10. Learning to Drive I needed a car after moving in with the DePhillips, So I applied for a learner’s permit. My adoptive Mom taught me how to drive, Rural roads were always good places to try. The first time I took the driving test, I bumped the front wheels into the parking barrier. The…
09. The First Time Seeing Snow Oh no, I was late for work,The room was so bright as if it were noon time.I peeked through the window curtain to look outside,The entire ground was covered in a really thick snowy white. The clock showed it was only eight,So I took the time to marvel at…
08. The Time Working at Oakhurst Tea Room Today we make banana fries and onion rings,“Debbie! show Lay how to make it.”She giggled a lot while she was cutting the banana.“Mix with waffle batter, then fry them until they’re brown.” “Cut those big onions like thisSlice them straight down about this thick.Use only the big…
07. My First Day of Work in the U.S. (October 3, 1975) I was told to come for work at nine o’clock.A short distance across the road from the motel.My first task was to vacuum the dining room.Wanting to be a good worker, I asked for more. Jim DePhillips often observed me working, I noticed.When…
06. Leaving Indiantown Gap October 2, 1975 — a date I will never forget.It’s because I was in the last batch of refugees.The American Red Cross lady met me at the bus stop;She was the one who found me the busboy job. The Greyhound bus was here at the Gap.Waving goodbye to her as I…
05. Arriving at Indiantown Gap These barracks belong to the Pennsylvania National Guard.They were used for Vietnamese refugees’ resettlement.All the barracks look identical, row after row.Without numbers we couldn’t tell one from the other. The toilets and a shower stall were only on the first floor,Located conveniently by the road side and near the doors.All…
04. On Our Flight to Pennsylvania The American Air Force Sergeant announced:“You’re all going to Pennsylvania.”After hearing that, we all got goosebumps,Pennsylvania! Too cold and our senses felt numbed. We dragged ourselves onto the buses,Looking outside despairingly, hiding our gloomy faces.When the buses arrived at the airbase,Row after row of military airplanes. We’re checkmated! They…
03. The Time We Were on Guam Line after line of people herded onto cargo shipsWhile family members clung to one another.We would leave for Guam as soon as we could;“Keep moving,” guards shouted. Mom, dad, “Where are you?” Waiting in line for meals was all we did.Mealtimes and movies were our happiest times.After movie,…
2. The Day We Set Sail to Subic Bay Captain Phạm Đình San shouted out his order:“All hands on deck! Take her to the open sea.”It’s all finished! The Republic of South Vietnam.Shed no more tears for our 20 years of civil war. The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet shadowing us offshore,Perhaps, they expected to see…
01. The Night We Left Saigon For 40 years, I’ve longed for a homecoming To live in Vietnam for my life’s remaining years. My hair is fading like the morning dew’s fate, But life is still full of challenges I must face. 1975 was the year I fled my country As a single young sailor…