Buena Park / Anaheim Independent Newspaper
California
Wednesday, December 30, 1998
‘Dear
Daddy’
Author
Presents Book to BP’s City Council
By
Loreen Berlin
BUENA
PARK – "Holding the powerful book Offerings
at the Wall, I couldn’t hold back my tears. The volume of
collections of the offerings left at the Wall is a moving piece of history of
our dear America. The Vietnam Wall went up when the Berlin Wall went down,"
said Linh Duy Vo, poet, as he presented his book, Dear Daddy, to
Buena Park City Council at its regular meeting.
"The
loving note left there by President Ronald Reagan is now found in 'Offerings
at the Wall.' My poem 'Dear Daddy' and the names of
more than 58,000 Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice are with Mr.
President’s thoughts. The replica of the Wall was lovingly sponsored by the
people of Buena Park recently.
"At
the opening ceremony of the Moving Wall, next to Independence Hall of Knott’s
Berry Farm, last month, I was honored to read my poem in order to express my
love and gratitude to this blessed nation.
"This
holiday season, I am here to say thank you to you in honor of all the Vietnam
Veterans who have lived and died for freedom for others and me in the Vietnam
War, especially in memory of those who never came home to America.
"Sirs
and Madams, you are America. You have adopted me with love and enriched my life
with liberty. I am blessed to live as a poet to honor all those who defend our
great country, past, present and future.
"Here are half a dozen gift copies of Dear Daddy. For each Dear Daddy is a rose in my heart. Another half dozen roses still wait for our beloved American MIAs to come home, one day. God Bless America," said Vo, who is the boy in the poem.
Reprinted with permission
© Copyright by Linh Duy Vo. All rights reserved.