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
====
