| John Reynolds, Adoptee |
| "This is my first experience with other Vietnam adoptees. I really enjoyed sharing with other's experiences and lives. It has really opened a door to learn more and to increase my involvement with this community." |
| Santa Monica, CA |
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| Cindy, Al, Danial, and Alli Robertson, Adoptive Parents |
| "Just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate all of you. I heard nothing but expressions of gratitude and praise for your panel discussion on Saturday. You guys really are wonderful! I am so thankful we met you and have been able to maintain contact since the VAN conference. Your generosity of spirit and passion for helping adoptive families are truly special and shine through all you do. Thank you, thank you."
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| McMinville, OR |
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| Natalie Cherot, Adjunct Professor, Asian American Studies |
| "Multiracial and Vietnamese adoptee movements have been identity, community-building, and political endeavors. Both are working to change rules, ideas, attitudes, and behaviors that govern the meaning of what it is to be adoptees and multiracial in their communities." |
| UC-Santa Barbara, CA |
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| Kaplan Family, Adoptive Parents
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| "I meant to email a thank you right after we got back from Portland. Thank you so much for organizing that weekend. Theo and George had so much fun. The kids' activities were great. That lion dance made quite an impression with George. He has learned to say the word "lion" and he plays his toy drum and wants Theo to wear the lion mask that he made." |
| Seattle, WA |
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| Vietnam Heritage Camp |
| "Probably the most exciting highlight of last year's camp was the sheer number of Vietnamese community members who came to camp from around the country to celebrate with us! Four members of the Vietnamese Adoptee Network (VAN) out of the Northwest, including President Christopher Brownlee, his wife Kelly, Bree Brown, and Richard Silver. It was a thrill to have them here and listening to their panel discussion. Both parents and teens benefited from their insights into being adopted from Vietnam." |
| Colorado |
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| Tina Silver, Spouse of an Adoptee |
| "As a wife of an adoptee, I was very blessed this weekend. I was able to share feelings with other spouses that I haven't had the opportunity to. What a joy it was to see the excitement on Rick's face every time we [sic] together over the entire weekend. Thanks to everyone involved both in planning and who attended. It was a joy to meet everyone." |
| Sherwood, OR |
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| Judy Kopp, Adoptive Parent |
| "Great work! VAN Group -- a real feeling of 'connectedness'..." |
| Tacoma, WA |
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| Joyce Harrington, Medical Nurse involved in Operation Babylift |
| "It has been so great to see all of you after 26 years and witness how you have grown and are now touching and connecting with the next generation of Vietnamese adoptees. Thank you for sharing this gathering with me." |
| Vancouver, WA
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