IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SAY THANK YOU!

Thirty years ago we Vietnamese refugees risked our lives to escape communism, poverty, and uncertainties in search of freedom, opportunities, and a better life. We landed on this beautiful country called The Philippines, where we knew nothing about. Yet, we discovered that this country was like a paradise... where trees and fruits were plentiful... where the blue water reflected the sky... where the friendly people greeted us with open arms, where the locals reached out to help us and guide us for the future.

These wonderful and amazing people include Andrew Aaron Taylor, Sam Taylor, Angelie Toral, Gloria Demavibas, Jean Timones (RIP mahal), and many many more. Yet, when we left, we didn't even say 'Good bye' or did we ever say 'Thank you'. We just left in search of our final destination...the USA.

Well..30 years later, on behalf of my family, I'm returning to this beautiful country just to say thank you. Thank you for welcoming us with open arms. Thank you for your nurturing us. Thank you for your unconditional love of humanity. And thank you for the bridge that you built. Because of that bridge, we've found freedom, opportunities, and a better life.

Thank You again,

Tommy Nguyen

Tommy, you are so welcome.  I literally broke in tears reading this post.  I've been waiting for this validation.  I finally got it without asking after 25 years.  Thank you for making me restore my faith in the Vietnamese people that PFAC or VRC, or the Philippine government gave a temporary asylum from 1979 to 2005.  You are one in a million and you are welcome to come to my place and visit me in Canada anytime you want.  We love you, man.

Andrew Taylor
Orange County, California
January 2, 2012

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Reunited with ANN CUSACK and TUAN PHAN

Ann Cusack and I have known each other and have been very good friends since 1983.  She and I used to work in V.R.C. Palawan, Philippines teaching the Vietnamese refugees English and helping them adapt to their countries of destination.

 We lost contact many years ago and were reunited in December 2011 in Orange County, California after 18 long years.

 She now goes by the name Ann Phuong Nguyen for obvious reason (She's married to a Vietnamese gentleman.). Also in the picture is her lovely and personable daughter Monica.

 She also has a son named Tommy.

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REUNITED WITH PHAN ANH TUAN (Anthony)

Tuan Phan is my all time best friend.  He and I never really lost contact but hadn't seen each other for 19 years.  He lives in Seattle, Washington and has been exceedingly busy with work and school.

He was visiting his sister and parents in Sacramento, California and decided to fly to Orange County on January 5, 2012 to spend time with me and my family for 8 hours before I left for my other destination.  It was a great and memorable reunion.  Tuan and I have known each other for 31 years.  He was the best man at my wedding in 1993.  My family and in-laws know and consider him as a family member.

Here's my best friend Tuan with my family (Van, Stephen, and Sarah) at home in Orange County, California.

Tuan was my assistant teacher/enterpreter during our stint with the United Nations (UNHCR) in Palawan, Philippines.  He is a medical doctor by profession in the United States.

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