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The Vietnamese Cultural Center, 2236 SW Orchard St. in West Seattle held its outdoor ceremony today to honor fallen soldiers in Vietnam, and to commemorate its new Fallen Soldiers Memorial, a black granite monolith. It was donated by Dr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, MD, of Tacoma who was honored as the sun came out for the bittersweet festivities. Within four vertical white circles placed on the front of the monolith are written "TO", "QVOC", "GHI", "ON", which translates roughly to "The Nation Will Always Remember Those Who Sacrificed". These words were also printed in gold on a white banner wrapped across a floral wreath carried and then set at the foot of the memorial.

The Center explained that The Fallen Soldiers Memorial honors the heroes of South Vietnam's armed -forces and 58,000 U.S. serviceman who fought for freedom and democracy of Vietnam.

An American Vietnam veteran who attended was asked to make an impromptu speech by Vietnamese event organizers.

"Memorials like this are very important because it allows the generations to follow us to remember all the different sacrifices and contributions we gave," Dirk Klover, of Tacoma, told the attendees. He served in 1969.

He then told the West Seattle Herald, "I never got a parade when I came home from the service and wasn't treated very well. But the Vietnamese community is treating us like we should have been. I think this is great."

A poster affixed with 21 portraits was held up by the center's director, Lee Ducly Bui. It was then lit on fire in dramatic fashion. He later explained to the Herald, "These photos were of people from America, France, and Australia who went to Vietnam after the communists took over in 1975 to fight for freedom, and died."

The Vietnamese Cultural Center celebrates the Vietnamese Tết Lunar New Year, Year of the Dragon, Saturday, Jan. 28. Many festivities are planned. The public is welcome. We will update with those details.