After receiving Red Cross aid at a refugee camp Son Michael Pham spent his life paying it forward 

“Being able to help others unconditionally in a selfless way gives me joy… Joining the American Red Cross as (a) volunteer is my way of paying it forward.” 

Son Michael Pham grew up and lived in South Vietnam and left with his family of seven on the last day before the end of the war. More than 2,000 people were packed on a container ship searching for safety and freedom. Whenever a plane was spotted, a small group gathered in a small area of the ship, each person held a red piece of material or clothing forming the Red Cross sign, their S.O.S. signal.

After surviving two weeks in the Pacific with little or no food and water, they were saved by the U.S. Navy and brought to a refugee camp in Guam. 

In the camp (Orote Camp in Guam, known as Tent City) of more than 50,000 refugees, near the entrance was a large tent with the Red Cross symbol. A large board was there for people to post notes searching for family members. Throughout the day, announcements were made on loudspeakers by the Red Crossers for those who were searching for family members. Outside of the tent, people lined up to receive hygiene and dental supplies and used clothes and shoes. 

Son Michael joined the American Red Cross in Seattle in 1999. He served as a volunteer in the Language Bank and International Services and was on the board for 9 years. He also became a Disaster Relief volunteer involved with Mass Care, Sheltering, and trained to join the Reunification team. He once said, “Being able to help others unconditionally in a selfless way gives me joy… Joining the American Red Cross as (a) volunteer is my way of paying it forward.” 

Jim Laverty, former CEO of Red Cross in Detroit, was introduced to Son Michael by ARCAN member Ann Byrnes and subsequently went to Vietnam with him five times. Jim said, “Michael had a big heart and did a lot for Vietnamese orphans with his ‘Teach me to Fish’ program. One even went to medical school and became a doctor. Due to that program, some kids also grew up to be musicians, computer programmers, successful entrepreneurs and nurses. He was greeted with joy from North to South Vietnam when they would meet him.”

A memorial was held January 31 for Son Michael, who died peacefully November 21 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle from complications caused by a drowning accident. 

Portions of this story were originally published on the Red Cross Northwest Region’s website. You can also read more about his remarkable life in Northwest Asian Weekly, here and here.

https://nwasianweekly.com/2025/01/kids-without-borders-son-michael-pham-to-be-remembered-in-jan-31-mass/

https://nwasianweekly.com/2011/09/michael-son-pham-a-businessman-with-a-passion-for-helping-kids/