This past weekend I visited the Lapeer Michigan American Legion Hall for a special event honoring Vietnam Veterans. The event included a special ceremony remembering those missing in action, displays of items by the veterans, and an exhibit of the “Quilt of Tears” designed to recognize those affected by Agent Orange.
My own connection with the Vietnam War comes through my wife whose mom is Vietnamese. The way the story goes is that my father-in-law worked for an education program in Vietnam during the war similar to the Peace Corp. As the country was starting to come undone in April of 1975, my father-in-law decided to marry my now mother-in-law who he had hired to help him with his classes knowing the danger she would be in if she stayed in Vietnam because of her association with himself. Through a series of suspenseful turns including missing paperwork, they were married in April 1975 just two weeks before the fall of Saigon and took one of the last planes leaving the country. “At the time we left we could bring a suit case,” my father-in-law explained.”Those coming after us just had the clothes on their back, there wasn’t room for suitcases”
Considering I am now married to their daughter, you can imagine how grateful I am they made it out when they did. To be sure, while this is an abbreviated version of the story, but I hope it gives you a sense of how large events can lead to very personal outcomes. Take pause and consider how the stories of your past are shaping your life now. How do you think you’re story will be told?
Sincerely,
Thor
See more photos of this event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk98rvgZ