we had a good laugh.” David agrees, “He’s come a long way. Whenever I send him on a job now I’ll text him an address because his sons got him a smart phone with GPS.” Back with the Bensons, Souphy began to miss Som’s family who lived in Rockingham, and soon he made a visit to re-connect. Remembering sweet times, Souphy begins, “When I visited, I laid my eyes on Chantachone, Som’s daughter. Probably on the third visit, I said, ‘I want to marry your daughter.’” They were married June 1983. As Souphy’s wife Chantachone, age 16, finished up her schooling at Pinecrest, the newlyweds lived in an apartment right off of New Hampshire Ave and Ashe St in Southern Pines. Working harder than ever, Souphy worked first shift at Pride Tremble and then second shift at Jimmy’s Seafood. In addition, he worked various jobs nights and weekends. Chantachone also worked at Jimmy’s Seafood while finishing high school. The newlyweds hardly saw each other for two years. The years rolled into 1985, when a local across town began his own business, and soon another life-changing decision for Souphy offered new hope. David begins, “In 1985, I went into business for myself and started David A. McDaniel Electric, Electrical Contractor. I’d been in business almost a year when I needed some more help. When a friend, whose wife was Filipino, said he knew a guy who would make a good helper, he recommended Souphy. That first day we met, he came up to me with a big smile on his face, ‘Hello, my name is Souphy.’ The Laotians say, ‘Souphy’ with the ‘ph’ being phonetically an ‘f,’ but we just call him ‘Soupy.’” Traveling this unknown led to security as David and Souphy have worked together for now 30 years. Remembering the early days, David tells, “In June 1986, I hired Souphy. For the first few years, he and another employee Jeff Clark worked together; Souphy picked up the electrical trade by watching Jeff. When Jeff $20 AND A SEIKO continued transitioned out in 1991, Souphy and I teamed up. By 1988, Souphy and Chantachone welcomed their firstborn son John who was soon joined by another son Scott. When Souphy’s son John was diagnosed with lymphoma at nine years of age, David encouraged the family and offered as much time off as needed. During the dark days of illness, joy was found when the family went to Disney World with the Make A Wish Foundation. Thankfully John is doing fine now! David brags, “Souphy has two very smart sons who are graduates of UNCW with business degrees. They both work in finance and live in Charlotte. They call him every day!” Souphy laughs, “They call every night asking, ‘What are you doing? What are you cooking?’” Souphy and Chantachone, who works at McMurray Fabrics, have built a nice home in Pinebluff but enjoy many weekends in Charlotte with their sons. In balancing family and work life, both David and Souphy’s families have benefited from their strong bond of friendship. David ponders, "Souphy would tell my son Stefan, whenever he worked for me in the summertime, ‘Boy, if you don’t want to be doing this when you’re our age, then you need to go to school and be smart about your grades so you can put ‘neck on tie’ and be in the air conditioned instead of out in this heat.’ Souphy’s always been an encouragement to my boys to better themselves through education. All of my children look up to him!” David continues, “I tell him there’s no shame in working in the trades. We have MBAs who can’t change a switch.” Still a team, David and Souphy learn new things daily as they install generators and stand-by systems used by many in horse country. Currently Souphy is completely rewiring a house that is being restored. All of the switches, receptacles, and wiring is new. David notes, “It’s hard work. Neither one of us are young anymore. We work all year long through the temperate weather to the extremes of both hot and cold.” “For his 30th work anniversary, Souphy got a Happy Meal,” David jokes. “At 20 years,” David remembers, “I bought him a Seiko watch. The funny thing is, the same day, his son did as well. So now Souphy owns two Seiko watches!” In looking back over the 30 years in the workplace, David slows, “We’re not only employee and employer; we’re good friends. His integrity is amazing. He’s an incredibly hard worker, and I know I can send him on a job, and the job is going to be done right. He’s been a total asset to me as an employer, and as a friend, I know that he loves me and wants the best for me as a person. I know that God brought him into my life.” As for becoming a U.S. citizen, Souphy smiles, “I got a chance at life, and I appreciate the opportunity to come to the United States. I wanted to come and work hard; I didn’t expect the government to take care of me with free handouts. I’ve had citizenship since 1987.” In regards to refugees, Souphy muses, “I feel bad for the refugees with countries at war; sometime people need an opportunity to escape difficult times. Refugees must prove that they want to do the right thing—that they’re coming here for the right reason. If they want to harm America, then we shouldn’t let them come.” In calling America home, Souphy exclaims, “I’m proud to be an American. This is my home. I went back to Laos in 1999, when my dad died and two years later when my mom died. I still have two young brothers who still live there.” David laughs, “Whenever he comes back to the United States he kisses the ground.” Truly the greatest challenge to overcome as an immigrant has been the language. David agrees, “Definitely the language. We talk about this all the time as people have a hard time understanding him. Guess what? If I were in a foreign country, then my language wouldn’t be that great, either. Can you imagine if we had to ask somebody in Laos for a drink of water?” Proving that anyone can come to the United States, work hard, and become successful, “Souphy’s something to admire!” David encourages, “He’s been given chances, doors have opened, and he’s walked through them.” And Souphy is not alone. His family and friends who have joined him in this great American journey have influenced our towns, our families, our neighborhoods. From Chimhoy who bought Granny’s Donuts from the Zweebles and now his son and daughter-in-law run it, to Chantachone’s family who live in Aberdeen and own several restaurants. Her brother, Pote, who they call Mike, owns Susa Sushi Hibachi in Southern Pines. Sister Ding and Phone own Susa Hibachi Grill in Carthage. As for Lom, his brother-in-law, he’s been with David A. McDaniel Electric for about 15 years.” From Laos to Moore County, all who visit this great land of the Pines, choose to call it home and strive to make it a better place. David agrees, “I love Moore County. I love Southern Pines. I’ve been blessed with so many great friends. It’s a good place to grow and raise your family. It’s a good place to be!” With 38 years of marriage and nine children, David speaks from first-hand experience. As for the next 30, David reflects, “Customers ask when I’m going to retire, I say, ‘I’m going to work until the sun goes down.’ I’ll work all my life.” Souphy adds, “I love the Boss Man. He’s a good friend, a nice guy, and we both working hard.” David, “If he says, ‘I quit,’ then I’m going to quit! We talk about how long we’ve worked together. 30 years is a long time.” Souphy smiles, “I’m like glue on your shoes.” The friends agree, “We’ll just go out into the sunset together. I’ll quit if he quits.” The story ends as it began with two friends who shared a dream, a hope of a better life, and the work ethic to accomplish. From Laos to America, with a $20 dollar bill and a Seiko watch.�� The Douangdara Family. $20 AND A SEIKO continued $20 AND A SEIKO con't from p. 8 $20 AND A SEIKO con't. next column $20 AND A SEIKO con't. next column David McDaniel and Souphy Douangdara. p.10 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 124
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