Dodd says, "She watched her husband be killed, her parent's be killed, her sisters killed, her brothers be killed, watched a child be killed by Khmer Rouge and managed to escape."
A special reunion- by Gil Simmons
(Danbury-WTNH, Aug. 2, 2004 5:50 PM) _ An emotional day in Danbury as a mother is reunited with her four children 25 years after they were separated.
by News Channel 8's Gil Simmons
Hakpaeap Dourk says,"I feel so excited. Sooo happy. Soooo happy!"
Happy her family is back together after being split up for 25 years. Dourk did not even know if her children were alive.
Sen. Chris Dodd says,"Believed that when she survived and got out and came to the United States during the 90s with one son that was the entire extent of her family."
Once she learned her children were alive she contacted Sen. Dodd.
"The jungles of Cambodia, and Thailand, surviving day to day and you end up here in America. It's an American story."
Hugs and Laughs today, a big contrast to years ago.
Dodd says, "Watched her husband be killed, her parent's be killed, her sisters killed, her brothers be killed, watched a child be killed by Khmer Rouge and managed to escape."
Her son and daughters are very glad to be here with family and freedom.
Kimseath Pa says,"We really happy. Thank a lot of people."
How did the mother get through all of the years staying strong?
Hakpaeap Dourk says,"I try to work very very hard to forget about things that happen that might make me feel not good."
Sophon Pa says,"We all know we live in the free country in freedom but we are still thinking about our family in Cambodia. Go to work, she smiles, but nobody knows how in her mind"
And for the future...
Hakpaeap Dourk says,"I want all of my kids children to understand about my life in the past. I want them to become really nice people."
