Continuation from previous post…
In 1979, Cambodia was invaded by its neighbor, Vietnam, and the Khmer Rouge government soon collapsed. Pol Pot fled into the jungle and the prisoners were released.
Sam and his family left Cambodia, ending up in a Thai refugee camp. His older brother, Seila, had emigrated to the United States four years earlier. He sponsored Sam, his mother, and 3 siblings and in 1980, they headed for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.
At that time, the population of Las Vegas was only 165,000; in all of Clark County, it was 463,000. Howard Hughes was one of the most powerful men in the city with a financial empire that included significant holdings of Las Vegas real estate. Later that year, a devastating fire at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino killed 85 and injured 785. It was the worst disaster in Nevada history. The construction of the Mirage, which was to kick off the era of the megaresorts, was still nine years away.
Sam wanted to arrive at his new home in proper style. He wore what he had seen so many actors in American movies wear. As he stepped off the plane in a 3 piece suit and top hat, he was hit with the searing heat of a 120 degree August day in the desert. His brother Seila, greeted him, laughing at the sight of Sam in his fancy suit making his way into the hot dust bowl known as Las Vegas.
But laughter was a welcome sound after the years of anguish, misery, and tears. It was a great way to start a new life. Sam came into his new surroundings with determination, faith, persistence and strength of mind gained from living through events that most of us could never imagine.
Determination, faith, and persistence would be the core strengths that he would call upon to start and build his company, SEMCO.
Next: SEMCO formulates and produces its first products for cleaning concrete.
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