克利夫兰及周边地区消息

The Resurrection of One World Day

by Attorney Joseph Meissner

   But today a beautiful Cleveland Sunday, the peoples of peace and friendship are reopening their gardens and inviting everyone to gather with them as we once again proclaim this joyous Cleveland Holiday. These almost forty older gardens in the next few years will be welcoming at least four new gardens including Egypt, Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Columbia. My fifty-year friend, the Chiricahua Apache Nation Native American leader, Robert Roche, after many conversations with Executive Director Gia Hoa Ryan of the Vietnamese Cultural Garden, has promised to erect a Native American garden complete with traditional Tee-pee in the land set aside in the garden area for the American Indian nations, numbering some 650 strong, So ethnic life is thriving here.

   Today, Director Ryan had roused all her staff and workers at five o’clock to rise up and get busy. It is already late for the Vietnamese people who in their homeland are awake by 4:00 AM, getting ready for the day at the markets and city places of schools, factories, and businesses. Today Ms. Ryan has to instruct everyone on what has to be loaded in our are huge U-Haul Truck. There is the colorful three-wheel taxi which takes four people to lift and insert into the truck. There are all the twenty chairs.
“Why the heavy metal and cushioned ones,” she challenges her Assistant Director Joseph Meisner. “Because these are softer and stronger,” he responds firmly. “The people will not fall off like they might from the flimsy wooden folding chairs.”
   So the chairs are popped on, and then all the flags and the new dark green street-wide banner made by Dee at Hot Signz on St Clair Avenue. She has added bamboo shoors to the heavy green cloth as well as the image of our Vietnamese Lady Statue which will one day grace our Garden’s center. Vietnamese Community President Kha Duong, Cao, and Assistant Garden Director David Thi have arrived to escort the truck over to the Vietnamese Cleveland Headquarters building. There they will load on the new Wooden five-feet tall image of the Lady with her flowing ao dai robes and her red brick base. This is to be placed in the garden center as prelude to the eventual fourteen-foot white marble statue. The driver of the truck will be our ever faithful veteran chauffeur Joseph Volpe, a Cleveland attorney who protects the children and schools against rapacious property owners who seek to shrink their property taxes, thus depressing the moneys available to maintain our schools.
The caravan journeys up the freeway to the garden entrance where they are greeted and approved for entrance by Garden Executive Director Lori Ashyk, her crew, and stalwart members of the Cleveland Police Department whose protective services we need. After passing through this checkpoint, we steer slowly to the Vietnamese garden and unload all the gear and sort out our four large tents, tables and chairs. We must hurry because we need to timely complete our early morning flag and anthem ceremony, fit in twelve speeches, and start the food preparation. Overseeing all this hustle and labor are Director Ryan, the Garden First Assistant David Thi, Dung Luong, and Joseph Meissner. Tan and Phuong assisted by Tam supervise the arrangements for our Vietnamese and Asian foods and beverages including the famous rich- brown Vietnamese coffee which is the most special coffee in the world and produced by Vietnam that is the second largest producer of coffee after Brazil. Our three Vice-Presidents Doan Luong, Cao, and David Thi helped with overall activities.

   We had planned to begin our traditional opening ceremony at 10:30, but because we must transport all of our people over two miles to the Irish garden where the parade will commence, we begin earlier at just after 10:00. We line up with a row of beautiful Vietnamese women in their flowing ao dai’s (the Vietnamese women’s dress with its tight-fitting blouse, and then streaming double front and back panels covering white pants. So many colors, so that their dresses and the ladies outdazzle the warm sun and high blue skies filled with clouds. Behind this front line is a second line for the men all dressed in their suits. These form the audience for the beginning ceremony, prayers, and speeches.
   President Kha has set up the loudspeaker and music equipment. We begin with all standing at attention. We raise her hands, and acknowledge and salute our two flags, On the left is the historic Vietnamese flag of gold crossed at the center by three red stripes. The top red stripe symbolizes northern Viet Nam and the capitol of Ha Noi. The center red stripe is for the middle region of Viet Nam boasting its two major cities of Da nang and Hue. This Da Nang is where the American Marine soldiers landed in April 1965. Of course, this was the Marines second Vietnam landing because they had first landed at Da Nang in 1846 when eighty of their number were called from their Ship of the Constitution to rescue people who were about to be massacred. They accomplished that mission, saved the threatened Vietnamese, and fulfilled their mission without any loss of human life on all sides.
   We play the South Vietnamese National anthem and sing the powerful opening lyrics:
  Oh citizens! Our country has reached the day of liberation.
  Of one heart we go forth, sacrificing ourselves with no regrets.
  For the future of the people, advance into battle,
  Let us make this land eternally strong.

Then comes this pledge:
  We the People remain resolute in our hearts and minds.
  Courageously we will fight such that everywhere,
  The Glory of the Vietnamese forever resounds!

The anthem concludes with this sacred commitment:
  Oh citizens! Hasten to offer yourselves under the flag!
  Oh citizens! Hasten to defend this land,
  Escape from destruction, and bask our race in glory,
  Make its name shine, forever worthy of our forebears!

   We include the entire anthem about the Vietnamese flag which the Garden Federation has so far refused to allow our community to freely fly this flag of freedom. Instead the Federation has insisted that the Community can only fly the Communist flag with its gold star on a red background. This latter flag against which 275,000 soldiers of Viet Nam gave their lives, adding to the 58,000 US soldiers who fought and died, and thousands of other Allied soldiers sacrificed their lives. In other words, the Garden leadership would add to the sorrow of our people and would allow America and Vietnam’s enemies to strut in triumph over a garden which does not belong to them and they do not support. “We shall never do that,” swears Mr. Toan Huynh a brave naval officer from our Ally. His words are echoed by other ARVN heroes who live in Cleveland and who will never bow in submission to their Communist enemies nor to the current Federation leadership.
   After the Vietnamese national anthem, the American flag is saluted and we sing the Star-Spangled banner. While some in America mock their flag and our anthem, these words are still appreciated and greeted by the Vietnamese community who love their new Second Motherland. It is not necessary to quote the entire American anthem, but we should always hope to respect the last four lines of our first stanza

  And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
  Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
  O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
  O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

   The beginning ceremony finishes with a moment of silence. During this time, we remember all the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice including Vietnamese and allies. We remember all who perished during the war, and that even includes those on the other side. While they erred in what they did, still we must not forget their Vietnamese courage.

   Next we welcomed our speakers and their remembrances,
First was our longtime Cleveland veteran Leader Sean Ennis. “My speech was very brief, which I had promised so we could all get to the Parade on time. I introduced myself as the representative of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 15. I noted that we have had the privilege of actively supporting the Vietnamese Community in Cleveland for more than thirty years. I thanked them for their gracious hospitality during that period and that we look forward to working with them in the future.”
   Sean’s brief but generous words of welcome were followed by LTC Ernest Minichello’s discourse who compared the Vietnamese experience to that of his amazing Italian ancestors: “I built my presentation around the similarities of my immigrant Italian grandparents experience in establishing themselves in America and Cleveland and how the Vietnamese community have done the same thing. I thanked the community for being here and expressed my opinion that they make great American citizens!”
   He was followed by the always eloquent and passionate Community Leader, teacher, Naval officer, and spokesperson Toan Huynh. Here is complete speech:
   “Good Morning everyone! As a member of the Vietnamese Community in Cleveland, I am so glad to be here with all of you to celebrate One World Day. I came to live in Cleveland in 1980 as a refugee after the war in Vietnam. I knew and I saw a lot of Vietnamese refugees who became successful while living in this city. I feel like a plant that was placed in good soil where it was able to grow and bloom beautifully. We, as refugees, greatly contributed to the workforce and to all aspects of daily life including society within the city of Cleveland. This cultural garden is a point of pride for the Vietnamese Community to share our beautiful culture with other nations. Here, we can show the strong diversity, and pluralistic of the city of Cleveland. It is also historical evidence of the contribution of the immigrants who helped make this country magnificent. And it is also an amazing souvenir for our next generations to inherit. I am so thankful in remembrance of our soldiers who sacrificed their lives by fighting for our freedoms so all of us can live a better life. I also thank the city of Cleveland authorities for creating this fantastic garden. Thank you, Ms Giahoa Ryan, Mr. Joe Meissner and the [Friendship Foundation] organization team in making this event successful. Have a great day!”
   Mayor Ronald Falconi next addressed the audience. He said, “Thank you very much for inviting me again to this ceremony. I have been here before and this is a very beautiful occasion. You know I am not from Viet Nam, I am from the Philippines. (“Yes,” someone from the audience called out, “but you were with us as an ally in Viet Nam. You contributed medical help as well as information about growing the new rice.”) Yes, you are right. We were with you. I want to again say, how proud I am to join you and I wish this Vietnamese garden every grace and blessing.”
   Joseph Cimperman, Global Cleveland President, added his congratulations for the Community’s success on this Garden. He also urged all to remember our Afghan allies and interpreters at this time when they are suffering as the Vietnamese suffered in April 1975 when Saigon fell. Joseph Meissner joined this: “We must pray for our Afghan friends and America must never desert them.”
  Other scheduled speakers included David Thi, the Assistant Coordinator for our Garden; Community Leader Hach Pham; and Pierre Bejjani, President of Cameo who heads up the Lebanese Cultural Garden
   A late addition to our speakers was former columnist for the Catholic Universe Bulletin and Vietnam veteran Lou Pumphrey. At the ceremony Lou carried his usual American flag which has a recognized symbol of peace in place of the fifty stars. Here are his painful comments:
   I've been promoting peace for at least 10 years to people--folks going to Browns games, Indians games, Parade the Circle behind the Art Museum, Blossom Festival Parade in Chagrin Falls, Memorial Day Parades in Shaker Heights.
   Over the years some people have said to me, "Your flag desecrates the American flag...disrespects the American flag." And I reply, "Well, I have a different perspective. I was in Vietnam for a year and from my perspective, it doesn't disrespect or desecrate the American flag. It respects peace. People who have not been in a war, have not experienced the bitter taste of war, can never ever respect peace to the same degree I do. It just can't happen.
   We all know there is a flagpole above the White House. If I had my way, I would put my peace flag on that pole, but I would fly it above...ABOVE...the American flag."
   The concluding speaker was Dr. Wael Khoury who is the President of the Garden Federation. He spoke, “Thank you for inviting me to address you. Let me congratulate you on all the progress you have me in constructing your garden. It is very beautiful. I wish you all the good fortunes to complete the garden and hopefully that will happen by our next One World Day in 2022. Thank you again.”
   After the speeches, Director Gia Hoa Ryan had some very special nominations and awards. The first was for the Senior Ambassador for the Garden, Mr Hach Pham. He was awarded a beautiful sash which Ms. Ryan and Ms. Dung Luong draped over his shoulders while we all clapped. The second was Ms. Ryan conferring a Certificate of Excellence on the Youth Ambassador, Julia Duong. She also received a beautiful purple colored shoulder sash. Here were Julia’s words of acceptance:
   Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I have seen the amazing things you have done for this garden, and I hope to help it grow. Here at the cultural gardens, it’s our duty to spread the beauties and joys of our traditions. Traditions are tradition for a reason, and we must help them stay. It is incredible how you (the Vietnamese Cultural Garden Committee) have brought Vietnam here. Again, thank you for everything.”
   Mr. Hach Pham then gave his thank you for the nomination and praised the Friendship Foundation and Director Ryan for all she has done. Without her leadership and financial contributions, there would be no garden.
   Director Ryan thanked him and praised the audience for all their support over these many years. “Today we will have a Forever Remembrance table by the center statue which talks about our fun-raising activities, some of our caring donors, and the bricks and stones available for individual and family inscriptions. I again want to thank all of you for your support. We now must form up while Tran and Dung prepare us for the parade.
   We had expected two buses which would carry our marchers to the Irish Garden that is at some distance from the Vietnamese garden.
   We have many mature citizens who beg to march in the parade. We do not want them to experience any health problems.
So we all waited…. and…. waited…. and waited.
   No bus. Even Johnnie Wu, the overall Director for One World Day, drove by and could not help us find a bus.
   Finally Tran and Dung decided, “Let’s go. We are tough Vietnamese and we can make the walk to the Irish garden.”

   So we set out, Attorney Meissner being carried in the cyclo driven by Tan, and others walking on the street proudly carrying our new street banner flashing the words “Vietnamese Cultural Garden.” These are surrounded by Bamboo branches and the picture of our Lady’s statue.
   Our people walked the two miles, only getting a ride toward the end from two golf carts. Assisting the parade was Little Michael, Saigon restaurant Owner Buon, and many others too numerous to list here.
   We arrived just in time for the beginning of the parade. Meanwhile President Kha played traditional and inspiring Vietnamese music from his modified bike. This kept all our spirits up.
All along the parade people cheered our Community, our banner, and our many Vietnamese flags of the three red stripes on the gold background.
   At the end of the parade we dispersed back to our garden to a waiting feast of foods, coffee, and sweets.
   At the center of our garden, we had a large poster with this message:

FOREVER REMEMBRANCE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASSISTING US WITH THE VIETNAMESE CULURAL GARDEN.
THEY HELP WITH THEIR DONATIONS, THEIR LABORS AND ACTIVITIES, AND THEIR INSPIRATIONAL SUPPORT.
ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER AT THE GARDEN SITE.
WE HAVE 30 CONCRETE STONES AND 254 BRICKS IN THE GARDEN CENTER AROUND THE MARBLE STATUE OF THE VIETNAMESE WOMAN. SHE REPRESENTS ALL WOMEN. (CURRENTLY SHE IS “UNDER CONSTRUCTION” IN VIET NAM. ALL THIS SCULPTURE WORK HAS BEEN GREATLY SLOWED DOWN BY THE COVID THREAT.)
WE WILL BE HAVING YOUR NAMES CARVED INTO THE CONCRETE STONES
AND BRICKS.
TO THE RIGHT OF THIS NOTICE, HERE ARE SAMPLES OF THE BRICKS, THEIR SIZE, AND THE INSCRIPTIONS. ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND MORE HAVE ALREADY DONATED.
YOU CAN SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO FRIENDSHIP FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN VIETNAMESE, 2234 WEST BOULEVARD, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44102
   Here are the names we had on the bricks as samples of inscriptions. (These are real donors’ names.)
DR GERHARD FLEGEL
DR. MARTIAN TALIAK
DR. RIEDESEL
JUDGE RAYMOND PIANKA
MRS KAREN PIANKA
DOAN FAMILY
JASON LIN AND FAMILY
JUDGE MICHAEL JACKSON
ATTORNEY PATRICK McLAUGHLIN
COL FRANK KING AND FAMILY
ATTORNEY DENNIS SEAMAN
  Many stopped and read this explanation. Many then donated for the garden
   While all of this was taking place, we were participating in the “Passport Program.” Young people would stop by the educational table where they were welcomed by Betina Meissner, Malinda Dang, and Attorney Thomas Similie. Upon answering our three challenging questions on Viet Nam, her people, her geographical location and some language words of Vietnamese, a sticker of the Vietnamese flag was glued into their passport books.
  The day ended at 6:00 in the evening as everyone helped to take down all the equipment and flags, and carefully filled our U Haul truck. Once we had trekked back to our west side locations, everything was gently unloaded and stored up for next year’s One World Day which is only 364 days away.
   “Thank you,” Executive Director Ryan ended the day. She stated. “A gigantic thank you to all and I invite everyone to make frequent visits to our garden during the year.”