Remembering Vietnam

This week (April 30th, to be exact) marks the 40th year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war or the "Fall of Saigon" (although my mother-in-law doesn't like that it's referred to as an anniversary, which implies celebration, while for the [South] Vietnamese, it is a sad occasion to remember). Up to 3 million Vietnamese citizens died in the conflict, which resulted in  Communist rule throughout Vietnam.

There have been lots of news broadcasts and shows (PBS has a good documentary I just watched on the "Last Days") regarding the end of the war, which hit closer to home now that I've married into a Vietnamese family.  My father-in-law, Khao actually served in the South Vietnamese army and was punished after the war. My mother-in-law, Thao, recounted to me how she (as an 18-year-old student) and her mother tried many times (unsuccessfully) to escape South Vietnam by boat.  Khao and Thao met after the war through a mutual friend and, finally in 1991, with young children in tow (Kelvin-9, Kenn ~7, Katherine ~2, and Theresa in utero) they were able to, through family sponsorship and by air, leave the country and escape the Communist state, first spending a week in Thailand and then ending up in Southern California. After a month or so in the L.A. area, they relocated to Orange County where they have lived for the past two decades.  My in-laws have only been back to Vietnam twice in twenty years, to attend their parents' funerals, and Thao tells me that her visits have only brought back sad memories. Kelvin and I visited Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City) in 2010 and saw many of his relatives that were still living there. Most of Kelvin's mom's relatives, including her father, have since left the country, resettling mainly in the U.S. (California and Texas).

Here are some good articles that describe the mindset of some of the (South) Vietnamese immigrants (including the children who have "grown up" into adults in the U.S.), and how and why they settled in Orange County:

-  Our Vietnam War Never Ended (thanks to my sister-in-law Theresa for sharing this link)
-  Why Westminster? Eleven Reasons the Vietnamese came to Little Saigon- and why they stayed
-  How They Became Us: Orange County Changed Forever in the 40 Years Since the Fall of Saigon 

Here is a gallery of graphic photos capturing some of the horrors of the war.

Kelvin's parents are incredibly faithful, selfless, hardworking, and amazing people who sacrificed so much to be able to start over with their family in a country which, arguably, may have deserted their people, but which has become a haven. While always living a modest existence in this foreign country, they raised four incredible, bright, successful, and devoted children who are their legacy.  I am proud to be married into such a family and am thankful that Iver will grow up to learn of his family's Vietnamese history and heritage.