As the ninth child in an immigrant family, I've frequently faced the sting of prejudice, with some individuals blaming me for the Vietnam War due to my Vietnamese heritage. Yet, my love for America has never faltered, and I’ve stood firm, defending our nation’s rights and freedoms. In 2012, I found myself in the heart of Afghanistan, serving as an Airborne Combat Engineer with the 173rd Special Troop Battalion. During a mission fraught with danger, we were ambushed. I was at the helm of our RG-31 Nyala when a rocket-propelled projectile struck our fuel tank, causing a massive explosion that rendered me unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I was disoriented and partially blinded. A concussion caused a persistent ringing in my ears. Blood flowed freely from my nose as medics worked rapidly to remove my torn suit and extract the metal shrapnel embedded in my back and legs. Despite the pain and confusion, I persevered and successfully completed our mission. For this act of courage, I was awarded the Purple Heart and honorably discharged. Transitioning to civilian life as a disabled veteran was challenging. Chronic joint pain and a herniated disc were constant reminders of my past, while acute PTSD and depression haunted my nights. As a man of few words, I suffered in silence until a family intervention led me to seek treatment and refocus on pursuing a college degree. Earning a bachelor’s degree holds significant meaning for me as a first-generation college student. My parents immigrated to the U.S. when I was just one year old and have worked tirelessly to support me and my siblings despite their limited English proficiency. After losing my father to cancer at age nine, my mother became our sole provider. However, her disability prevented her from working, forcing us to rely on state benefits for basic needs. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood meant limited access to quality education and resources. With the help of a mentorship program, I gained admission to Washington State University where I am majoring in Business with an emphasis on Financial Technology (FinTech). My passion for FinTech stems from my belief that technology can enhance financial literacy and empowerment in low-income communities like mine. College presented its own set of challenges, but I remained steadfast. With assistance from tutors and study groups, countless hours of studying, and hands-on project work, I secured an internship where I developed complex financial models that were both accessible and actionable for everyday clients. This experience inspired me to create a content channel to teach FinTech. In fact, I’m using artificial intelligence to design an application named CeCe - a financial coach who teaches investment using alliteration - Cash, Credit, Crypto, Commodity, Collectible, & other Categories. My goal is to develop CeCe into a full-fledged program that can deliver simple plans, insightful guides, and tips to everyday Americans so they can become more financially literate. With CeCe, I hope to reduce the wealth gap between the 99% and 1% of Americans.