To be able to exhibit some humor about such a traumatic experience is yet another testament to your character and that of your family. We are fortunate to have you as fellow US citizens. God bless!

Great story Dave. So glad your family was able to persevere and finally make it out.

What a great story of perseverance and strength, mind and body

Thank you for sharing

A good friend of mine has a similar escape story, dad placed in reeducation camp does time hijacks a boat for family out to US air craft carrier.
His dad was an officer in the South Vietnam Army and has stories of the time when their base was under siege and a dud grenade thrown by a young NVA being the reason my friend is here today.

Dave my dad was a Hispanic kid, a recent Catholic High School graduate, drafted and served in Army 196th LIB till he was blown up (grenade wounds while their position was under siege) and medevac'd out. His service in the Army for this country is one of his proudest achievements, though he battles the war every night in his sleep still today.

He and many others did their part for your family's old country and your new life here, glad to hear that your dad is well today.

One of my favorite things to see during the Houston Veterans day parade at the Houston National Cemetery is the Vietnam flag flown by proud South Vietnamese immigrants next to their US flag.


This country is great for its unity not its diversity.


Thanks for sharing

Ha. Great story. Your dad sounds like my kinda guy.

And I'll bet he is insanely proud of you and the mensch you've become.

Thanks for sharing!

Tough to top that story!
Glad your dad is doing well.
Welcome to America, your the family that we need here.

I am going to have to amend all of my previous posts about you Dave. I always have responded to any thread about you that you are "The Man"....

You will now be The Man II because your father is THE FREAKING MAN.

That is a great story.Thanks for sharing.

I’m glad he got out. He seems like a great guy.

What a precious gem is freedom that we are willing to give up all of the rest for it. I wish I could meet your dad and acknowledge his bravery and sacrifice. This patriot who raised patriots has earned his citizenship.

What an awesome story. Thank you for sharing with us Dave.

Epic story and glad to hear your Dad is doing well. God Bless.

I suspect that there is a whole generation of missing stories of heroism like your father's.

My parents speak very little of their escape from Vietnam. My grandmother even less so. Both my grandfathers passed long before I understood the concept of grandfathers.

Perhaps one day my Dad will recount his story to us. All I know was that he and my mom/brother were separated when they escaped, my mom heading to Thailand and my Dad to the Philippines, and that gunfire and fatalities were involved on the beach in the Philippines.

Awesome story, thanks Dave!

I am impressed!

Wow. Great story of your family's experience. What courage your Dad showed. Glad he's doing well. Give him my best and thank him for being such a courageous man and showing you what it is to be a man. All the best DT.

WOW!

Incredible story.
Thank you for sharing.
Myron

This country is truly blessed to have your father as a citizen. You’re probably alright too

What's that line? "Calm waters run deep.." very understated, and so respectful of an outstanding father and man.