vietnam, but'}, {'start': '595.760', 'end': '601.120', 'text': "people said we don't get fuel. How can"}, {'start': '598.240', 'end': '603.600', 'text': 'we come back? And so we just circle'}, {'start': '601.120', 'end': '605.640', 'text': "around because you know you don't have"}, {'start': '603.600', 'end': '609.279', 'text': 'the fuel to control your boats'}, {'start': '605.640', 'end': '613.120', 'text': 'anymore. And the storm came, it pounding'}, {'start': '609.279', 'end': '616.360', 'text': 'on us for the day and half and we be'}, {'start': '613.120', 'end': '620.079', 'text': 'able to collect the water and'}, {'start': '616.360', 'end': '622.640', 'text': "that's help us to survive. You had no"}, {'start': '620.079', 'end': '626.000', 'text': 'food, you can survive seven day later,'}, {'start': '622.640', 'end': '628.320', 'text': 'you had no water. And with the hot sun'}, {'start': '626.000', 'end': '631.440', 'text': 'in the Pacific Ocean, we probably last'}, {'start': '628.320', 'end': '635.519', 'text': 'about 40 48 hour the most. But that'}, {'start': '631.440', 'end': '638.160', 'text': 'water is helping us to survive. Then we'}, {'start': '635.519', 'end': '641.680', 'text': 'heard the sound of the helic helicopter'}, {'start': '638.160', 'end': '644.240', 'text': 'got closer and closer and closer and'}, {'start': '641.680', 'end': '646.320', 'text': 'they circle around the boat and'}, {'start': '644.240', 'end': '649.760', 'text': 'everybody happy, but they circle and'}, {'start': '646.320', 'end': '654.079', 'text': 'they took off. And now we worries, oh my'}, {'start': '649.760', 'end': '656.160', 'text': 'god, you know where we go. Then about 2'}, {'start': '654.079', 'end': '660.399', 'text': 'hours later on, we heard the helicopter'}, {'start': '656.160', 'end': '665.880', 'text': 'sound back again. And this time they had'}, {'start': '660.399', 'end': '669.200', 'text': 'the um flexible ladder and three'}, {'start': '665.880', 'end': '671.480', 'text': 'Americans gentlemen in full uniform come'}, {'start': '669.200', 'end': '674.240', 'text': 'down and accessing the situation the'}, {'start': '671.480', 'end': '678.079', 'text': 'boat and they know the engine is still'}, {'start': '674.240', 'end': '680.880', 'text': 'good. So they told us stay put right'}, {'start': '678.079', 'end': '684.000', 'text': 'there and an hour and a half later on'}, {'start': '680.880', 'end': '687.839', 'text': 'the Navy boat couple up with our boat'}, {'start': '684.000', 'end': '691.279', 'text': 'and so they pump fill they pump water'}, {'start': '687.839', 'end': '694.160', 'text': 'for us and they gave us food in the can'}, {'start': '691.279', 'end': '696.880', 'text': 'and like cracker and the other thing and'}, {'start': '694.160', 'end': '700.480', 'text': "that's great thing but give us the"}, {'start': '696.880', 'end': '700.480', 'text': 'canned food but no can'}, {'start': '700.600', 'end': '706.640', 'text': 'opener very very simple detail and that'}, {'start': '704.079', 'end': '709.600', 'text': "we're missing on that fact and so we"}, {'start': '706.640', 'end': '712.640', 'text': 'just you all the sharp object we have it'}, {'start': '709.600', 'end': '715.360', 'text': 'in hand and open the can and get food so'}, {'start': '712.640', 'end': '717.760', 'text': 'we survive and two day later on we got'}, {'start': '715.360', 'end': '721.600', 'text': 'to the sub bay they charge the courts'}, {'start': '717.760', 'end': '724.320', 'text': 'and we managed to get into the sub bay'}, {'start': '721.600', 'end': '726.320', 'text': 'about 3:30 in the afternoons I remember'}, {'start': '724.320', 'end': '729.040', 'text': 'really well you know all of a sudden you'}, {'start': '726.320', 'end': '731.480', 'text': 'feel so much better you feel you know'}, {'start': '729.040', 'end': '735.040', 'text': "you're no longer sick you're no longer"}, {'start': '731.480', 'end': '738.880', 'text': 'sad you think you see hope there at'}, {'start': '735.040', 'end': '743.040', 'text': 'least people, you know, get to you and'}, {'start': '738.880', 'end': '746.000', 'text': 'rescue you and by the time the boat come'}, {'start': '743.040', 'end': '748.720', 'text': 'in with the Navy boat, we had to clam'}, {'start': '746.000', 'end': '753.360', 'text': 'over that Navy boat to get out and'}, {'start': '748.720', 'end': '756.000', 'text': 'landed on the ground. And the first'}, {'start': '753.360', 'end': '759.160', 'text': 'thing I receive when I rise in Subi Bay'}, {'start': '756.000', 'end': '763.760', 'text': 'is the bologn sandwiches and the Dr.'}, {'start': '759.160', 'end': '765.839', 'text': 'Pepper. So I I was so hungry. I think'}, {'start': '763.760', 'end': '768.000', 'text': 'probably three bite. I swallow the whole'}, {'start': '765.839', 'end': '771.120', 'text': 'Bologanese sandwiches. I still taste'}, {'start': '768.000', 'end': '773.279', 'text': 'that sandwiches today. And the Dr.'}, {'start': '771.120', 'end': '776.639', 'text': 'Pepper. I never had Dr. Pepper in my'}, {'start': '773.279', 'end': '779.360', 'text': 'life. I open the can of Dr. Pepper cold'}, {'start': '776.639', 'end': '783.120', 'text': 'and you thirsty. Oh my god, the taste it'}, {'start': '779.360', 'end': '786.399', 'text': 'tastes horrible. And I never touch Dr.'}, {'start': '783.120', 'end': '788.320', 'text': 'Pepper in the last 50 years. And from'}, {'start': '786.399', 'end': '791.800', 'text': 'there it very very quickly because the'}, {'start': '788.320', 'end': '795.440', 'text': 'document my father had they uh'}, {'start': '791.800', 'end': '797.760', 'text': 'colorcoded the refugee arrive sub Bay.'}, {'start': '795.440', 'end': '800.800', 'text': 'So you had the blue band, you had yellow'}, {'start': '797.760', 'end': '804.240', 'text': 'band and you had the red band because my'}, {'start': '800.800', 'end': '805.800', 'text': 'father had the ID plus all the documents'}, {'start': '804.240', 'end': '810.079', 'text': 'from the United'}, {'start': '805.800', 'end': '814.240', 'text': 'States. We got the blue band and within'}, {'start': '810.079', 'end': '816.959', 'text': '30 minutes the um airport bus they kind'}, {'start': '814.240', 'end': '819.120', 'text': 'of coffee cream color bus and they just'}, {'start': '816.959', 'end': '821.040', 'text': "said load us up. We didn't know where we"}, {'start': '819.120', 'end': '824.000', 'text': 'go but we just follow the order because'}, {'start': '821.040', 'end': '825.920', 'text': 'my father who the career officer said'}, {'start': '824.000', 'end': '829.360', 'text': 'you need to follow the order and you'}, {'start': '825.920', 'end': '832.320', 'text': 'will survive and he truly correct on'}, {'start': '829.360', 'end': '836.720', 'text': 'that part. So we said load up in the bus'}, {'start': '832.320', 'end': '839.680', 'text': 'and they roll up to the airports and all'}, {'start': '836.720', 'end': '842.160', 'text': 'the airplane is military airplane. You'}, {'start': '839.680', 'end': '845.040', 'text': "don't see any civilian airplane in that"}, {'start': '842.160', 'end': '847.839', 'text': 'airport at the Subi Bay at all. So we'}, {'start': '845.040', 'end': '850.480', 'text': 'got into the plane and all of a sudden'}, {'start': '847.839', 'end': '853.680', 'text': 'we look inside. I look inside of the'}, {'start': '850.480', 'end': '856.399', 'text': 'plane. I said, "Oh my god, I don\'t'}, {'start': '853.680', 'end': '859.120', 'text': 'remember I ever fly the plane like'}, {'start': '856.399', 'end': '862.079', 'text': 'that." because they had a rope from the'}, {'start': '859.120', 'end': '864.480', 'text': 'front to the back of the airplane and'}, {'start': '862.079', 'end': '865.800', 'text': 'you just hold tight on that for takeoff'}, {'start': '864.480', 'end': '871.279', 'text': 'and'}, {'start': '865.800', 'end': '874.079', 'text': 'landing and no bathroom at all. And so'}, {'start': '871.279', 'end': '876.800', 'text': 'in the dark here we go and nobody'}, {'start': '874.079', 'end': '879.120', 'text': 'telling us your destination will be a'}, {'start': '876.800', 'end': '882.240', 'text': 'warm island. But we said no because we'}, {'start': '879.120', 'end': '884.720', 'text': 'see American personnel around they very'}, {'start': '882.240', 'end': '887.760', 'text': 'nice they very tented to the refugee.'}, {'start': '884.720', 'end': '890.560', 'text': 'They sympathize for us with the, you'}, {'start': '887.760', 'end': '894.480', 'text': 'know, the hardship we had to go through.'}, {'start': '890.560', 'end': '898.360', 'text': 'And we flew and flew and flew and all of'}, {'start': '894.480', 'end': '902.320', 'text': 'a sudden the plane slowed down and'}, {'start': '898.360', 'end': '904.320', 'text': 'landed at the airports in war. And here'}, {'start': '902.320', 'end': '909.240', 'text': 'the bus come and pick us up again and'}, {'start': '904.320', 'end': '913.120', 'text': 'loaded up. Then bring us to the tent'}, {'start': '909.240', 'end': '916.000', 'text': 'city. You will see tens as far as you'}, {'start': '913.120', 'end': '920.120', 'text': 'can see. And the airplane continued'}, {'start': '916.000', 'end': '923.760', 'text': 'landing, continued landing after me.'}, {'start': '920.120', 'end': '926.240', 'text': 'Several planes coming in and they opened'}, {'start': '923.760', 'end': '930.160', 'text': 'the back of the plane. People just walk'}, {'start': '926.240', 'end': '933.600', 'text': 'out, hundreds of people at a time. So we'}, {'start': '930.160', 'end': '935.160', 'text': 'got to the 10 city and we had to go'}, {'start': '933.600', 'end': '939.040', 'text': 'through it'}, {'start': '935.160', 'end': '942.240', 'text': 'probably 11 or 12:00 at night and they'}, {'start': '939.040', 'end': '946.240', 'text': 'said we had to get vaccinated.'}, {'start': '942.240', 'end': '948.880', 'text': "I didn't know what the vaccine what"}, {'start': '946.240', 'end': '951.199', 'text': 'vaccine I received on that night and you'}, {'start': '948.880', 'end': '953.360', 'text': 'know we had no privacy or anything. They'}, {'start': '951.199', 'end': '956.160', 'text': 'just tell you take off your shirt and'}, {'start': '953.360', 'end': '958.720', 'text': 'you walk between the two long table and'}, {'start': '956.160', 'end': '961.759', 'text': "they shut on both arm and once you're"}, {'start': '958.720', 'end': '963.759', 'text': 'done with that they gave you the pillow'}, {'start': '961.759', 'end': '965.600', 'text': 'and the blanket. You put your hand out'}, {'start': '963.759', 'end': '968.880', 'text': 'and they put it on your hand and they'}, {'start': '965.600', 'end': '972.000', 'text': 'size ass size you the number of the 10.'}, {'start': '968.880', 'end': '974.880', 'text': 'But also they said you know we make soup'}, {'start': '972.000', 'end': '977.040', 'text': 'for your guy eat at night. So follow the'}, {'start': '974.880', 'end': '979.759', 'text': 'light and go to the tent over there you'}, {'start': '977.040', 'end': '984.160', 'text': 'will have soup serving for you. But we'}, {'start': '979.759', 'end': '986.600', 'text': 'were so tired 11 day on the boats. um'}, {'start': '984.160', 'end': '990.880', 'text': 'three hour in Subi'}, {'start': '986.600', 'end': '992.839', 'text': 'Bay, 4 hour and a half flyings and with'}, {'start': '990.880', 'end': '996.720', 'text': 'all the things we go through'}, {'start': '992.839', 'end': '999.519', 'text': 'there, I just decide go to the tent and'}, {'start': '996.720', 'end': '1003.680', 'text': "I drop down on the cart and I don't know"}, {'start': '999.519', 'end': '1007.839', 'text': 'how many hours I sleep until my father'}, {'start': '1003.680', 'end': '1011.680', 'text': 'came and wake us up. And when I open the'}, {'start': '1007.839', 'end': '1014.399', 'text': "tent and look out, I'm not alone."}, {'start': '1011.680', 'end': '1018.320', 'text': 'Thousand and thousand of people like the'}, {'start': '1014.399', 'end': '1021.360', 'text': 'situation like my family and family been'}, {'start': '1018.320', 'end': '1023.880', 'text': 'separate from each other. The children'}, {'start': '1021.360', 'end': '1026.559', 'text': 'got left behind, the husband got left'}, {'start': '1023.880', 'end': '1028.640', 'text': 'behind. All the wife got left behind.'}, {'start': '1026.559', 'end': '1031.280', 'text': 'And I look around. So my mom and dad'}, {'start': '1028.640', 'end': '1033.640', 'text': 'there all my siblings there and my'}, {'start': '1031.280', 'end': '1037.120', 'text': 'grandfather, my grandmother still with'}, {'start': '1033.640', 'end': '1040.120', 'text': 'us. And I said, you know, I am a lucky'}, {'start': '1037.120', 'end': '1040.120', 'text': 'one.'}, {'start': '1040.400', 'end': '1048.840', 'text': 'And from there my trip begin. I stay in'}, {'start': '1044.559', 'end': '1052.799', 'text': "W for seven days and we didn't"}, {'start': '1048.840', 'end': '1056.240', 'text': 'know where is the next destinations. We'}, {'start': '1052.799', 'end': '1057.760', 'text': 'got load up into the bus and bring to'}, {'start': '1056.240', 'end': '1061.679', 'text': "the airport. We didn't have much"}, {'start': '1057.760', 'end': '1064.160', 'text': 'belonging to carry so easy you know. Um,'}, {'start': '1061.679', 'end': '1067.000', 'text': 'so we got there, I got the airports,'}, {'start': '1064.160', 'end': '1070.960', 'text': 'civilian airports,'}, {'start': '1067.000', 'end': '1074.120', 'text': 'and I flew with TWWA that the airlines'}, {'start': '1070.960', 'end': '1076.600', 'text': "no longer exists. It's it's our"}, {'start': '1074.120', 'end': '1080.480', 'text': 'business.'}, {'start': '1076.600', 'end': '1083.440', 'text': 'And when the the plane take off that the'}, {'start': '1080.480', 'end': '1085.240', 'text': 'tide, they said this plane will go to'}, {'start': '1083.440', 'end': '1088.960', 'text': 'fore at'}, {'start': '1085.240', 'end': '1090.880', 'text': 'Canora. And my father got training in'}, {'start': '1088.960', 'end': '1095.320', 'text': 'Oklahoma.'}, {'start': '1090.880', 'end': '1097.960', 'text': 'and he said I know where that state'}, {'start': '1095.320', 'end': '1101.799', 'text': "located but he said that's"}, {'start': '1097.960', 'end': '1107.400', 'text': 'okay we now get closer closer in the'}, {'start': '1101.799', 'end': '1112.360', 'text': 'reality to live a normal life and so'}, {'start': '1107.400', 'end': '1117.720', 'text': 'um we stay we got'}, {'start': '1112.360', 'end': '1121.080', 'text': 'into we got into um uh philosophy'}, {'start': '1117.720', 'end': '1127.160', 'text': 'at in May'}, {'start': '1121.080', 'end': '1130.799', 'text': 'trail and we stay there May, June, July,'}, {'start': '1127.160', 'end': '1133.880', 'text': 'August and the end of August and that we'}, {'start': '1130.799', 'end': '1136.799', 'text': 'got sponsored by the first Lutheran'}, {'start': '1133.880', 'end': '1139.039', 'text': 'church in northern Minnesota the town'}, {'start': '1136.799', 'end': '1142.960', 'text': 'called Brandard Minnesota. I never know'}, {'start': '1139.039', 'end': '1146.600', 'text': 'that how exist or anything. And so um'}, {'start': '1142.960', 'end': '1150.240', 'text': 'after we took the picture and the church'}, {'start': '1146.600', 'end': '1152.080', 'text': 'revealed the background of my family and'}, {'start': '1150.240', 'end': '1153.919', 'text': 'they agreed that the family they want'}, {'start': '1152.080', 'end': '1159.120', 'text': "sponsor so we'll be able to get out of"}, {'start': '1153.919', 'end': '1162.520', 'text': 'the camp. So we took the airplane from'}, {'start': '1159.120', 'end': '1166.400', 'text': 'Arkansas to Minneapolis and from'}, {'start': '1162.520', 'end': '1168.120', 'text': 'Minneapolis we take the commuter plane'}, {'start': '1166.400', 'end': '1170.480', 'text': 'to Brand'}, {'start': '1168.120', 'end': '1173.440', 'text': 'Minnesota and the weather is already'}, {'start': '1170.480', 'end': '1176.559', 'text': "cold back then. I'm grow up with the"}, {'start': '1173.440', 'end': '1178.880', 'text': 'temp every temperature 83°ree every day.'}, {'start': '1176.559', 'end': '1182.799', 'text': 'I got there the temperature is already'}, {'start': '1178.880', 'end': '1185.280', 'text': '40 50 in the evenings and I had no shoe'}, {'start': '1182.799', 'end': '1188.240', 'text': 'at that time. the tender shoes is it'}, {'start': '1185.280', 'end': '1190.720', 'text': 'broken and they gave some sandal for us'}, {'start': '1188.240', 'end': '1193.440', 'text': "in the camp. So that's all I had. I had"}, {'start': '1190.720', 'end': '1196.640', 'text': 'no winter clothes or even warm coat at'}, {'start': '1193.440', 'end': '1199.200', 'text': 'all. And I remember the church church'}, {'start': '1196.640', 'end': '1202.240', 'text': 'member came out with blanket. So they go'}, {'start': '1199.200', 'end': '1204.520', 'text': 'over us and they take us into the car'}, {'start': '1202.240', 'end': '1208.320', 'text': 'and they roll us to the church, Lutheran'}, {'start': '1204.520', 'end': '1211.440', 'text': 'church. Um and they had the big potluck'}, {'start': '1208.320', 'end': '1214.840', 'text': 'for us and a lot of food I never eat'}, {'start': '1211.440', 'end': '1218.039', 'text': 'before. I never eat macaroni and'}, {'start': '1214.840', 'end': '1224.640', 'text': 'chi. I never eat potato'}, {'start': '1218.039', 'end': '1226.880', 'text': 'salad. Um I never eat, you know, chi and'}, {'start': '1224.640', 'end': '1229.840', 'text': 'finger food and everything because we'}, {'start': '1226.880', 'end': '1233.440', 'text': 'pretty much eat a lot of vegetable and'}, {'start': '1229.840', 'end': '1236.640', 'text': 'fruits and you know rice and small'}, {'start': '1233.440', 'end': '1240.840', 'text': 'portion of of meat and here we eat all'}, {'start': '1236.640', 'end': '1243.480', 'text': 'the food. I never know. And but I said,'}, {'start': '1240.840', 'end': '1246.480', 'text': '"Hey, this is just the'}, {'start': '1243.480', 'end': '1249.200', 'text': 'beginning." And I just grateful for the'}, {'start': '1246.480', 'end': '1252.520', 'text': 'welcoming, for the caring the people'}, {'start': '1249.200', 'end': '1258.440', 'text': 'from the church have it for my family.'}, {'start': '1252.520', 'end': '1262.120', 'text': 'Um and uh they brought us to the house'}, {'start': '1258.440', 'end': '1266.400', 'text': 'and supposedly they divide my family to'}, {'start': '1262.120', 'end': '1269.720', 'text': 'two and they rent two house. But when my'}, {'start': '1266.400', 'end': '1274.200', 'text': 'father came and look at the house at'}, {'start': '1269.720', 'end': '1277.840', 'text': '70702 Oak Street in Brenard,'}, {'start': '1274.200', 'end': '1281.039', 'text': 'Minnesota, he said, "Hey, we can manage.'}, {'start': '1277.840', 'end': '1283.120', 'text': 'All of us can live in three bedroom and'}, {'start': '1281.039', 'end': '1287.039', 'text': 'we can sleep on the floor." And I told'}, {'start': '1283.120', 'end': '1290.039', 'text': 'my dad, "Hey, 11 day on the boats and'}, {'start': '1287.039', 'end': '1293.840', 'text': 'you know, seven day in the camps'}, {'start': '1290.039', 'end': '1296.240', 'text': 'and three month and fore Arkansas'}, {'start': '1293.840', 'end': '1298.000', 'text': 'military camp. I think I can manage. I'}, {'start': '1296.240', 'end': '1301.200', 'text': 'can throw the blanket in the corner of'}, {'start': '1298.000', 'end': '1304.080', 'text': 'the house and that my room and so we'}, {'start': '1301.200', 'end': '1307.600', 'text': 'live there and later on I found out that'}, {'start': '1304.080', 'end': '1310.880', 'text': 'house is abandoned house and the church'}, {'start': '1307.600', 'end': '1314.159', 'text': 'somehow rented and they mobilized church'}, {'start': '1310.880', 'end': '1316.320', 'text': 'member to fix up the house and painted'}, {'start': '1314.159', 'end': '1320.880', 'text': 'and everything else from my family to'}, {'start': '1316.320', 'end': '1324.799', 'text': 'live upon there. And um the J coming'}, {'start': '1320.880', 'end': '1327.840', 'text': 'back the next day take us do the grocery'}, {'start': '1324.799', 'end': '1333.440', 'text': 'um show us you know what we supposed to'}, {'start': '1327.840', 'end': '1335.679', 'text': 'do the safety also been run to my father'}, {'start': '1333.440', 'end': '1337.200', 'text': 'and the older children so they knows and'}, {'start': '1335.679', 'end': '1339.440', 'text': 'you know do not open the door if you'}, {'start': '1337.200', 'end': '1342.400', 'text': "don't know the person and thing like"}, {'start': '1339.440', 'end': '1346.480', 'text': 'that and um they come back the next day'}, {'start': '1342.400', 'end': '1348.760', 'text': 'begin children in school elementary mess'}, {'start': '1346.480', 'end': '1353.360', 'text': 'and high school'}, {'start': '1348.760', 'end': '1358.480', 'text': 'And because I owe enough and we'}, {'start': '1353.360', 'end': '1360.320', 'text': 'determine we not using any uh support'}, {'start': '1358.480', 'end': '1364.320', 'text': 'system from the government because my'}, {'start': '1360.320', 'end': '1367.039', 'text': 'dad make clear. So all the kids 17 years'}, {'start': '1364.320', 'end': '1369.760', 'text': 'old and up, the church get us jobs and'}, {'start': '1367.039', 'end': '1373.679', 'text': 'we go to work and my father go to work.'}, {'start': '1369.760', 'end': '1377.440', 'text': 'So two week before we arrive, four of us'}, {'start': '1373.679', 'end': '1381.520', 'text': 'get jobs and we pay our own rent, we pay'}, {'start': '1377.440', 'end': '1384.880', 'text': 'our own food and a year later on with'}, {'start': '1381.520', 'end': '1387.640', 'text': 'all the money we pull it togethers we be'}, {'start': '1384.880', 'end': '1392.120', 'text': 'able to buy a brand new'}, {'start': '1387.640', 'end': '1394.880', 'text': 'LTD4 car, brand new ship from'}, {'start': '1392.120', 'end': '1398.559', 'text': 'Minneapolis. Uh also the chuck gears the'}, {'start': '1394.880', 'end': '1400.679', 'text': 'station Wagon. So we had two vehicle and'}, {'start': '1398.559', 'end': '1403.840', 'text': 'we fully'}, {'start': '1400.679', 'end': '1405.679', 'text': 'independent and at that time so we take'}, {'start': '1403.840', 'end': '1407.600', 'text': 'turn and my brother will go to'}, {'start': '1405.679', 'end': '1411.120', 'text': 'university of Minnesota. So that two of'}, {'start': '1407.600', 'end': '1412.880', 'text': 'my brother one go into me mechanical'}, {'start': '1411.120', 'end': '1415.320', 'text': 'engineering and the other one go to'}, {'start': '1412.880', 'end': '1418.799', 'text': 'chemical engineering'}, {'start': '1415.320', 'end': '1421.440', 'text': 'and the other sister of mine the one'}, {'start': '1418.799', 'end': '1425.200', 'text': 'little bit older than me went to school'}, {'start': '1421.440', 'end': '1428.159', 'text': 'to get the LPA degree. And so when she'}, {'start': '1425.200', 'end': '1431.280', 'text': 'done with that my turn go to college.'}, {'start': '1428.159', 'end': '1434.520', 'text': 'And so I wrote my personal story and'}, {'start': '1431.280', 'end': '1437.520', 'text': 'unknown to me I had you know the the'}, {'start': '1434.520', 'end': '1440.559', 'text': 'mentor helped me to put my application'}, {'start': '1437.520', 'end': '1443.720', 'text': 'my personal story and so I applied with'}, {'start': '1440.559', 'end': '1446.360', 'text': 'University of Minnesota. I got full ride'}, {'start': '1443.720', 'end': '1448.720', 'text': 'scholarship to go to University of'}, {'start': '1446.360', 'end': '1451.600', 'text': 'Minnesota and how did you finally end up'}, {'start': '1448.720', 'end': '1455.679', 'text': "in Washington? So that's the story. My"}, {'start': '1451.600', 'end': '1457.600', 'text': 'brother after he finished uh college uh'}, {'start': '1455.679', 'end': '1461.440', 'text': 'mechanical engineering and master degree'}, {'start': '1457.600', 'end': '1464.159', 'text': 'after that and he got job offer Boeing'}, {'start': '1461.440', 'end': '1467.039', 'text': 'and so he moved out Boeing and my'}, {'start': '1464.159', 'end': '1470.640', 'text': 'parents tradition is move with the'}, {'start': '1467.039', 'end': '1474.240', 'text': 'oldest son and so my parents and the the'}, {'start': '1470.640', 'end': '1479.120', 'text': 'kid who not married will follow out and'}, {'start': '1474.240', 'end': '1484.039', 'text': 'so that what I moved from Minneapolis to'}, {'start': '1479.120', 'end': '1484.039', 'text': 'um Washington on 1985.'}, {'start': '1484.880', 'end': '1489.720', 'text': 'Um, how did you get involved with this'}, {'start': '1486.799', 'end': '1493.679', 'text': 'organization? So, you know, during the'}, {'start': '1489.720', 'end': '1495.080', 'text': 'ties, you know, I did not get a job, so'}, {'start': '1493.679', 'end': '1499.039', 'text': 'I just'}, {'start': '1495.080', 'end': '1502.799', 'text': 'volunteer. I had the the the weird thing'}, {'start': '1499.039', 'end': '1505.840', 'text': 'about myself is, you know, I had the'}, {'start': '1502.799', 'end': '1508.960', 'text': 'urge to to help the other either I got'}, {'start': '1505.840', 'end': '1510.640', 'text': "paid or I don't get paid. So at back"}, {'start': '1508.960', 'end': '1513.120', 'text': "then you don't have the internet to"}, {'start': '1510.640', 'end': '1515.760', 'text': 'search or anything at all. I just call'}, {'start': '1513.120', 'end': '1518.520', 'text': 'and I found out every community college'}, {'start': '1515.760', 'end': '1522.000', 'text': 'had a program helping the'}, {'start': '1518.520', 'end': '1524.400', 'text': 'refugee. So I call I said can I come and'}, {'start': '1522.000', 'end': '1527.039', 'text': 'help out and I said I never find job for'}, {'start': '1524.400', 'end': '1528.679', 'text': 'anybody at all in my life except myself'}, {'start': '1527.039', 'end': '1532.159', 'text': 'and you know my'}, {'start': '1528.679', 'end': '1534.480', 'text': 'sibling. Um but I want to volunteer and'}, {'start': '1532.159', 'end': '1537.919', 'text': 'I had a car. I told them I had a car. I'}, {'start': '1534.480', 'end': '1540.640', 'text': 'had a Honda Accord at that time. So they'}, {'start': '1537.919', 'end': '1543.400', 'text': 'show me where every community college'}, {'start': '1540.640', 'end': '1546.559', 'text': "located. We don't have the GPS and"}, {'start': '1543.400', 'end': '1548.880', 'text': 'nothing. So I just asked them to know'}, {'start': '1546.559', 'end': '1553.919', 'text': 'how to get there. So they show me the'}, {'start': '1548.880', 'end': '1556.640', 'text': 'way and I end up to help out and when'}, {'start': '1553.919', 'end': '1560.320', 'text': 'they had a job developer position open,'}, {'start': '1556.640', 'end': '1563.440', 'text': 'people encouraged me to uh apply for the'}, {'start': '1560.320', 'end': '1565.760', 'text': 'job and I told them I said hey you know'}, {'start': '1563.440', 'end': '1567.760', 'text': 'I trained at a biochemist and I work at'}, {'start': '1565.760', 'end': '1570.400', 'text': 'a biochemist. I just want to do'}, {'start': '1567.760', 'end': '1572.799', 'text': "volunteer because I'm looking for work"}, {'start': '1570.400', 'end': '1574.480', 'text': 'and return back to my field. And they'}, {'start': '1572.799', 'end': '1576.360', 'text': 'said, "No, no, no, no. You should apply'}, {'start': '1574.480', 'end': '1578.960', 'text': 'for job'}, {'start': '1576.360', 'end': '1580.960', 'text': 'developer." So I apply and I said,'}, {'start': '1578.960', 'end': '1583.760', 'text': '"Well, nobody hiring me on this job'}, {'start': '1580.960', 'end': '1585.919', 'text': 'anyway." And my brother make the remark,'}, {'start': '1583.760', 'end': '1588.720', 'text': 'well, you know, whoever get you the job,'}, {'start': '1585.919', 'end': '1591.039', 'text': 'they probably crazy and they had need to'}, {'start': '1588.720', 'end': '1594.000', 'text': 'be accurate and see, you know, why they'}, {'start': '1591.039', 'end': '1597.120', 'text': 'encourage you to go to social services.'}, {'start': '1594.000', 'end': '1599.039', 'text': 'And so I applied and they called me the'}, {'start': '1597.120', 'end': '1602.320', 'text': 'next day and said, you know, we offer'}, {'start': '1599.039', 'end': '1607.159', 'text': 'you a job. How long ago was that? Pardon'}, {'start': '1602.320', 'end': '1611.120', 'text': 'me. How long ago was that? Uh that is my'}, {'start': '1607.159', 'end': '1611.120', 'text': 'god, I'}, {'start': '1611.159', 'end': '1617.840', 'text': 'think 38 years'}, {'start': '1614.039', 'end': '1619.480', 'text': 'ago at the job. Yeah, 38 years ago. I'}, {'start': '1617.840', 'end': '1622.159', 'text': 'begin with the job'}, {'start': '1619.480', 'end': '1624.640', 'text': "developers and I didn't know the company"}, {'start': '1622.159', 'end': '1626.640', 'text': "in this area. I didn't know the road"}, {'start': '1624.640', 'end': '1630.480', 'text': 'really well at all because I was here'}, {'start': '1626.640', 'end': '1633.520', 'text': "for two weeks that's all. And when I got"}, {'start': '1630.480', 'end': '1635.760', 'text': 'the job and I begin worry so I went to'}, {'start': '1633.520', 'end': '1639.880', 'text': 'the library ever library and the'}, {'start': '1635.760', 'end': '1643.200', 'text': 'librarian told me here the books of the'}, {'start': '1639.880', 'end': '1646.320', 'text': 'company and so I focus on the company'}, {'start': '1643.200', 'end': '1649.360', 'text': '100 employee or less and so I just'}, {'start': '1646.320', 'end': '1652.720', 'text': 'target them. I do the co call and I do'}, {'start': '1649.360', 'end': '1655.120', 'text': 'the Thomas guy to get out the company. I'}, {'start': '1652.720', 'end': '1656.799', 'text': 'deliver de develop so much job at the'}, {'start': '1655.120', 'end': '1660.799', 'text': "point I didn't have enough people to"}, {'start': '1656.799', 'end': '1663.480', 'text': 'fill for all the position I develop. I'}, {'start': '1660.799', 'end': '1667.120', 'text': 'had to give my job away to the other'}, {'start': '1663.480', 'end': '1670.880', 'text': 'organization provides similar services'}, {'start': '1667.120', 'end': '1674.240', 'text': 'like this agency provides services for.'}, {'start': '1670.880', 'end': '1679.039', 'text': 'Then 1991 the position of executive'}, {'start': '1674.240', 'end': '1683.480', 'text': 'directors open and I decide to compete'}, {'start': '1679.039', 'end': '1687.600', 'text': 'for it. I compete with the other 30'}, {'start': '1683.480', 'end': '1691.960', 'text': 'candidates and the agency that high two'}, {'start': '1687.600', 'end': '1696.320', 'text': 'program only and right now we have 26'}, {'start': '1691.960', 'end': '1699.679', 'text': 'program and we cover gadget Watkam Sanan'}, {'start': '1696.320', 'end': '1702.080', 'text': 'Island and Snow County.'}, {'start': '1699.679', 'end': '1705.120', 'text': 'We open the door for all refugee,'}, {'start': '1702.080', 'end': '1709.640', 'text': 'immigrant, asyl temporary protective'}, {'start': '1705.120', 'end': '1712.799', 'text': "status. We don't say no to anyone at"}, {'start': '1709.640', 'end': '1715.760', 'text': 'all. Everybody come here, they will get'}, {'start': '1712.799', 'end': '1717.399', 'text': 'the services. We treat people with'}, {'start': '1715.760', 'end': '1720.640', 'text': 'dignity and'}, {'start': '1717.399', 'end': '1723.520', 'text': 'respect. And at the refugee myself, I'}, {'start': '1720.640', 'end': '1726.159', 'text': 'had to jump in through all the hoop. And'}, {'start': '1723.520', 'end': '1729.279', 'text': 'I transfer that skill to helping the'}, {'start': '1726.159', 'end': '1731.960', 'text': 'others. I make sure they were success'}, {'start': '1729.279', 'end': '1733.799', 'text': 'just like I'}, {'start': '1731.960', 'end': '1738.799', 'text': 'do'}, {'start': '1733.799', 'end': '1742.640', 'text': 'because you know we we came here and we'}, {'start': '1738.799', 'end': '1744.120', 'text': 'end up to woven in the fabrics of the'}, {'start': '1742.640', 'end': '1748.720', 'text': 'community. We'}, {'start': '1744.120', 'end': '1750.559', 'text': 'contribute more than we taken. And so,'}, {'start': '1748.720', 'end': '1754.480', 'text': 'you know, just looking around the'}, {'start': '1750.559', 'end': '1758.039', 'text': 'Vietnamese refugee for 50 years, you see'}, {'start': '1754.480', 'end': '1761.799', 'text': 'them running the business, running for'}, {'start': '1758.039', 'end': '1765.039', 'text': 'office, graduate from college, advant'}, {'start': '1761.799', 'end': '1768.640', 'text': 'degree, buying home, paying tax and so'}, {'start': '1765.039', 'end': '1772.559', 'text': 'on and so forth. And in our country, the'}, {'start': '1768.640', 'end': '1775.520', 'text': 'country built by immigrant. And I always'}, {'start': '1772.559', 'end': '1777.360', 'text': 'thinking, okay, you the one come first,'}, {'start': '1775.520', 'end': '1780.080', 'text': 'you will lend the hand for the one come'}, {'start': '1777.360', 'end': '1783.600', 'text': 'after you and the one after you land the'}, {'start': '1780.080', 'end': '1786.559', 'text': 'hand for the next one. And that what I'}, {'start': '1783.600', 'end': '1789.600', 'text': 'always think our country and still quite'}, {'start': '1786.559', 'end': '1791.919', 'text': 'true up until today even though we had'}, {'start': '1789.600', 'end': '1794.399', 'text': 'to go through some tough time right now,'}, {'start': '1791.919', 'end': '1799.080', 'text': "but it's still true. People still lend a"}, {'start': '1794.399', 'end': '1799.080', 'text': 'hand for the next newcomer.'}, {'start': '1799.279', 'end': '1804.679', 'text': 'What?'}, {'start': '1801.399', 'end': '1807.240', 'text': "Um, that's an amazing story."}, {'start': '1804.679', 'end': '1809.600', 'text': 'Uh, would you change'}, {'start': '1807.240', 'end': '1810.960', 'text': "anything? I mean, you you've landed in a"}, {'start': '1809.600', 'end': '1813.399', 'text': "pretty good spot where you're able to"}, {'start': '1810.960', 'end': '1815.840', 'text': 'help other people.'}, {'start': '1813.399', 'end': '1817.120', 'text': 'Um, is there anything that that that you'}, {'start': '1815.840', 'end': '1818.880', 'text': 'would that you wish was different? Do'}, {'start': '1817.120', 'end': '1820.880', 'text': 'you wish I mean, the war never happened?'}, {'start': '1818.880', 'end': '1824.279', 'text': 'Do you wish you never left Vietnam? Are'}, {'start': '1820.880', 'end': '1827.559', 'text': "are you grateful that you're here? You"}, {'start': '1824.279', 'end': '1832.080', 'text': 'know, I wish the war never'}, {'start': '1827.559', 'end': '1834.320', 'text': 'happened because 65,000 American giving'}, {'start': '1832.080', 'end': '1836.840', 'text': 'up their life for the country. They'}, {'start': '1834.320', 'end': '1839.679', 'text': 'never know. The people they never'}, {'start': '1836.840', 'end': '1842.760', 'text': 'understand the culture is so complicated'}, {'start': '1839.679', 'end': '1846.279', 'text': 'to them. We just talking about'}, {'start': '1842.760', 'end': '1850.000', 'text': 'American side right there. The'}, {'start': '1846.279', 'end': '1853.080', 'text': '65,000 soldier never coming home. But we'}, {'start': '1850.000', 'end': '1856.480', 'text': "don't count the people coming home"}, {'start': '1853.080', 'end': '1860.720', 'text': 'injured, emotional, physical scar. They'}, {'start': '1856.480', 'end': '1863.240', 'text': 'still carry 50 year later. On top of it,'}, {'start': '1860.720', 'end': '1867.200', 'text': 'how many Vietnamese die in the Pacific'}, {'start': '1863.240', 'end': '1869.880', 'text': 'Ocean and how many Vietnamese sent to'}, {'start': '1867.200', 'end': '1873.279', 'text': 'the reeducation camp by the communist'}, {'start': '1869.880', 'end': '1875.880', 'text': 'regime and they die in the camp and the'}, {'start': '1873.279', 'end': '1878.640', 'text': 'one survive and come back and'}, {'start': '1875.880', 'end': '1882.399', 'text': 'eventually we welcome them to this'}, {'start': '1878.640', 'end': '1883.559', 'text': 'country and they broken. So you know'}, {'start': '1882.399', 'end': '1886.480', 'text': 'look at'}, {'start': '1883.559', 'end': '1889.200', 'text': 'back I think you know if if the war'}, {'start': '1886.480', 'end': '1892.559', 'text': "never happened I don't I don't have"}, {'start': '1889.200', 'end': '1896.000', 'text': 'opportunity opportunity to be here'}, {'start': '1892.559', 'end': '1897.880', 'text': 'number one my life probably difference'}, {'start': '1896.000', 'end': '1901.039', 'text': 'you know I will become a'}, {'start': '1897.880', 'end': '1903.960', 'text': 'teacher did physic chemistry and you'}, {'start': '1901.039', 'end': '1907.640', 'text': 'know try to torture my'}, {'start': '1903.960', 'end': '1911.919', 'text': 'student on that sand'}, {'start': '1907.640', 'end': '1913.480', 'text': 'and yes I still continue tradition s the'}, {'start': '1911.919', 'end': '1917.039', 'text': "way I've been brought"}, {'start': '1913.480', 'end': '1920.159', 'text': "up. But you know, you can't change it."}, {'start': '1917.039', 'end': '1925.360', 'text': "Jesus can't change it. So 50 years later"}, {'start': '1920.159', 'end': '1927.880', 'text': "I'm here and I will make the best out"}, {'start': '1925.360', 'end': '1931.480', 'text': 'whatever I have'}, {'start': '1927.880', 'end': '1934.919', 'text': 'um either by my'}, {'start': '1931.480', 'end': '1938.840', 'text': 'knowledge, my partnership with the other'}, {'start': '1934.919', 'end': '1941.840', 'text': 'organizations or my'}, {'start': '1938.840', 'end': '1946.000', 'text': 'efficacy to make sure the people come'}, {'start': '1941.840', 'end': '1948.960', 'text': 'after me had the same opportunity like I'}, {'start': '1946.000', 'end': '1952.559', 'text': 'have to be a successful to be a'}, {'start': '1948.960', 'end': '1955.039', 'text': 'productive citizen in this country. And'}, {'start': '1952.559', 'end': '1957.679', 'text': 'um you know, I had to take I want to'}, {'start': '1955.039', 'end': '1960.679', 'text': 'take this opportunity to let American'}, {'start': '1957.679', 'end': '1964.200', 'text': 'people know I am thankful for'}, {'start': '1960.679', 'end': '1968.000', 'text': "you. Um I'm truly from the bottom of my"}, {'start': '1964.200', 'end': '1970.799', 'text': "heart. You don't know me. You know, I am"}, {'start': '1968.000', 'end': '1972.880', 'text': 'just a stranger to you. You open your'}, {'start': '1970.799', 'end': '1977.360', 'text': 'arm. You open your heart. You open your'}, {'start': '1972.880', 'end': '1980.720', 'text': 'house and help me and help my family and'}, {'start': '1977.360', 'end': '1984.360', 'text': 'all my sibling graduate from University'}, {'start': '1980.720', 'end': '1989.440', 'text': 'of United States of America. We doing'}, {'start': '1984.360', 'end': '1992.480', 'text': 'well. We healthy. We grateful. And I'}, {'start': '1989.440', 'end': '1995.360', 'text': 'think regardless whatever going on in'}, {'start': '1992.480', 'end': '2001.720', 'text': 'our country right now, United States of'}, {'start': '1995.360', 'end': '2001.720', 'text': 'America is still the best place to live.'}, {'start': '2002.240', 'end': '2006.399', 'text': "You see this every day, but h how it's"}, {'start': '2004.720', 'end': '2008.399', 'text': "it's a very different world than it was"}, {'start': '2006.399', 'end': '2012.000', 'text': '50 years ago in terms of immigrants and'}, {'start': '2008.399', 'end': '2014.240', 'text': "refugees in this country. Um they're not"}, {'start': '2012.000', 'end': '2016.880', 'text': 'being welcomed like you were welcomed.'}, {'start': '2014.240', 'end': '2019.440', 'text': 'Um terrible things are happening to'}, {'start': '2016.880', 'end': '2021.760', 'text': 'them. What are your concerns about this'}, {'start': '2019.440', 'end': '2023.600', 'text': 'latest generation of people trying to'}, {'start': '2021.760', 'end': '2025.919', 'text': 'come here and live the the dream that'}, {'start': '2023.600', 'end': '2027.559', 'text': "you've been able to live?"}, {'start': '2025.919', 'end': '2031.200', 'text': 'Well, you'}, {'start': '2027.559', 'end': '2034.240', 'text': 'know, my tie is very very different.'}, {'start': '2031.200', 'end': '2037.679', 'text': "I've been welcomed in this country."}, {'start': '2034.240', 'end': '2040.320', 'text': 'People outpouring support. I met the'}, {'start': '2037.679', 'end': '2044.799', 'text': 'stranger on the street and said, "I\'m'}, {'start': '2040.320', 'end': '2048.159', 'text': 'glad you here." And you say it\'s so much'}, {'start': '2044.799', 'end': '2049.800', 'text': 'different right now. People tell you go'}, {'start': '2048.159', 'end': '2053.599', 'text': 'back to your'}, {'start': '2049.800', 'end': '2057.280', 'text': "country and people telling you you don't"}, {'start': '2053.599', 'end': '2060.639', 'text': 'belong here. people telling you, I will'}, {'start': '2057.280', 'end': '2062.280', 'text': 'call the immigration for on on you'}, {'start': '2060.639', 'end': '2064.280', 'text': 'because you hear'}, {'start': '2062.280', 'end': '2069.480', 'text': 'illegal'}, {'start': '2064.280', 'end': '2073.200', 'text': 'and they just ready to put the people'}, {'start': '2069.480', 'end': '2076.079', 'text': 'down and whatever the people come here'}, {'start': '2073.200', 'end': '2078.879', 'text': 'right now or try to come here in the'}, {'start': '2076.079', 'end': '2081.280', 'text': 'next few years, they carry the scar with'}, {'start': '2078.879', 'end': '2084.800', 'text': "them for the rest of their life. I don't"}, {'start': '2081.280', 'end': '2089.040', 'text': 'have that scar because I came in with'}, {'start': '2084.800', 'end': '2091.839', 'text': 'open arm welcome me you know when I'}, {'start': '2089.040', 'end': '2095.760', 'text': "don't even raise my hand up people come"}, {'start': '2091.839', 'end': '2098.720', 'text': 'and ask me you need something what can I'}, {'start': '2095.760', 'end': '2101.599', 'text': 'do for you and right now the people come'}, {'start': '2098.720', 'end': '2104.400', 'text': 'here right now they just afraid they'}, {'start': '2101.599', 'end': '2107.040', 'text': "can't tell you you know I'm new here I"}, {'start': '2104.400', 'end': '2110.000', 'text': "need help I'm scared or anything they"}, {'start': '2107.040', 'end': '2112.560', 'text': 'keep it for themsel and that will affect'}, {'start': '2110.000', 'end': '2115.560', 'text': 'them in the future and also affect the'}, {'start': '2112.560', 'end': '2118.000', 'text': 'gener next generation their children and'}, {'start': '2115.560', 'end': '2120.880', 'text': 'grandchildren just look at the Japanese'}, {'start': '2118.000', 'end': '2123.839', 'text': "got put in the intern camp it's affect"}, {'start': '2120.880', 'end': '2126.800', 'text': "several generation I'm lucky I didn't"}, {'start': '2123.839', 'end': '2129.040', 'text': 'have to go through that trauma at all'}, {'start': '2126.800', 'end': '2130.800', 'text': 'and I ra my children even though I tell'}, {'start': '2129.040', 'end': '2134.000', 'text': 'them I had to leave the country I had to'}, {'start': '2130.800', 'end': '2137.440', 'text': 'run for my life I almost died on the sea'}, {'start': '2134.000', 'end': '2140.240', 'text': 'but listen I got welcome to this country'}, {'start': '2137.440', 'end': '2144.079', 'text': 'people support me I be able to get my'}, {'start': '2140.240', 'end': '2147.040', 'text': 'education. I be able to, you know,'}, {'start': '2144.079', 'end': '2149.680', 'text': 'explore all the opportunity available'}, {'start': '2147.040', 'end': '2152.160', 'text': 'for me and I be able to provide you a'}, {'start': '2149.680', 'end': '2156.079', 'text': 'better life than I have when I first'}, {'start': '2152.160', 'end': '2158.079', 'text': 'came to this country. But you know, even'}, {'start': '2156.079', 'end': '2161.640', 'text': 'though I go through the hardship in the'}, {'start': '2158.079', 'end': '2165.400', 'text': 'first 12 years when I come here, it'}, {'start': '2161.640', 'end': '2167.800', 'text': 'nothing nothing. Every single day I get'}, {'start': '2165.400', 'end': '2170.720', 'text': 'up, I remind'}, {'start': '2167.800', 'end': '2174.599', 'text': 'myself. You have to remember, Van, you'}, {'start': '2170.720', 'end': '2174.599', 'text': 'are the lucky one.'}, {'start': '2174.960', 'end': '2180.000', 'text': 'Dan, I could listen to you talk all day.'}, {'start': '2177.839', 'end': '2182.320', 'text': 'Thank you so much for sharing all that'}, {'start': '2180.000', 'end': '2184.920', 'text': 'with us. I really appreciate it. Yeah,'}, {'start': '2182.320', 'end': '2187.560', 'text': "you're welcome. Thank you. I think you"}, {'start': '2184.920', 'end': '2190.800', 'text': 'know two million people, two million'}, {'start': '2187.560', 'end': '2194.119', 'text': 'Vietnamese today, they all reflect. They'}, {'start': '2190.800', 'end': '2194.119', 'text': 'all reflect'}]