Fifty Years After Black April, Memories of Saigon’s Fall Resonate

Westminster, California – Fifty years ago, on April 30, 1975, the Fall of Saigon marked a significant turning point in history. As North Vietnamese forces closed in, U.S. military personnel and South Vietnamese civilians rushed to evacuate, leading to what became the largest helicopter evacuation in history.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reported on this historic operation, speaking with veterans who experienced the chaos both on the ground and in the air. The operation ultimately evacuated around 7,000 people from the U.S. embassy and surrounding areas, with half of those being South Vietnamese.

The Vietnamese community in Orange County, particularly in Westminster, commemorates this event annually, referring to it as Black April or Tháng Tư Đen. Many, like 71-year-old Kiet Huynh, a former South Vietnamese soldier, reflect on the day as a reminder of the lives lost. Huynh stated, “It reminds me how many people in Vietnam died that day, and how many children.” His son currently serves in the U.S. Air Force, a fact he takes great pride in.

State Assemblyman Tri Ta emphasized the significance of Black April for many South Vietnamese who fled to seek freedom. “That’s the day we left Vietnam for freedom, and for the last 50 years, the Vietnamese overseas and a lot of Vietnamese in Vietnam, we continue to fight for freedom,” he said.

This year’s commemorations included a freeway dedication to Little Saigon, a vibrant community hub that emerged following the mass exodus post-Saigon’s fall. Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to officially name a stretch of the 405 freeway as the Little Saigon Freeway.

Charlie Chi Nguyen, representing Westminster, commented, “This moment not only marks the physical representation of our vibrant Little Saigon, but also embodies the spirit, culture and contributions of the Vietnamese community in our city.”

However, the event’s remembrance is tempered by a recent bribery scandal involving former County Supervisor Andrew Do, whose actions prompted calls for a harsher sentence from residents and veterans. Do, also a Vietnamese refugee, pled guilty to corruption connected to federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Black April is a somber reminder of the past, as many Vietnamese Americans grapple with the lingering scars of the Vietnam War. Tom Vo, a veteran pilot from the conflict, recalled, “We came here with nothing, and we are starting our life again.” Veteran Nick Berardino reflected on the lasting emotional scars of war, saying, “The suffering caused by war lingers long after the battles have ended. Now is the time for all of us to transform our pain into purpose.”

The commemoration this year has served as a time for reflection and remembrance, reinforcing the importance of sharing these stories with future generations. Anh Doan, a Westminster pharmacist, emphasized, “We have to make sure that the story is told and is told correctly. It’s a strong reminder of where you came from and why you are here.”

For many, the lessons of Black April emphasize resilience and the importance of preserving cultural identity and history amid adversity.