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Old 02-28-2011, 06:05 AM
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Default Why? Answered.

This is a copy of an e-mail that I received this morning from one of the Pastors at the church that I go to.
Vietnamese Immigrant's commentary:
It looks like we did some good after all!
On Saturday, July 24th, the town of Prescott Valley, AZ, hosted a Freedom Rally. Quang Nguyen was asked to speak on his experience of coming to America and what it means. He spoke the following in dedication to all Vietnam Veterans. Thought you might enjoy hearing what he had to say.
"35 years ago, if you were to tell me that I am going to stand up here speaking to a couple thousand patriots, in English, I'd laugh at you. Man, every morning I wake up thanking God for putting me and my family in the greatest country on earth.
I just want you all to know that the American dream does exist and I am living the American dream. I was asked to speak to you about my experience as a first generation Vietnamese-American, but I'd rather speak to you as an American.
If you hadn't noticed, I am not white and I feel pretty comfortable with my people.
I am a proud US citizen and here is my proof. It took me 8 years to get it, waiting in endless lines, but I got it and I am very proud of it.
I still remember the images of the Tet offensive in 1968, I was six years old. Now you might want to question how a 6 year old boy could remember anything. Trust me, those images can never be erased. I can't even imagine what it was like for young American soldiers, 10,000 miles away from home, fighting on my behalf.
35 years ago, I left South Vietnam for political asylum. The war had ended. At the age of 13, I left with the understanding that I may or may not ever get to see my siblings or parents again. I was one of the first lucky 100,000 Vietnamese allowed to come to the US. Somehow, my family and I were reunited 5 months later, amazingly, in California. It was a miracle from God.
If you haven't heard lately that this is the greatest country on earth, I am telling you that right now. It was the freedom and the opportunities presented to me that put me here with all of you tonight. I also remember the barriers that I had to overcome every step of the way. My high school counselor told me that I cannot make it to college due to my poor communication skills. I proved him wrong. I finished college. You see, all you have to do is to give this little boy an opportunity and encourage him to take and run with it. Well, I took the opportunity and here I am.
This person standing tonight in front of you could not exist under a socialist/communist environment. By the way, if you think socialism is the way to go, I am sure many people here will chip in to get you a one way ticket out of here. And if you didn't know, the only difference between socialism and communism is an AK-47 aimed at your head. That was my experience.
In 1982, I stood with a thousand new immigrants, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and listening to the National Anthem for the first time as an American. To this day, I can't remember anything sweeter and more patriotic than that moment in my life.
Fast forwarding, somehow I finished high school, finished college, and like any other goofball 21 year old kid, I was having a great time with my life. I had a nice job and a nice apartment in Southern California. In someway and somehow, I had forgotten how I got here and why I was here.
One day I was at a gas station, I saw a veteran pumping gas on the other side of the island. I don't know what made me do it, but I walked over and asked if he had served in Vietnam. He smiled and said yes. I shook and held his hand. The grown man began to well up. I walked away as fast as I could and at that very moment, I was emotionally rocked. This was a profound moment in my life. I knew something had to change in my life. It was time for me to learn how to be a good citizen. It was time for me to give back.
You see, America is not a place on the map, it isn't a physical location. It is an ideal, a concept. And if you are an American, you must understand the concept, you must buy into this concept, and most importantly, you have to fight and defend this concept. This is about Freedom and not free stuff. And that is why I am standing up here.
Brothers and sisters, to be a real American, the very least you must do is to learn English and understand it well. In my humble opinion, you cannot be a faithful patriotic citizen if you can't speak the language of the country you live in. Take this document of 46 pages - last I looked on the internet, there wasn't a Vietnamese translation of the US Constitution. It took me a long time to get to the point of being able to converse and until this day, I still struggle to come up with the right words. It's not easy, but if it's too easy, it's not worth doing.
Before I knew this 46 page document, I learned of the 500,000 Americans who fought for this little boy. I learned of the 58,000 names scribed on the black wall at the Vietnam Memorial. You are my heroes. You are my founders.
At this time, I would like to ask all the Vietnam veterans to please stand. I thank you for my life. I thank you for your sacrifices, and I thank you for giving me the freedom and liberty I have today. I now ask all veterans, firefighters, and police officers, to please stand. On behalf of all first generation immigrants, I thank you for your services and may God bless you all."

2/26/11
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Old 03-04-2011, 02:09 PM
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Thumbs up Stick - A few more of those would help

This young man shows true character and I respect his thoughts and I'm glad he's proud to be an American - but there are plenty of others who've made it here or Canada that need to feel some of his compassion to those who've given so much for a cause.

I was a young man when I was there and today I'm an old man - much time has passed since those service days. Yet my memory is still sharp and recalls quickly those friends I had - that are no longer here. I'm sure they welcome such kind words but these folks were never given the time on this earth to have a family and to grow old.

I don't know how other's feel about this subject today - I can only say how I feel on this issue. Like many of the young men and women who are serving today in their hell holes. These issues are always tough on the soldiers who are on the front line when all hell breaks loose. The are eyeball to eyeball with those who would take their life in a heartbeat.

I see some of these kids today at the VA when I go. You can see it in their faces the look that tells you they've been somewhere that they don't want to go back to. Some day in the future they will express their pains and open up - it's only then can some healing begin to take place.

Let's not forget these kids they need us old timers to relate to and to have a beer or two and let out some of their pent up emotions they are carrying. I only wish we never had these conflicts to experience these sort of things - but I guess its better to go there then to have our families see these things that's for damn sure.

My respects to all those who've served and those serving today.
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O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Old 03-05-2011, 06:57 AM
VIETNAM 1968 VIETNAM 1968 is offline
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Thumbs up Very Well Said Boats:

Boats---You hit this one right in the middle and stated it far better then I could have done myself. I too see very young men, and some women, at the Orlando VA Care facility with terrible wounds and missing lega or arms. I know we Vietnam Veterans suffered these same kinds of wounds but there now appears to be far fewer of us left. When will all of this hostility end and the world learn to get along with each other? I fear for my Grand Children and their children yet to be born.

To all of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters I again wish you a MOST SINCERE and HEART FELT

WELCOME HOME:


VIETNAM 1968
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Old 03-05-2011, 11:21 AM
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BLUEHAWK BLUEHAWK is offline
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Default Good one, Stick...

"This person standing tonight in front of you could not exist under a socialist/communist environment. By the way, if you think socialism is the way to go, I am sure many people here will chip in to get you a one way ticket out of here. And if you didn't know, the only difference between socialism and communism is an AK-47 aimed at your head. That was my experience."

I so much wish that message could be heard more often...
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Old 03-06-2011, 05:46 PM
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I'm in agreement. It is over, and Yes, there is some good to all of this.
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