Honorable Generals
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is Cao Khac Tiep, a former Armor Officer of the Republic of Vietnam.
Currently I am a representative of the Assembly of Veterans of the former Republic of Vietnam in Hawaii.!
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the Vietnam Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 10583, and the American Vietnamese Coalition of Hawaii for allowing me to share my thought with you in this very special event.
As a result of the Geneva Agreement in 1954, the country of Vietnam was divided into two parts. South Vietnam was praised as an Outpost of the Free World in struggling against the expansion of the Communism in Southeast Asia. Together, the United States and South Vietnam Armed Forces fought bravely for almost 20 years.
After the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975, I was captured and sent to a communist concentration camp for 8 years. After being released, I escaped from Vietnam by boat and settled in the United States in 1991.
This Memorial Day, on behalf of the South Vietnamese Veterans in Hawaii, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to those who sacrificed their lives not only for the South Vietnam freedom but also for the liberty and democracy in the world.
The Vietnamese Americans, especially the former soldiers, always remember more than 58 thousand American and more than 250 thousand South Vietnamese soldiers who lost their lives as well as other thousands maimed because of the Vietnam war. The sacrifice of these freedom fighters, men and women, is unforgettable in the heart of Vietnamese people. All the unsung heroes deserved our admiration and respects.
Today, the more we enjoy the beautiful life in this island, the more we think of millions of the Vietnamese who are suffering under the communist oppression in Vietnam. We look up to you for supporting us to promote democracy and human rights for Vietnam.
In the spirit of Memorial Day, as veterans, we are gathering here to celebrate the glory of our heroes, and we will continue to serve our country in all aspects of life as General MacArthur once said, ?Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.?
Thank you very much.
Aloha!
