"The world needs dreamers that do."
Members of Team Redstone gathered May 17 at Bob Jones Auditorium to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, hosted by the Army Contracting Command. The keynote address was given by local entrepreneur Lisa Williams, who shared her story about turning her dreams as a young girl in Saigon into becoming a successful American businesswoman.
Williams shared with the audience the story of meeting Sgt. 1st Class George Duncan at age 6 while he was stationed close to their home in Vietnam. Duncan's tour was ending and Williams said he re-enlisted to return to Saigon and marry her mother. All three would later make their home in America. Williams, who contracted polio at 3, said that as a disabled female, her future would have been severely limited to a life of farming with no prospects of an education or marriage if she had stayed in Vietnam.
"He gave me the American dream," Williams said, calling her father "my quiet hero."
Williams said her father did not receive many awards or accolades during his military career, but "this hero saved two lives. Because that is what heroes do."
In America, Williams flourished, earning a bachelor's in chemical engineering from the University in Alabama in Huntsville. Williams worked as an engineer for various corporations and she founded 3D Research Corporation in 1997. After 3D Research was acquired by the Schafer Corporation in 2005, Williams would take on several more leadership roles both in subsequent businesses and also on several boards and councils, receiving numerous awards over her career.
Williams encouraged the audience to strive to achieve their own dreams, sharing stories about raising her own family and pursuing a career -- both dreams that were realized in America.
"The number one rule of the American dream is to live it," she said. "It is so valuable. We can't take it for granted. We can't give it up."
During the observance, the audience was treated to traditional musical and dance performances, as well as brought to their feet by a musical selection by 9-year-old Renee Graves who also performed the national anthem.
As part of the commemoration, local students and members of Team Redstone were recognized for their participation in related art and essay contests.
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