North Texas' large Vietnamese population is honoring the sacrifices of those -- Americans and Vietnamese -- who made their lives in the United States possible.
North Texas has the second largest Vietnamese population in Texas. Many have been here for decades having emigrated as a result of the Vietnam Conflict.
The people of South Vietnam who fled their homeland for North Texas are reclaiming that history by honoring the troops, from the U.S. and South Vietnam, with a sculpture of each, side by side.
The new memorial will be one of the only Vietnam memorials in the country to honor both troops from South Vietnam and the U.S.
“South Vietnam was took over by North Vietnam, and the communists tried to rewrite history,” said Thong Bui, a Vietnam veteran who fought for South Vietnam.
The Heroes of South Vietnam Memorial Foundation project just began at Veterans Park in Arlington.
“We want to do this as quick as possible so that before they pass on they will be happy to that our generation does not forget what they did for us,” said Dr. Hung Dang, Chairman of the Heroes of South Vietnam Memorial Foundation and a doctor in Arlington.
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Dr. Dang said the project aims to be complete by April 2014 – the anniversary of the fall of Saigon, Vietnam.
