By Thom Stoddert
The period of the Vietnam War had the most wide-ranging affects on this country, more so than any other event in the history of this nation. It was a time of social, political, and even religious turmoil. That period of time spawned new meanings to words, love meant sexual freedom and freedom meant little accountability for personal actions.
Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese risked their lives so not to be under the yoke of a government that brutally suppressed their self determination. Thousands chose this country for refuge and thousands drowned at sea doing so. American and Vietnamese were allies on the field in a manner never before seen. Combat units were even integrated with Vietnamese and American soldiers. The American military went to the rescue the Vietnamese after our government abandoned them.
Sadly, most events were dark; even now there is little education of that period for following generations to learn. High school history books contain very little information for today’s students to understand a period of war that directly and indirectly affects them even now.
However, in 2011, Lan Phan Jones, a Vietnamese woman and many other members of the Vietnamese community living in Puget Sound wanted to express their gratitude to the American born veterans for the service and sacrifice to their former country. Slowly and painfully, plans were made to build a joint memorial similar to California and Texas, except that Washington’s would contain a special tribute to the women who served. Auburn’s mayor at the time, Pete Lewis, worked to have the proposed memorial built there. The Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs joined the effort as did many Vietnam veterans from both communities. Civic organizations such as the Rotary and the American Legion have supported the effort with donations.
The purposes of the Joint American-Vietnamese Memorial Alliance, first to build a bronze memorial symbolizing the united effort of men and women to keep the former country of South Vietnam able to make their own individual choices, then to provide a place to confront old memories for healing. Last, to build an organization that will provide education and understanding that is so lacking for this time.
On July 26, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Auburn, the Alliance will host a free dinner for veterans. All are welcome to participate and learn. Last year’s event was a success. This year’s is expected to be much larger.
Visit their website for more information at www.honorvietnamvets.org or call 360-491-7260.