Commitment to Our Afghan Allies: Fulfilling Our Debt to Afghan Collaborators
In the spirit of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which aims to assist at-risk individuals in Afghanistan, Danny Nguyen, a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a current officer in the United States Army, expresses his hope that those Afghans who risked their lives to assist our efforts in their country will find a new home in America soon.
Nguyen's sentiments are deeply personal, as he himself is a child of refugees. Forty-one years ago, his mother and her family left Vietnam with few possessions, fleeing the chaos that enveloped the city as Communist forces closed in. In a poignant echo of recent events in Kabul, Nguyen's mother and her family raced south to Saigon, witnessing scenes of despair and chaos that mirrored those unfolding in Afghanistan.
Like many other Vietnamese Americans, Nguyen's mother came to see America as the land of opportunity and freedom. Upon meeting an American sailor during their evacuation, she expressed her gratitude with a simple, heartfelt "Hello, American sailor. Hello, freedom man."
The United States responded with open arms, admitting at least sixty thousand refugees a year for several years after the Refugee Act of 1980. Over 130,000 Vietnamese refugees were evacuated before Communist tanks rolled into Saigon.
In his farewell address in 1989, President Reagan recounted a similar story of a refugee from Indochina being rescued by an American sailor. This act of kindness, he said, encapsulated the essence of America as a symbol of freedom and prosperity.
Today, Nguyen hopes to see America continue this tradition, extending a hand to those in need. He is not alone in his sentiments. Western organizations and NGOs, including governments such as Germany's and international agencies like UNHCR, are actively involved in the evacuation of at-risk individuals from Afghanistan.
Nguyen's mother worked tirelessly, earning a college degree and raising three children. Her story, and those of countless other refugees, are testaments to the resilience of the human spirit and the promise of a new life in America.
As Nguyen and his sisters strive to fulfil the American dream every day, they serve as a reminder of the hope and opportunity that America offers to those who seek it. They also remind us of the importance of extending that same hope to those who risked their lives to assist our efforts in Afghanistan.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
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