Silicon Valley Chapter Silicon Valley,

Military Officers Association of America

Santa Clara County Unified Chapter #63 AFTER ACTION REPORT

ROA / MOAA Silicon Valley Chapter Luncheon Program – 17 January 2019 Genocide in – 1975 - 1979 Ms Channy Chhi Laux

Francoise Ponchaud, a French historian, once asked, "How many of those who say they are unreservedly in support of the Khmer revolution would consent to endure one hundredth part of the present sufferings of the Cambodian people?" Numerous books and articles have been written on the , the period during which the Red Cambodians or "" controlled the country between 1975 and 1978. Under the Khmer Rouge, millions of Cambodians died from execution, forced labor, disease and starvation. Hearing the story of someone who was there can be quite an experience.

The chapter’s January speaker was Channy Chhi Laux, an eyewitness to the Cambodian genocide, who described how she and her family survived the horrors of a terrible time in human history. Once a Cambodian escapee and today a Master of Electronic Science, she wanted to tell her story to ROA and SVC members, military people, because they could understand what she and her family went through under the brutal, murderous Khmer Rouge. “You understand the story of survival, you know that individual strength is not how strong we are, but how much we care about those who love us,” she said. She was just thirteen when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Channy seemed nervous when she began her illustrated presentation but grew quickly into confidence, full of emotion, and then straight from the heart as she told of her family’s experiences. Channy Chhi Laux at Age 13

In April 1975 Channy Chhi Laux was a happy thirteen-year-old girl who was excited to start a new school year. But as news reports announced that the Khmer Rouge were getting closer to taking control of Cambodia, Channy and her family were forced to relocate to Poipet, a border town to . From that point forward Channy lived a life dictated by fear. Channy displayed a map of Cambodia; a pile of human skulls proving that not everyone survived; the red/yellow Khmer Rouge flag, symbol of belief in the Carl Marx teaching and that Communism is better for society, that Capitalism is the cause of inequality and suffering, and that the objective was change to a classless agrarian society.

The very next day after they took over the country. They evacuated the city/town/small village to remote country side. According to Channy, “I slept on a 2nd floor and was woke up (sic) with the sound of gunfire so close as if they were coming from within my house.” She and the family were threatened by armed men who evicted them from the house. “We walk from town to town, village to village, step away from asphalt, away civilization for the next 4 years,” she said. Mass Evacuation

Channy’s parents were successful urbanites torn from that life by the Khmer Rouge and along with many others were forced into a farm labor camp, their assets stolen, and pushed to work all day. They lived in a small hutch built by them and ten other prisoners. They were forced to work 12 hours per day with very little food and almost no breaks. All over Cambodia and around them four million Cambodians were being killed at a rate of 1,400 a day. Anything was a reason to be killed, especially being a capitalist. But Channy and her family felt this horror “won’t last until the world comes and saves them.”

The time the family would no longer be together was approaching fast and what followed was a sense of hopelessness, a consistent time of prayer, constantly encouraging one another, harsh conditions, a desire to die by her mother’s side yet walk away from her, the threat of starvation, and blaming God. A sign Channy’s future was improving was that her short hair due to malnutrition saved her from having her hair

cut off as the other women had.

Throughout the ordeal Channy found friendship despite dire circumstances, learned to rely on her animal instincts, endured emotional pain, and found the courage to look past her misery and persevere for the sake of her mother. Channy told how it is possible to survive unforgiving conditions through faith in God, a fierce determination, and unwavering inner-strength.

In 1979 and seventeen years old, Channy escaped Cambodia and migrated to the United States as a refugee. Without knowing a word of English, she attended high school in Lincoln, Nebraska, and later the University of Nebraska and Santa Clara University where she earned two undergraduate degrees and an advanced degree, all leading over time to careers as an engineer in the aerospace and biotech industries (BAE Systems), food manufacturing and Cambodian restaurant ownership/operation, and as an author. More than 15 copies of Channy’s books were sold at the luncheon. She had a marvelous story to tell – down to earth, engaging, inspiring, and so full of life. One reviewer noted, “Chaney Chhi Laux’ s story is heart-wrenching to say the least. It is difficult to fathom how awful humans can actually treat one another. The author tells of the horrors her family endured in Cambodia during the political turmoil in the . One has to admire the strength and courage of this amazing woman as she escaped to begin a new life in Lincoln, Nebraska.” Short Hair Detention is available from Amazon or where other fine books are sold. SOURCE: Luncheon Speaker

Scenes and Moments from Channy Chhi Laux’s Presentation – 17 January 2019

0