Tribute to my Tata,
We know you can no longer stay with us,
you fought long and hard to be with us.
Since you died we all cried
But your name will never be left behind
And it seems without you we are a bit blind.
I keep hearing that you were a great man
A man for Cambodia, a man who had great pride
And in my eyes had lots on your mind
With vast knowledge
And who believed in going to college
Nice and generous
Kind of curious
Loved Atlantic City
Made sure to always take care of me
Didn't always like to agree
Firm and strong like a tree
And he was very important to me
I know that I am blessed
To have a grandfather who I feel is one of the best
We all prayed hoping that you could be healed
Even when you knew that your fate was sealed
Yet you showed much courage and will
I am thankful that many friends visited you while you were ill
It has been almost one week since we had your big birthday
I still remember the big smile on your face that day 
To me you have the most beautiful smile
A smile that I won't forget for a long while
As my last goodbye, I really must say
How lucky and privileged I am to have known you to this day
For in my life, you have played a special part
The memories I will treasure and keep close to my heart
Although you have one, we will always be together
And your spirit will live on in each of us forever
When we look to the sky, we will look for the brightest star
As that will be my Tata looking down on us from afar.

I have just read an article by Mr. Gaffar Peang Meth on Ki-Media about Mr. Pheach Srey's life time work and contribution to the Khmer nation and people. My condolences and respect to his memory and family.

Hi. My name is Anna. I am going to read a poem by an unknown author for my grandfather.

When I close my eyes, I think of you
And now I know you're up there in the sky
That's why it's so blue
But you should know that if I cry
Its because I love you
 
Neang Chumreap Leah, TaTa.

Thank you, Dad.  Thank you for life.  Thank you for the opportunity for a better life.  And thank you for teaching me the important lessons--of life.  Please forgive me for past wrongs.  Most importantly, thank you for making me the Dad that I am today... I love you.  Rest in peace.

3 lessons I learned from my Dad.
   
   Lesson 1) The value of an education.  At the age of 7, Dad had a choice to make:  Stay a farmer or pursue an education? Fortunately, for many of us here, he chose an education.  He vigorously pursued his studies.  This allowed him to work in the foreign services.  The special insights and opportunities gained from being a diplomat allowed us to flee from Cambodia shortly before the Khmer Rouge took over--sparing us the suffering that followed. 

I'm alive and here today only because my father chose an education--many, many years ago.
   
   Lesson 2) No job is beneath you.  We came to America as refugees in 1975, in the middle of a bad recession.  We were sponsored through the generosity of a Methodist church in VA-- tasked with ensuring that we wouldn't become welfare recipients.  Times were hard.  But certainly nothing compared to the killing fields we had narrowly escaped.  We had no money.   And you certainly can't be a diplomat for a country that no longer exists-- in the legal sense.

   I remember never seeing my Dad for long periods of time as he worked jobs that I imagine only the new arrivals would take.   Similarly, my Mom traded diamonds and jewels on her hands for rubber gloves.  I remember meals of rice, hot dogs, and ketchup.

This was a long fall from having a chauffeur drive you to school.  

But, my parents did what they had to do. In today's economy, I'm reminded of the lessons from my Dad:  If it's honest work, it's good work.  Put your pride aside and do your darned best.
   
   Lesson 3) Help others.  Over the years, my Dad campaigned furiously for change.  He wanted to make the lives of his fellow Cambodians better.  He tried to provide the same opportunity to come to America that had been provided to him.  I wish I could tell you how many people he sponsored over.  But, everyone was a relative in some shape or form.  (I never realized how big our family was.)

   And if he couldn'tbring them over, he would do what he could to improve their situation back home.  He tried in the only way he knew how--through political change.  In the years before e-mail, I remember as a child spending hours on end--compiling, folding, and stapling these towering piles of sheets.  These became leaflets mass mailed to hundreds of people calling for human rights and democracy in Cambodia.

This was his way of paying it forward, but on a grand scale.

   We had managed to come to this country safely.  My Dad could've turned inward, focusing his energies on settling his family and raising his children in our new home.  But, he didn't.  For my Dad, all Cambodians were family.  And he just couldn't rest while any member of this family still suffered.
   
   Let me end by saying that:  He lived his life, he did his best, and he led by example.  He was my Dad, my hero and my role model.  By being in my life, he taught me the most important lesson of all:  how to become a man.
   
   Thank you, Dad.  Thank you for life.  Thank you for the opportunity for a better life.  And thank you for teaching me the important lessons--of life.  Please forgive me for past wrongs...Most importantly, thank you for making me the Dad that I am today.  I love you.  Rest in peace.

-funeral speech, 9-1-2012

To the family of Pheach Srey,
I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Pheach's death. He was a wonderful person. He was tirelessly caring the integrity of his homeland country. He extended his generous assistance to many Cambodian refugees to settle in the new land. He will be greatly missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
                                                             William Diep (Thorofare, NJ)

OBITUARY

Pheach Srey

August 19, 1938 – August 24, 2012

National Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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