The 50th Planning Commission is spotlighting 50 pivotal community members and their work. Join us in celebrating our incredible community members!
“When I was younger and even now, my father sometimes tells me about his experience with the Fall of Saigon, the same can be said with my mother’s side. Although my mother wasn’t there during the time the capital of South Vietnam fell, her mom and relatives were. My dad experienced it in its whole miserable glory along with his family. They went on one of the last boats to leave because my grandfather had to do something before leaving, gramps changed, because of it they said. This is due to PTSD. My father tells me how lucky I am to be here and how harrowing the experience was and overall, the war, too. As I remember all those old stories from long ago, while reflecting, I realize I am lucky to be here, because my dad and family would’ve not been here and could have died at any moment in that event. My gramps despite what happened is here. Life was tough for them and ultimately heartbreaking. I learned from it that humanity will find a way to live, to see hope, and get the opportunity to pursue it. The Fall of Saigon was truly a tragedy and was chaos with the commies taking over the city. They were able to persevere but lost a lot. My mother’s side lost a lot, but despite that they never lost heart. Although divided on issues, they were able to stick together. I don’t clearly remember them since it’s years since then and that I don’t remember every conversation, but through them, I learned of the enduring human spirit in the fare of desolation, despair, and chaos. How people can recover, but never forget the scars is another thing I learned. I see footage of 4/30/1975 and seen accounts, so I knew how harrowing it was. Especially for the Vietnamese who were practically left for dead by the government. I also learned of how everything has duality and that despite the Americans abandoning them, they never give up. I realize how grateful I am for them to get here and thought how brave they must be to go through it. I’m glad I am here but I do know they have some things they can’t forget and may have left a lasting impression. I know it but I do see that they are fading. I pray they heal and pray that we won’t forget, but still learn and stick together as a family." ~ By Zachary Nguyen
“From nagging about not liking the meals that were offered to me, to complaining about how little clothes I had and constantly finding the need to buy expensive items just because I saw others had them.
I never realized how fortunate I am until I watched the Vietnamerica film. This film has shifted my perspective on life in America in contrast with life in Vietnam. I take in the fact that I didn’t have to wander around the sea on a packed and uncomfortable boat, just to seek freedom while praying for a better life. I never had to suffer hunger and starvation, being separated from my own family, or seeing people get killed and bodies thrown off the boat. Yet, this was the reality for my ancestors. Through their sacrifices, I was able to live here in America, where it is many people’s dream life. I reflect back to see that I am much more fortunate than so many more people and I am blessed to have the life that I have today. The film has further enriched me that life is never easy, but if you seek hard and are passionate for something, everything will be possible. The many different stories in the film Vietnamerica have been so inspiring and makes me so proud to be a Vietnamese person. I am grateful for our people and how strong they are. I thank my ancestors for taking this step of courage and granting all the freedom that I have today, and I learned to never take this life God has given me for granted. “ ~ By Vy Nguyen
“The movie showed me why our parents and relatives made a decision that was risky, but also could change their lives. They wanted a brighter future for their own family, themselves, and their future kids. I believe that our generation should acknowledge the struggles, pain, and fear people experienced during this time. This movie definitely showed how brave and ambitious my people are, especially my family. It makes me want to be proud of who I am now and be thankful for what my parents and family did for me. With all the nightmares that people had to endure during the Vietnam War, we for sure are motivated to do better and show others that my people survive the worst events known around the world. I have learned that I should be proud to be a Vietnamese American. I should show people who don’t know about my culture and my nationality the wonderful things I have adapted from my culture and why I had an amazing opportunity to be in America instead of Vietnam. As a young teenager, I don’t understand why I should be grateful that I am an American. Now that I have watched the movie, I believe I should be proud to be an American with the opportunities I can have compared to those in Vietnam who don’t get to experience the things that I have. ~ By Kimmy Nguyen
“Every year on April 30th, my parents remind me of their experiences with the Fall of Saigon. And every year, my emotional understanding of it grows with age. Watching Vietnamerica made me realize even more how traumatic escaping was and why my parents work so hard.
My mom was about 7 years old when she came to America. She’s the third oldest of 8 children and was luckily able to adapt to American culture and the English language. My dad, however, came to America by boat when he was around 13 years old. He is also the third oldest of 7 children. It was a struggle for him to find the right time to leave with his family, but after second guessing, they finally made the move. Learning English wasn’t the easiest for him, and he admits it took maybe 10 years until he was finally comfortable with his speaking skills. He grew up in Versailles where he and my mom found their community. Both my parents worked hard to face discrimination and find success. They still reminisce about their lives in Vietnam – my dad from the countryside and my mom from the city – but they’re grateful to have freedom and life in America. They have taught me to appreciate the quality of life that we have and our beautiful heritage and culture. I’m proud to be Vietnamese and the 50th will be equally important to us as every other year was.” ~ By Casey Ngo
“As a Vietnamese individual, watching the documentary "Vietnamerica" was a deeply emotional and personal experience that allowed me to connect with my history and past in profound ways. Through this film, I was able to explore the experiences of Vietnamese refugees who resettled in America after the Vietnam War, and it evoked a range of emotions as I learned about the struggles and triumphs of Vietnamese people. One of the most important aspects of "Vietnamerica" was its portrayal of the resilience and strength of the Vietnamese diaspora. As I watched the interviews and heard the personal stories of individuals who fled their homeland in search of a better life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. The courage and determination displayed by these refugees, despite facing immense hardships and challenges, served as a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. One particular story that resonated deeply with me was that of the martial arts master whose family was tragically killed by pirates. Hearing his recounting of the horrific events that led to the loss of his loved ones filled me with an immense surge of sadness and empathy. The pain and grief etched on his face as he recalled the memories of his family served as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and conflict. In that moment, I felt a potent connection to his story, as if his pain and loss were my own. Moreover, "Vietnamerica" provided me with a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by previous generations of Vietnamese Americans. It shed light on the challenges they faced in adapting to a new country while preserving their cultural heritage and traditions. As someone who has grappled with questions of identity and belonging, seeing the struggles of those who came before me helped me appreciate the complexities of my own journey as a Vietnamese individual living in America. Not only did the movie shed light on the history of the Vietnam War, it also prompted me to reflect on the experiences of my own parents and their struggles during and after the war. As I watched the film, I couldn't help but think about the sacrifices they made and the hardships they endured to provide a better life for our family. Their fortitude during devastating times served as a source of inspiration, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for their unwavering love and sacrifice. In conclusion, "Vietnamerica" was a deeply moving and impactful film that allowed me to connect with my history and past on a steeper level. Through the stories of Vietnamese refugees and their experiences in America, I gained a newfound appreciation for the resilience, strength, and resilience of the Vietnamese people. Despite the pain and hardships they endured, their stories serve as a testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.” ~ By Britney Nguyen
