Trung was the secretary of Maison Chance USA, but more than that, he was one of my first Vietnamese friends living in the United States. Over a short period of time, Trung became of my best friends in the purest sense of the word. This text is a tribute to him and all that he did for Maison Chance.

Trung and Tim

How we met

In July 2007, Trung sent me an email after watching a YouTube video of me being interviewed on Vietnamese TV about Maison Chance. We got to know each other over the Internet, and he was really motivated to help Maison Chance. Trung began by purchasing several wheelchairs for the disabled people at our center. But first he sent me pictures of the wheelchairs to double-check if they would be suitable, and he even took the time to try them out himself both inside his house and outside on the street to make sure they were in good working order. Trung also offered to buy about twenty paintings drawn by our paralyzed artists, which he wanted to try to sell around his area in northern California.

In September 2007, I was invited to southern California to participate in "Paris by Night," one of the most popular Vietnamese variety programs. I took along the paintings that Trung had ordered, and he in turn decided to come and join me in Orange County to present me with the wheelchairs. We bonded immediately-it was as if we had always known each other. Trung was my driver throughout my two-week stay, taking me from one interview to another. In addition, he was my secretary (before officially taking on this title for MC USA). I met a great deal of people thanks to Trung's aid, and he helped me compile a list of Maison Chance supporters in the US.

Less than 48 hours before my return flight to Vietnam I asked Trung, "Where are the poor people?" He told me, "Here there aren't very many, but if you go down to Mexico, it looks a bit like Vietnam!" I asked him to take me and he accepted without hesitation. After one final interview at the end of the afternoon, we set off for Mexico on the American highway.

It was already dark when a short but unforgettable adventure began. We drove through San Diego, then across the border where we bumped into the Mexican police, or rather, the mafia! There were no signs and without warning we found ourselves face to face with a human wall of police officers "cashing in for the end of the month." They asked us many questions, and in the end declared that our car insurance was not valid for their country. If we wanted to cross over the border we would have to give them $250, otherwise we would be spending the rest of the night at the police station. Therefore, we decided to turn back and look into the car insurance problem the following day. At daybreak we purchased the appropriate insurance and arrived in the first Mexican town: Tijuana. As soon as we stepped foot into this new country, the smell and weather changed. We drove straight on without a map nor a destination, just to discover this raw, bare country.

We traveled down to Enseñada, a little town in the northwest by the ocean. Here Trung ordered food from a street vendor, not a real restaurant. We soon got to know the area as well as the good humor of the poor people who lived on the streets. Its simplicity reminded us of Vietnam. There I suggested to Trung that I would like to visit the big church in the town. He was very surprised and said, "But you aren't religious, so why would you want to go to church when I'm the one who's Catholic?"

"I don't belong entirely to any particular religion because I'm not 100% persuaded there can be one unique religion, but this doesn't mean that I don't have faith. Most religions teach Love; I also believe in Love." It was not time for Mass yet, but fifteen or so people were in the church praying. A handsome young man was kneeling and I was struck by his piety. We meditated for quite a long time in the peaceful atmosphere of this Mexican church.

On my way out of the church I turned my head and saw that this "handsome man" had a large lump behind his ear, like a tumor...

Our time was limited. Trung and I spent one night in Mexico, and after a few hours' sleep we had to set off again so that I could reach Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in time. This trip enabled us to talk about everything, but especially about the creation of the future Maison Chance USA. Trung was 100% in favor. We were again detained at the border by an imposing young policewoman-mafia on a motorbike, to whom we were obliged to give our remaining dollars even though we had not broken any laws (we were just late). We just made it to the airport in the nick of time. Trung also had to catch a plane to Sacramento, and we parted. As I was queuing to check in my bags, I realized I had Trung's identity card in my passport! I had prepared the papers to go through customs and I'd forgotten to give Trung back his ID. Without it, he wouldn't be able to get on the plane! I had returned my American phone and couldn't remember his number, so in order to find it I sat down on the floor in the middle of the line and opened up my laptop. I found his number and borrowed a mobile phone from an airport employee. I told Trung to come back as quickly as possible to my terminal to retrieve his identity card. We arranged to meet where we last departed-LAX is enormous-and I told him that if we couldn't find each other in the crowd, I'd give the ID card to the baggage handler in front of Gate 2. Luckily, we found each other and were relieved to have sorted out our problem. Then we each went our separate ways again.

Trung and I continued to write to each other, and new members came to join us so we could form the association MC USA. We decided that the headquarters of Maison Chance USA should be located in Trung's hometown of Sacramento, the capital of California, the state with the largest community of Vietnamese people living abroad. 

Trung in Vietnam

At the beginning of 2008 Trung came to Vietnam to discover Maison Chance, and he worked with us for a few weeks. His cheerfulness was contagious, and the staff members as well as the children and the disabled adults really appreciated Trung's presence.

One evening we were invited to the home of a couple who are famous in the Vietnamese entertainment industry. On the way back, Trung and I had a serious motorbike accident and both ended up in the hospital with very serious injuries, broken bones and blood everywhere.

We had great difficulty understanding what had happened, and we thanked heaven that we had been given a second chance. Trung and I shared the same hospital room. Once Trung was well enough to leave the hospital, he went back to the US.

During the months that followed, we could talk of nothing other than this terrible accident and of our injuries. It took us more than six months to get back into good shape. We had narrowly escaped death, and we told each other over and over how lucky we were to be alive. Even though we had been in a very serious accident, Trung's high spirit throughout the ordeal allowed us to lighten the mood a bit during our recovery.

Trip round the US at the end of 2008

In October of the same year I went to North America to participate in various events organized by the Maison Chance Association. A beneficiary of Maison Chance Vietnam, a disabled orphan named Thu Hien, accompanied me to share her story. When we arrived in Los Angeles (after visiting Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Texas), a friend came to pick us up at the airport and take us to her home. What a surprise waiting for us! Who should be there to welcome us at the door but Trung with a big smile on his face! He had travelled seven hours by Greyhound bus from Sacramento. Trung was wearing a brand new T-shirt which still had the price tag on it! When I made a joke about it, he said, "I didn't just get one but three...and all for the price of $9.99!" Trung joined me and Hien in the following cities in California: Westminster, San Fernando, San Jose, and Sacramento. He was our contact with the committees of all the organizations. In addition, he was our chauffeur and our general handyman. Trung transported suitcases from one airport to another, managed the material for the meetings, did the bookkeeping for the fundraising, etc. He was absolutely devoted, acting spontaneously and never counting the time.

Awakening the child within us

While traveling around we were welcomed in the homes of different Maison Chance friends. In each place Trung was regarded as the fun-loving member of the group, but at the same time always willing to help. He was indispensable for both Hien in her wheelchair as well as for me, even though he was still suffering from injuries to both shoulders after the serious accident at the beginning of the year. Our days always finished late, and Trung and I were always the last ones burning the midnight oil. We talked about life, about Maison Chance...we played music, I taught him French, he taught me "traditional Vietnamese." In San Jose we were invited to a beautiful house situated at the top of a hill. Our host had two enormous dogs, each weighing over 130 pounds (60 kg). They immediately became my friends! The owner explained that the dogs were not there to protect the house, but to ward off the deer which trampled the flowers and ruined the garden. Trung and I spent hours playing with these dogs. We ran barefoot up and down the hill with these two giant animals chasing after us, jumping on us, sometimes even knocking us over! We were like children. Trung and I were like brother and sister.

Next on our schedule was the headquarters of MC USA in Sacramento, which at the same time was Trung's home and the garage where he repaired cars: three places in one! We had to leave the following day; then the day after that, we were to take the plane to Seattle. I told Trung that it seemed a pity we should be going to visit the town where our association had its headquarters without marking the occasion in some small way. He agreed to the idea of organizing some sort of meeting. With just 24 hours to work on it, Trung started to make phone calls and send emails. The local radio station in Sacramento accepted to give me a 30-minute live interview in San Jose with just three and a half hours' notice. We had to hurry. I had to prepare my interview, but we also needed to pack so we could get to Sacramento in time for the Maison Chance gathering there, hoping that people would turn up.

My temper and our true friendship

I prepared all my things in a very methodical way; everything was spread out in my bedroom according to my logic. On the edge of the bed I had put my stockings, my traditional dress (áo dài), my underwear, and my shoes below. Spread out on the floor were my business cards and papers with the names of the people I had to call back. My laptop was on, with the rough notes which I needed to send after my interview just before leaving for Sacramento. I intended to get dressed after the interview, which was to be held in another room in the house, then I would pack up all my things and get into Trung's car, ready to set off for the meeting in Sacramento. When I came back to my bedroom 30 minutes later, I couldn't believe my eyes: all my things had disappeared! I ran downstairs, barefoot, where Trung was waiting. He told me to be quick and get into the car. When I asked him what had happened to all my things, he said he'd put them in my suitcase and bags! I couldn't get over it. I was furious-he'd packed up my personal belongings in any old way and it was no longer possible for me to find anything whatsoever.

I was staggered that Trung had taken the liberty of going into my bedroom and touching all my personal possessions. I went mad, even to the point of surprising myself. That must have been the only such "unforgettable" temper tantrum I've ever had. Eventually, we managed to find the clothes I'd planned on wearing then, and in heavy silence we got into the car. We carried on discussing the matter, but Trung apologized and I said nothing more. Basically, he'd been full of good intentions, but what he did was ungainly. I still regret to this day having flown into such a rage like that.

Sacramento, Trung's hometown and the HQ of Maison Chance USA

Trung's friends had managed to obtain a room, organized a light meal for the supporters, and even found a musician for us. Approximately 70 people participated in the presentation of Maison Chance, a meeting improvised in the space of just 24 hours. It was a reunion of quality rather than quantity, which lasted two hours. It was simple but intimate.

Hien, Trung, and I spent the night at one of Trung's cousin's house, as my friend's garage did not offer the same comfort. There were pomegranate trees all around her house and Hien was very happy to go and pick some.

The next day we had to leave Trung to catch the plane at the beginning of the afternoon. We arrived at Sacramento Airport fifteen minutes before the departure time of the Alaska Airlines flight, and the ground staff refused to let us board because we were far too late. However, we were lucky; with a little bit of charm we managed to persuade them to let us board-just 30 seconds before the plane took off for Seattle. We had just said goodbye to Trung for the very last time.

His second and final accident

On August 22nd, 2009, Trung was involved in a fatal car accident. At an intersection late at night, there was a traffic collision with a semi truck. Trung was found dead inside his car-our friend and secretary, 45 years old, and in such good health.

Follow the links below for more on this tragic accident:

http://www.youtube.com

Our goodbyes

The funeral ceremony and the burial were held on August 29th in Sacramento, California. His family, as well as his close friends, decided to make a donation to Maison Chance in place of their floral tributes. I am sure that Trung would have made the same decision if he had been able to think about it before his death.

On this same day, on the other side of the world, we organized a ceremony in memory of Trung at the Take Wings Center. I told his story: his birth in Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, his difficult early years because of the war, his odd jobs in order to survive (e.g., bicycle-taxi, selling bread at bus stations). Tears streamed down many cheeks...of the children who had met him and offered him their affection...of the disabled, overwhelmed by this painful loss for all at Maison Chance.

Carrying on with Trung's work

Trung was so happy to be the secretary of Maison Chance USA, as well as to represent the headquarters of our association in the United States. So was I. Such a devoted, reliable person who ensured genuine stability is extremely rare. I knew he would never stop, and his commitment was indeed "to the death."

I believe that after death all is not finished, and that somewhere our Friend still lives. In memory of Trung, his Friends in Sacramento will succeed him. Mr. Son has accepted to take on the role of secretary of Maison Chance USA, and will ensure the continuity of Trung's work.