family had escaped with nothing from Vietnam . He set into motion a plan to replace medals that Pho had earned in the service of the South Vietnamese Army .
He ran the idea to the Post leaders and the executive leader . Eventually , at one of the meetings replacing the medals came up for vote .
The members of the post eagerly voted to proceed with the medal replacement .
At the presentation , Sutton spoke on behalf of the Crosby post .
“ We thank Lt . Col . Hoang and his family for the sacrifices they made for the United States of America , 1st Vice Commander Dois Sutton / retired , said .
On that day , 47 years ago , Hoang left his home shores not knowing what the future would bring , but knowing he had to move quickly . Not only did he turn lose of his homeland , but also the status he and his wife Myanh had obtained there .
“ Both of these people were degreed in South Vietnam , but those degrees were not accepted in this country , so they had to start from the bottom ,” Sutton said . “ I think that ’ s a travesty .” Pho thanked the Post members for their generosity . Hoang said he was extremely disappointed when South Vietnam fell after years of fighting alongside the U . S . forces to defend it . He said he had esteemed his values and freedom more than his life .
“ From my heart , I hope there can be a free and peaceful world , where Vietnam and all of the Communist countries can be liberated .
Myanh Hoang said the escape was so hurried that someone pitched her infant boy , just over a week old , down to them on the boat as it was preparing to depart . She said , now , looking back , she can see how God was taking care of them amid the chaos in 1975 .
“ Thank you to Lord Jesus ,” Pho Hoang said . “ Without him , me and my family would not be here today .”
Rich Flowers / staff
Pho Hoang chats with Ken Pantin at reception following ceremony where he received replacement for medals he lost in the fall of South Vietnam .
12 | Greater Athens Magazine | October 2022