STORY and PHOTOS By TAM NGUYEN / Nguoi Viet 2
WESTMINSTER, Calif. – They gathered on the sidewalk to remember the many lives that were lost during the Viet Nam War on Tuesday afternoon, remembering the events of 38 years ago when Sai Gon fell to the communists. They talked of the new lives they have started here, wistfully recalling the land they left behind.
A few hundred community members gather at a rally in Westminster, Calif., to remember the lives lost during the Viet Nam War on the 38th anniversary of the fall of Sai Gon.
“I am glad I escaped that country and made it here,” said Tien Nguyen, 68, of Anaheim, who said he remembers April 30, 1975, as if it were yesterday. “I had to sacrifice everything to come here by boat. Every year at this time I can still see the ocean and feel the waves of all those years ago.”
Westminster Mayor Tri Ta came to Tuesday‘s rally to pay his respects, as did his colleague, Councilwoman Diana Carey, who became emotional.
“As I was driving down the street today, I saw the Vietnamese flags all lined up and I thought back to my family and friends whose names are on the memorial wall (in Washington D.C.),” Carey said.
Council member Diana Carey (center left) and Westminster Mayor Tri Ta (center right) pray.
“I now see that my friends did not die in vain and we will never forget that day,” Carey said.
Seventy-year-old Minh Nguyen, of Westminster, shared memories as well.
“Not only do we remember the soldiers, we remember the half a million people who were lost at sea,” said Nguyen, who also came by boat and nearly lost his life when the boat took in water. A nearby military ship rescued the passengers.
At the rally, the elders stressed it was important to pass on the memories of April 30 to the younger generation so they understand their heritage.
“Even though our homeland is lost, we will always wave the flag and keep the country alive in our hearts,” said Thao Tran, 80, of Westminster. Her son, Cuong Nguyen, was 10 when he passed away on the boat’s voyage for freedom.
Community members stopped at the altar to pay their respects.
