Local Celebration Honors Vietnam Vets

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More than 50,000 soldiers died in the Vietnam War.

Unfortunately after the surviving soldiers came home many of them were shown disrespect and a lack of appreciation.

The annual Father’s Day Party for Vietnam vets kicked off inside the American Legion Post 71 in west Duluth to give back to those veterans.

Live music, food, artistic performances and raffle prizes were all part of the fun honoring men and women who served during the Vietnam War.

“For us veterans that live here we’re very honored and very happy,” Vietnam veteran David Rasmussen said. Its very heart warming and heart felt.”

The event is put on every year by Thai and Diamond dang.

Thai fled Vietnam more than 30 years ago to escape communism.

He came to Duluth where he was sponsored by a family.

Thai says instead of spending their money on a cruise they’d rather spend it on giving Vietnam vets the welcome home they never had and show them their personal appreciation for fighting for their freedom.

“Everyone here, seeing them, some of them crying,” said Thai. They stick around to the end, come wait in line to shake our hand to thank us. That’s priceless to us, it’s priceless. We will do again, again as long as I still have job. Still making some money we will do again.”

Thai and Diamond actually live in California.

They along with their band fly to Duluth every year to put on the event.