Nestled in the heart of Chesapeake, the Chau family embodies the richness of cultural heritage, unwavering dedication, and a deep sense of community. Led by Thai Chau, a veteran, entrepreneur, and cybersecurity expert, the Chaus weave a tapestry of Vietnamese traditions, American values, and a passionate commitment to family.
“We are passionate about our Vietnamese culture, but we are also very patriotic. We love our community and love helping others, especially our older vets,” Thai said. “We remember where we came from (Vietnam) and we appreciate where we are (America). We always treat others the way we want to be treated and teach our kids how to work hard and respect others.”
The Chaus’s story begins with a spark of love at a family wedding in Tampa, Florida. Thai met Tina Tran, his future wife, and their journey together blossomed into a marriage of over two decades. Their two children, Kyle and Kitty, later came along and blessed their union, each carving their own paths in life. Every year, the Chaus return to Florida,
reconnecting with family and enjoying the vibrant energy of their old stomping grounds.
Thai’s background is a testament to his hard work and dedication. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree and pursuing a Master’s in cybersecurity, his career spans from
serving in the Navy to cybersecurity roles at prominent institutions like Stanford Children’s Hospital. Now, he runs his own pressure washing company, Atlantic Softwash, using its success to serve veterans in a unique way.
Tina, equally driven, brings her business acumen to L.A. Nails, where she works as a nail tech. Over her decade-long employment there she has built a loyal and steadfast clientele.
But the Chaus’s story transcends their personal pursuits. Their cultural roots hold immense significance and their love of both their cultural heritage and their patriotism translates into respect for others, which Thai and Tina have worked hard to instill in their children. Kyle, an honor student with a passion for culinary arts, attends Grassfield High School, and Kitty, a successful dental hygienist in Florida.
For the Chau family, their business, Atlantic Softwash, has become a powerful tool for expressing their gratitude. “My company, Atlantic Softwash does help the older veteran
community out. We service older, disabled Veterans homes and we do it for free,” Thai shared with pride. “We love our men and women who have served and given part of their life to the country. We try to perform these services at least once every month at absolutely no cost to them. It’s just our way of saying thank you and we care about you.”
By offering free pressure washing services to older, disabled veterans, the Chau family bridges the gap between their cultural values and service to the community they now call home. This act of selfless giving echoes Thai’s own military service, a tribute to those who sacrificed for their country.
Community forms another vital thread in the Chau tapestry. In their neighborhood, Forest Lakes, where they’ve found a haven of safety, community, and friendly neighbors. While work keeps them busy, knowing they can return home to a loving community is a comfort for each member of their family.
“We love our neighborhood,” Thai shared. “Everyone is very friendly and looks out for one another. The kids are always out and about when they are home from school. It is a great place to raise kids. Our neighbors take pride in where they
live and we do too.”
The Chaus are a living testament to the power of cultural identity, family bonds, and service. Their story inspires us to remember our roots, appreciate our communities, and
extend kindness to those around us, creating a stronger and more vibrant life and community, together.
“Love one another and be kind to each other,” Thai said. “We all come from different backgrounds and have differences but we also have similarities as well. Let’s not let the
differences separate us, but rather, bring us together so that we may learn from each other.”
