With tears streaming down my face I type this message... To Kim, to Uncle Sam, to Lam and all the family you left behind and those who passed before today--you are each honorable in both your adopted country and your birth country! I am a child of the Viet Nam years, although my journey is totally different from what you described. I was born in the United States and remain today surrounded by loved ones and enjoy both my birth parents. I have never experienced the pain of loss, personal fear for survival nor separation from everything familar as you described. My husband was in the service during the Viet Nam War and has shared recollections of that time, although nothing touched me as deeply as reading your account touched me today. I hope life holds only wonderful experiences for you forever forward. AMEN.

Brian ~
Words cannot express how grateful my family is for your special post. Thank you so very much for wanting to share my story and video with our Internal and External family too.

Last month, I met a Rochester Institute of Technology student named William Xu at the OCA National Convention in San Francisco. William followed up to tell me that he currently serves as the national president of Pi Delta Psi, the second-largest Asian American fraternity in the country and the only one with an emphasis on culture. He mentioned that the Rochester community has a large number of adopted Korean Americans, and he wants to create a fund within the fraternity’s national treasury that will pay for one or more students to return to their homeland to find their roots. He asked me to advise him on what students might need to prepare and what they might experience through the rediscovery process.

William shared: "I finally got around to watching the video... It was very touching and something I think should be shared with not only Vietnamese Americans but many Asian Americans who have in one way or another lost touch with their heritage and culture."

I hope that my broader message of always remembering where you come from; embracing your heritage; and never being ashamed of who you are resonates not only with Asian Americans, but with everyone who watches the video.

As the Beatles once sang, “with a little help from my friends” I know that we will find Mr. Smith and his family. We are now one step closer to making my dream come true – thank you from the bottom of my heart, Brian!

LUV,
Kim Phuong

Dear Anonymous:
Your message brought tears to my eyes! My story is among thousands of immigrant stories; I was blessed that Digital Clubhouse Network wanted to share mine with you. One day soon, I hope to write another blog about my preparation and visit with Mr. Smith and family. THANK YOU so very much for sharing your heartfelt words!
;) Kim

Hi John~
I have seen "Daughter From Danang." I know the journalist who helped Heidi reunite with her family. Even though I had a different "homecoming," it was an incredibly moving documentary that hit home for me as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
;)Kim

Dear Kim,

I am glad that I had a chance to hear your story from you before watching your beautiful movie. It is so inspiring on so many levels. I shared my story with you about my dear high school boyfriend who went off to war and struggled on so many levels for so long. I still have a heavy heart for all he went through. But when I watch your story, I can say that he was a part of something so much bigger than he ever knew. There is no beauty in war.......but there is beauty in hearts of people who reach out to make something beautiful out of the ashes.

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. You are going to give courage and hope to many........and I feel that someday Jim Smith is going to have one of the happiest days of his life.

Bless you on journey for answers......and in your endeavor to inspire others.
Sincerely,
Linda Laurie

Thanks Katie for taking the time to watch the video and for your post! I hope my video encourages others to share their stories, so we can all heal together. Luv, Kim

Linda, I appreciated our conversation yesterday and thank you for sharing a piece of your heart with me as well. You are an inspiration to me, and I appreciate all that you do for ALL of our veterans. Hugs, Kim

Hi Anh Tuan~
You make me laugh! My hubby and I have taken Vietnamese lessons, but outside of menu items and the numbers 1-10, we know as much as my one-year-old. I'm hoping that once he's a little older, he can teach us! Thanks for your note.
;) Kim

Bill~
I'm chuckling right now! Who doesn't like chicken fried steak?! I'm sure our moms our enjoying the endless buffet of pho and chicken fried steak right now! Thank you for sharing all of your laugh-out-loud and heartbreaking stories through the blog too. Hope to see you soon, maybe we can have a heavenly lunch at HDQ; I'll bring the pho! ;) Kim

Hi Kim,

As I've said before, your experiences are not that far off from many young Asian Americans. Just because many of us were brought up by our birth parents, doesn't mean we don't find our selves conflicted over values and identity. Many of us grew up with a general idea of what being Asian meant, as well as what being American meant, but finding our own place in the middle is perhaps not as easy as just putting the two words together. We definitely need more role models like you, to look up to, to identify with. So please, don't stop reaching out to our communities and doing the great stuff you do.

Respectfully,

William Xu
National Executive President
Pi Delta Psi Fraternity

Hi William~
You're certainly not alone in your feelings. I look forward to talking about your program for adopted Korean Americans. You are a role model as well, thank you for your passion for helping others! ~Kim