After the fall of Saigon, Thanh's family's wealth vanished at the stroke of a pen. Her parents had to make the agonizing decision whether stay together as a family with six children and languish in poverty, or use the little money they had to give at least one child the opportunity to live in freedom.

They chose to send Thanh, their twelve-year-old daughter, to Australia. If she survived, the rest of the family could join her there. Ruthless pirates attacked and ended that hope. A vicious storm tossed their helpless boat until finally, Thanh ended up on an uninhabited island. Starving and weak, she couldn't give up. Her family depended on her.

Her inspiring story of her love for her family, courage, perseverance and gratitude to be able to live in the USA, led legendary radio talk-show host, Barry Farber, to dub her a "ground kisser," a sentiment many Vietnam veterans understand.

Thanh offers her undying thanks to all who American military who served, especially those who served in the Vietnam War and generously supports many veterans organizations.