Image: Unique homecoming to Vietnam for US commander      (AP)
256 Votes

Avatar foranonymous

First buzzed by: anonymous

Unique homecoming to Vietnam for US commander (AP)

AP - On the day his side lost the Vietnam War, Hung Ba Le fled his homeland at the age of 5 in a fishing trawler crammed with 400 refugees. Thirty-four years later, he made an unlikely homecoming — as the commander of a U.S. Navy destroyer. » Full Story on Yahoo! News

America is for all people and this man, with his dedication to his country, proves it. May he serve as a reminder that this country offers real hope to those who come to her shores.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+26
Reply

Many vietnamese expats will have opportunity in the future to serve both their countries to defend against the massive northern brethen.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+16
Reply

Semper Fi , Commander Le -- Your Dad would be proud.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+20
Reply

What a wonderful article. Instead of singing poor me, he rose above all the hardships. America is truly a great country.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+20
Reply

Whose side lost Viet Nam again? I thought that the only ass that was thoroughly kicked and wipped in VN was American ass.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
-20
Reply

What a great story with all the bad news,we read about now days
it nice to read a heart warming story, for once.
Your country is proud of you

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+21
Reply
MAU

I AM AN EX P.O.W. OF THE VIETNAMESE NAVY SERVED WITH YOUR FATHER IN VN AT FLEET HEADQUARTER SAIGON . WISH YOU ALL WELL IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR NAVAL CAREER.
THANK YOU USA
LUU DINH MAU .EX POW 1972.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+19
Reply

By 1975, Republican Hal Daub had been working with the North Vietnamese for three years in Omaha, Nebraska, taking US children and turning them into North Vietnamese child soldiers and Vietcong guerillas.

John McCain, with his hatred of the Vietnamese, must not have known about the past of his Nebraska campaign manager and his fellow Republican who was a traitor even while McCain was in a Vietnamese prions in Hanoi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Hal_Da
ub

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.politics.
usa.republicans/browse_thread/thread/1a4fde8c7c9
9fd8f

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.thebir
d.copwatch/browse_thread/thread/95e932dfd5e6769e


http://groups.google.com/group/alt.thebird.cop
watch/browse_thread/thread/7f42eddbfbc9f1f7

htt
p://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=29399962

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
-11
Reply
P

Once again, this country is amazing for being the incubator for all things possible. Inspirational example set by his father, a former commander himself, who came here and worked as a supermarket bag boy and became store manager. Good story.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+18
Reply

good story

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+8
Reply

As a American teenager growing up during this war and seeing the ugly things that went with it, it makes me proud to see how far we've come with our feelings. Bravo!

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+9
Reply

This story makes all the efforts to save the truly good people of South Vietnam worth it. I served in the US Navy during the war, I was based in Danang when it was a lot more than an in country R&R destination. We operated the very large deep water port to provide goods and services for the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy operations. During my time in country I met and was impressed by many people in Hue. After the TET of 1968, there were a lot fewer of the good left, I am very happy to know that Commander Le survived.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+16
Reply

Now there's an American! I am proud to have sworn the same oath Commander Le.
-Fair winds and following seas-

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+16
Reply
Ray

I think it a lot of BS, We go to Vietnam and fight for a lot of people who don't like us and get stab in the back and night, we get the Hell out and then we bring the SOB's over here and feed them give them welfer Medical a home and now we have to kiss there back BS, send then back to Vietnam and let then join there Navy.....

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
-15
Reply

I am so proud of him.A good story in many VN great stories.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+8
Reply
P

Ray Gay, the guy is a Cmdr in The US NAVY.....He was 5 when his family left RVN, he grew up an American, He is a Citizen and....he has done more for this country than you ever will...

we are starting a donation drive so that we can send Ray back to turd pile that he came from....are you the tea-bag taliban ray......

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+12
Reply

you can't choose your heritage but you must choose your loyaties...loyaty first... heritage as a side issue only...when the races and the etnics get that America can be one and thrive again...multiculturalism can be destructive in a free society just look at america, bosnia etc etc...American culture first ethnicity and heritage comes somewhere later... later...american unites ethnicity and creed divide in a democratic republic controlled society...

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+9
Reply

As a young Navy Petty Officer when Saigon fell in 1975 I participated in the massive evacuation effort and the U.S. Naval Base at Subic Bay Philippines at outer harbor Grande Island was a first stop for many... Thousands passed through on there their way to the beginning of new lives in the United States... How could anyone involved in that effort possibly imagine that any one of these might possibly serve our country as Commander of a Navy Ship... Bravo Zulu Cmdr. Le.... I salute you... Sir!

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+12
Reply
KAB

Congradulations Commander.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+11
Reply

Which proves if you come to America and work hard anything is possible. Congratulations Commander Le...We are proud of you!

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+9
Reply

Great story and one that needs to be remembered when certain ethnic groups start their whining about why they consistently fail and then blame racist white people. The man and his family arrived here with literally nothing. The same as thousands of other Vietnamese refugees. No English, no cultural similarities, no money, no job skills, nothing. And in one generation the sons and daughters of these brave people have graduated from America's best universities and attained respectable and prestigious positions. In the same period of time we have seen 2 or 3 generations of blacks go mostly nowhere. Welfare, druggies, homes with no fathers, gang violence, rape and failing the most menial tasks. You draw your own conclusions.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+12
Reply

Good stuff! Congratulations Commander Le.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+8
Reply

oboma is lying to the American people now. Please don't believe anything you just heard him say.it is all a bunch of lies. This man should be ashamed of himself,but he has no shame.He does not care if this bill destroys America. all he cares about is votes and power over the people of America.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
-5
Reply

Congrats brother, now stay true to your words and be proud to be an American

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+7
Reply
Tom

I don't lie to you.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
-3
Reply

VNCH muong nam....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARVN soldiers forever...they showed true courage, undying love and loyalty for the Republic of South Vietnam !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting this amazing heartfelt story about Commander Le...makes me very proud to be an Vietnamese American.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+5
Reply

Illuminating and inspiring. The ties between Vietnam and the United States remain strong ... and hopefully will become stronger as Vietnam becomes freer and more open.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+5
Reply

Nov.11 is Veterans day and not a day goes by that I don't think of the 58,000 Americans who lost their life in Indochina and the 100's of thousands wounded both physically and mentally.And now history is repeating itself with a different generation of Americans.I think that is sad.Make your own conclusions but never vote for another cowboy from Texas as the Commander in Chief.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+6
Reply

Why is he "VERY PROUD" to be from Vietnam. I would say America has been very good to him, and his family. He could never ever command a ship in Vietmam.

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
0
Reply
PR

That is just one of many Wonderful stories that represents America.I was on Fort Bliss not long ago and I saw active duty Japanese Military and active duty German Military on the post.We were at total War with those two Nations just a little over 60 years ago!
Only in America.What a Great Place and Idea!

posted Nov 7, 2009 |
+4
Reply
See 12 more comments
Post Comment

Want to post a comment?

Just sign in and you'll be good to go

New User? Sign Up | Sign In