VOICE OF GWINNETT / FATHER'S DAY
A kiss on the cheek, then goodbye
Today is Father's Day. What magical moments did you share with your father? What special times will our children remember? We posed these questions to our Voice of Gwinnett panel.
One of those who answered was Le Doan of Lawrenceville. Doan, who came to the United States from Vietnam in the 1970s, moved to Gwinnett in 2004. Her story:
I have never really talked about my father. People don't really know. When I saw your question and sat down to compose my answer, it kept bringing tears to my eyes.
When I was 8 years old, my father came into my room. He wore his full dress uniform of a special military task force. He kissed me on the cheek and put his wedding ring into my necklace. He told me to be good and remember to look after my little brother Trung and help my mom with chores when he went to serve his country, the Republic of South Vietnam.
That was the last time I saw my daddy's face and heard his voice. My dad was captured by the Viet Cong [Communist rebel forces] in 1963. To this time, I still do not know what happened to my dad. In my heart I believe he is still alive and maybe Ñ being a prisoner of war for long time Ñ he might not remember who he was or any loved ones.
I am praying that he will be in peace wherever he might be Ñ We love you, Dad.
Now I am married to Tinh, a wonderful man Ñ a Vietnamese Marine veteran who also was captured by the Viet Cong, in 1975, and released in 1985. He came to the United States in 1994.
We have an 8-year-old son, Nam-Quoc. We very much treasure our moments with him, and we have planned many trips so we could travel together. When we are involved in community projects, we include our son so he can learn about our heritage and culture.
Our son is a happy person, and I let him know that we love him very much every day.
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