My Greatest achievements in life have been the United States Marine Corps, My Wife of 36 years, My two Sons, both Honest, Intelligent, professional young men. This Tat is a gift from my young son Chris. After 40 years…He Said Go For it Dad…I Did… Thank You, Son
VIETNAM IMMIGRANT
On Saturday, July 24th, 2010 the town of Prescott Valley, AZ, hosted a Freedom Rally. Quang Nguyen was asked to speak on his experience of coming toAmerica and what it means. He spoke the following in dedication to all Vietnam Veterans. Thought you might enjoy hearing what he had to say:
35 years ago, if you were to tell me that I am going to stand up here speaking to a couple thousand patriots, in English, I'd laugh at you. Man, every morning I wake up thanking God for putting me and my family in the greatest country on earth.
I just want you all to know that the American dream does exist and I am living the American dream. I was asked to speak to you about my experience as a first generation Vietnamese-American, but I'd rather speak to you as an American.
If you hadn't noticed, I am not white and I feel pretty comfortable with my people.
I am a proud US citizen and here is my proof. It took me 8 years to get it, waiting in endless lines, but I got it and I am very proud of it.
I still remember the images of the Tet offensive in 1968, I was six years old. Now you might want to question how a 6-year-old boy could remember anything. Trust me, those images can never be erased. I can't even imagine what it was like for young American soldiers, 10,000 miles away from home, fighting on my behalf.
35 years ago, I left South Vietnam for political asylum. The war had ended. At the age of 13, I left with the understanding that I may or may not ever get to see my siblings or parents again. I was one of the first lucky 100,000 Vietnamese allowed to come to the US. Somehow, my family and I were reunited 5 months later, amazingly, in California. It was a miracle from God.
If you haven't heard lately that this is the greatest country on earth, I am telling you that right now. It was the freedom and the opportunities presented to me that put me here with all of you tonight. I also remember the barriers that I had to overcome every step of the way. My high school counselor told me that I cannot make it to college due to my poor communication skills. I proved him wrong. I finished college. You see, all you have to do is to give this little boy an opportunity and encourage him to take and run with it. Well, I took the opportunity and here I am.
Arlington faces ‘unknowns’ in burial mishaps
ARLINGTON , Va. — When the remains of a Vietnam War soldier buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery were identified in 1998 using DNA, Pentagon officials proudly said that the days of interring service members as “Unknown” could well be over.
Best horse name ever.
Best horse name ever.
USMC Brat
For my dad! SEMPER FI MARINE! OORAH!!
EGA
EGA with famous Iwo line
Never Quit
Outside of right calf
26 yrs later, First Tattoo
Old Corps tattoo
My son, Lcpl Dan Preachs tattoo for his brother Lcpl Kevin Preach
None other compares
My Father gave me this prayer on one of my trips home. He had made a habit of including a story, poem, or prayer with the letters he sent me since boot camp. Every one of them tells a story that most people wouldn’t understand, and some that can’t be told by word of mouth. But this one i believe to be the most simple and most powerful one. I had been planning on getting a new tattoo at this time but this prayer completely changed my idea about what it would be. These words embody everything i believe in and was taught by my father. My Father spent 20 years of his life securing mine and my family’s freedom. And i felt it was my time to return the favor.