Jerry Clark
- Aug 9, 2023
- 2 min read

Freedom

I have just read Nguyen Dang Kha's book Passage to America. His story is about the horrible treatment the South Vietnamese received after the fall of the Vietnam War in 1975. It has given me a new perspective on fighting Communism in Vietnam.

His description of brutality toward South Vietnam's public officers, military men, women, and the general public was unbelievable. Their torture included beatings, killings, imprisonment for as many as ten years, and many other atrocities. Their business standards prevented any from succeeding.

The necessity to escape to other countries was their only hope, and the separation of families to escape was truly a gift of freedom at the maximum cost.

Children were sent out without their entire family, countless died in their attempt to escape. Even while it was clear that the chances of fleeing the country were unfavorable, the Communists' oppression made the danger worthwhile. Family members were sent out with an unknown fate for their future, yet the future of staying was worse than gambling on their lives.

Kha's boat was about 100 feet long and 10 feet wide and carried 350 people. There was little room to sit and none to lie down for seven days.

They faced a serious threat from the pirates and thieves who assaulted their boats. Kha's boat was raided twice by pirates. They took all they could find, jewelry, money, and anything of value. These items were the Vietnamese wealth to be used to sustain themselves until they could find a country that would accept them.

What a fascinating story of the will to survive and risk giving up their children for the possibility that they would find a better life. I understand Vietnam is a very different country today.

I love our country and the freedoms we are allowed. The thought of having to separate my family to ensure some were allowed freedom at the risk of death is a place I cannot imagine.

Sure, we are struggling within our country to see the way of others. Sure, there is discord and strife within. Yet through God's grace and blessings, we live in the finest country.

Kha's story and many others remind me of how fortunate we are to have been born in such a rich nation.

I pray we can hold together in unity.

How about you? Are you thankful that we are allowed the freedom we have?

Watch for the blind spots.

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