Quang Nguyen: Thank you Viet Nam Veterans and all Veterans

Active Rain ^ | 7/24/2010 | Quang Nguyen

[Joe 6-pack]

Video of speech is available at source url.

[b4its2late]

Guess what, I did it legally and it ain’t from the state of Hawaii.

I like him already.

[brivette]

You’re welcome.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"You see… America is not place on the map; it isn’t a physical location. It is an ideal, a concept. And if you are an American, you must understand the concept, you must buy into this concept and most importantly, you have to fight and defend this concept. This is about Freedom… and not free stuff."

It's funny how usually it is the immigrant (the legals ones that is) that best understand and appreciate being an American. Those of us who grew up with this privilege can never truly appreciate what they know about, the loss of liberty and freedom.

[Amberdawn]

Lovely! It’s so nice to hear from someone who “gets it”.

[Joe 6-pack]

You’re exactly right. My ex-wife is a Korean I met while serving in the ROK. While the marriage thing didn’t last, she never failed to be appreciative for the things the US stands for and the cost of freedom.

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[JoeProBono]

[GILTN1stborn]

Ping

In the Insurance Agency where I used to work, many of the immigrant citizens were more informed and knowledgeable about the workings of government than the “natural born citizens”. Especially the ones from Vietnam. It was a pleasure to have discussions and to see how much they appreciated this country.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"My ex-wife is a Korean"

There's a perfect example, South Korea. Especially if you live in Seoul where you grow up next to a country that is hell bent on your destruction. Sure, if North Korea invaded they would eventually be defeated by South Korea and the Americans, but not before cities like Seoul would be virtually destroyed and now with the North's nuclear weapons probably glowing. It's something we don't experience and can't truly understand unless you grow up like that.

[VeniVidiVici]

It's funny how usually it is the immigrant (the legals ones that is) that best understand and appreciate being an American.

Actually I break down the group even further. The "economic refugees", legal or illegal, are the ones that look to America as a source of cash. They really could care less about the country or its inhabitants.

On the other hand the immigrants who come here because of political persecution in their homeland are usually the ones that love what America stands for and bust their nut to make sure they get a piece of the freedom pie. I welcome all such people regardless of race, etc., because THEY understand what America is all about.

[miele man]

Thanks for posting this. Makes my day.

10st Abn Div
70-71

[combat_boots]

Welcome home, guys. Welcome.

Your difficulties back home here are lessons. Your hardships and horrible, disgraceful treatment are teachers now. You can help all those who are sorely misused now.

Your strength and perseverance is a model and inspiration for us all.

God bless you all. Everyone.

[Joe 6-pack]

Glad you liked it! I thought it was inspiring.

[ScottinVA]

By one year, I was too young to serve in Vietnam before the drawdown, but my sincerest thanks go out to each and every one of the warriors who stood tall for America during that time and served in that war. God bless you all.

[unkus]

Makes my day, too.

C 1/501, 101st Airborne Div. ‘71-’72

[Does so]

My Brother-in-Law, a naturalized citizen, is on his way to Europe and the beaches of Normandy. He continues to give endless thanks to The Greatest Generation for saving his Dutch family from the Nazis.

[DustyMoment]

This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.
This is about Freedom… and not free stuff.

Thank YOU, Quang. This veteran came back to an America that did not welcome us back because of the lies of Walter Cronkite, John Kerry and Jane Fonda. This veteran came back to an America that spit on soldiers 12 hours off of the battlefield. This veteran came back to an America that denied us jobs and careers because, when our country called, we answered, and were called killers, dopers, and baby rapists for it.

Your speech reminds us that we did something good. And, THAT is worth all the pain, anguish and shame that we were made to feel for going to Vietnam.

[xvq2er]

Ping

[HereInTheHeartland]

Thanks to all of you guys for your service...