Comments on: What Memorial Day Means to Me

By: Michael P. Mitchell

Michael P. Mitchell — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:34:46 +0000

Wow, the video was very touching and moving. I was astonished that I was one of the two thousand Vietnamese refugees who ended up at Camp Pendleton. I would love to contact and/or meet Lewis Beatty who was a Marine in 1975. I would like to know more about Operation Frequent Wind because I would like to trace my early childhood. I was only four when I left my motherland, Vietnam, on April 29, 1975. I also would like to get a picture of a little boy lying on his stomach while on the bunker bed because I believe that little boy is myself. I got the pictures of the refugee kids a long time ago and looked through the pictures. I did remember being in bunker and when I opened the door, a black cat ran away. It was early in the morning when this happened. If anyone wants to contact me, please feel free to contact me at my personal email address: vietasianfox45@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

By: Novelwhore

Novelwhore — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:14:08 +0000

I’m horrified I missed this post for so long but am definitely feeling the impact of your experience now, PCN. Thank you for sharing and for putting things in perspective. I’m grateful to the soldiers that brought you and your family safely here, and for all they’ve done and are still doing. You are wonderful – and yes, your mom is absolutely gorgeous.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:53:01 +0000

Wow, that’s amazing about your father. Thanks so much for your comment and for sharing this with him. What are the chances he flew the very plane I was on?? I was flown out of Tan Son Nhat on April 21. Did he fly any missions that day? I know people who stayed at the camps in AR and PA.

Thanks for saying that about my parents. They deserve all the credit. I’m quite sure I couldn’t have done what they did, which was to give up nice careers to start over in their 30s and 40s at minimum-wage jobs in a country whose language they didn’t speak.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:01:10 +0000

Make that two copies.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:59:07 +0000

I was right there with you, Julie! The apple did not fall from the tree, eh? My first thought was, “Oh, that’s Elyse!” Great photo of her mom and brother!

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:55:36 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Elyse! I wish I had had the time to go down to Camp Pendleton to see this exhibit in April. Was there any kind of photo book of the exhibit for you to take home with you?

I wanted to talk to my father about this but it was important to me that it be in person. So when I went to visit my parents the a few weeks ago, I had my father read your post then asked my question. And the answer was, “Yes.” I am prouder than I can say that my father, a retired USAF pilot, had a role in these missions, Elyse. He flew not only the evacuation missions out of Saigon to the Philippines and Guam, but also to bring the refugees to the U.S. He flew families to resettlement sites at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania and Fort Chaffee in Arkansas, as well as Camp Pendleton. (None of his missions included the other site at Eglin AFB in Florida.)

I’ve printed a copy of this to keep with my photos and memorabilia of my family’s military service. I am moved every time I read it, not the least of which is admiration of your parents and family for starting anew here in the U.S. They also have my gratitude for raising such a fabulous woman I have the honor of calling my friend!

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:37:23 +0000

I’m stealing that for the jacket blurb! After that kind of advance PR, I guess I have no choice but to do it now.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:35:41 +0000

I’ve thanked you many times for your kindness and I hope you know it never means any less.

By: le0pard13

le0pard13 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:24:32 +0000

In honor of PCN’s and your bonding over our little load lifter friend, here’s something you might like.

BTW, I re-read this post again, and it’s still one of the best posts you’ve written this year, Elyse.

Thanks.

By: Sus

Sus — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:15:01 +0000

Definitely ~ Though believe me once you get this written they won’t be able to keep enough copies printed…your stories are different enough to interest,foreign enough to intrigue,funny and touching enough to run thru every emotion and human enough to involve everyone who reads them…Go Girl GO!!!