Memorial Day

It's the start of a four day week-end The best beaches are always open in San Diego, back east Memorial Day was the official open of summer. When my then two year old daughter saw the ocean for the first time, exclaimed "The pool's open" will celebrate her nineteenth birthday at the beach. Wherever you celebrate this Memorial Day, take a free moment to say "Thank you" to those men and women and their families who sacrificed their all, so may we enjoy our freedom.
If you have a free hour, celebrate the life of our ancestors and relatives at Memorial Services all across the country, names will be read aloud. The Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington, DC where the names of 58,267 servicemen (and 8 women) are inscribed is an emotional shrine. Just a short distance from the wall are bronze statue of" The Three Soldiers" identified as White, African and Hispanic Americans.If you have a free day, The Vietnam Memorial created by local artist and world renowned bronze sculptor Tuan in Westminster, Calif. is unique. An American and a Vietnamese soldier stand side by side above the words Duty, Honor and Sacrifice. The American and South Vietnamese flag (6/2/1948-4/30/1975) wave in the wind behind them. Although the Fall of Saigon was 36 years ago, Tuan, vividly recalled the date 4/30/75. "I was eleven." he said. I did the math quickly in my head- he looks much younger that his years. I wondered was he one of the 500 thousand rescued by helicopter that day?Tuan lives in Orange County where (according to 2010 census,) 400 thousand Vietnamese descendants live. He must have a very large studio. The larger than life statue of Saint Therese of the Little Flower (my patron saint and namesake) must weigh a ton.He explained even hollow bronzes are very heavy. Yet Tuan's creations defy gravity, the one I referred to was attached by a foot to the pedestal. She appeared (on point and even had wings) almost weightless, uplifting visually and emotionally."That's the goal. he smiled.

"I got it.” I thought, although I didn't know his story at the time of the unveiling of "Humanity." I read the accompany poem, to get a hint of the inspiration behind the drape of his newest piece. Tuan says "writing" is the least thing he likes to do.

"My art speaks for itself" It is emotion for the eye. He finished "Humanity" four months ago, and is already thinking of the next piece, but it remains for thousands of college students as an inspiration piece to write essays. He wasn't revealing about what the project, only that he must do art- to live."Art is my passion" Tuan declares.

He has been following his passion since he was fifteen, but at the time I didn't or never will comprehend his circumstances. He was born into wealthy family but in a moment in time privilege turned to poverty and worse- imprisonment after an escape attempt failed. It was there he picked up modeling, literally. Tuan worked the clay from the dirt floor into the likenesses of those including his captures of a concentration camp with bare hands. Eventually his talent helped him come to America, ( boat refugee in 1989) and received formal art education in Pasadena. We are fortunate he did, as he is fortunate to reunite with his octogenarian father and hasn't children of his own, enjoys his sister and her children. Crisis builds character and genius and unites us all. "Humanity" will be on display at Monarch Galleries in La Jolla.

Take the day to reflect among the basic elements; earth, air, water, fire, wood and metal, and those who fight on foreign lands for the universal theme of freedom and democracy.