Tram Holland Speaker at Vietnam Day, submitted by Jerry Lankford
Tram Holland was born in Vietnam during the war between America and the Communist forces. She considers the men and women who served in that war as heroes, acknowledging them for the freedom and life of liberty that she has experienced. Holland was the keynote speaker at the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, March 29, at VFW Post 1142 on Veterans Drive in North Wilkesboro.
A retired U.S. Army Special Operations veteran Holland is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and Vietnamese national who worked as a government civilian with the U.S. Government as a court reporter and translator for the U.S. military in Saigon. She followed in her father’s footsteps and went into the service. There she stayed for 22 years. The following are the remarks made by Holland on Friday, March 29:
“As I stand on the end of the open ramp of the Casa-212 aircraft staring down at the St. Mere Eglise drop zone below me, with a beautiful Carolina blue sky all around, the red dirt and tall pines rush by below at a 130 mph, I cannot help to think what an amazing life I have. How in this moment, five thousand feet above the ground as jumpmaster of this airborne operation, I send the first jumper off the back of the bird, out into the rushing draft of wind watching the canopies fall and inflate I wonder, how did my life turn out this way? This is one of my John Wayne moments, living the dreams I had as a child, being ever present and fully committed. I owe my life to God, my family, and the men and women who sacrificed everything so that I could be free and pursue a life of my choosing."
“Good morning distinguished guests and visitors to VFW Post 1142’s Vietnam Veteran’s Welcome Home Celebration. A very special good morning to the men and women we’re here to celebrate and honor today. Thank you for being here as we remember the duty and sacrifices made by this particular group of veterans."
“A presidential proclamation in 2012 established the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration that will continue through Veterans Day 2025, a 13-year observance of the 50th anniversary of the war. It designated March 29th as an annual observance of Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Vietnam War Recognition Act of 2017 established March 29th as the National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This day recognizes all veterans and their families who were on active duty from November 1, 1955, through May 15, 1975, regardless of their location of service. March 29th is significant as March 29, 1973, was the date the last combat troops departed Vietnam, as well as the deactivation date for the Military Assistance Command – Vietnam, (MAC-V). The Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates there are approximately 7 million living Vietnam veterans and over 1,500 servicemen still unaccounted for. More than 58,000 United States servicemen and women lost their lives during the war."
“I have a very special connection to the group of veterans we are here to recognize. Most people not directly connected to a veteran may never know or experience the unique challenges and differences of the life a veteran has lived. While they may honor and show gratitude for the veteran’s service, they may never know the direct impacts that veteran’s service had to them or the nation. I know their impact most profoundly and I would not be standing before you today if not for the sacrifices of these brave men and women. They answered the call of duty to their country, they put the needs of the many above their own. Patriots from every corner of our incredible land, from small towns and large, stepped up to honor and support the greatest nation on Earth. They embody the quote of Elmer Davis who said, ‘This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.’
“Born in Saigon during the war, I am the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran retiree and a South Vietnamese national who worked for the United States Government. I am a niece to eight uncles and an aunt who all served in the military. I am a granddaughter to WWII veterans, sister to retired Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps veterans. I am the wife of a retired Navy SEAL and Special Operations soldier (Kevin Holland), mother to a veteran, and I am a retiree of the United States Army. I have an extended adopted family of amazing Vietnam-era veterans like Silver Star recipient Wayne Mundt, CSM (Ret) Glenn Stines, CSM (Ret) Doug Carron, Mr. Bob Turner (deceased), Mr. William Driver, Mr. Leon and Mrs. Michele Kurland, Mr. Bob Mathews, and Mr. J.L. Hendricks. These folks are incredible role models to me. Not just for their time in service, deeds unseen and unsung, but simply because of who they are as people.
"Because of the impression veterans made in my life, I chose to enter the family business. There was no question in my mind and the only path I saw ahead for me. I wanted to honor my family, the sacrifices they made, and to continue their legacy of selfless service and patriotism which has allowed me to enjoy the freedoms and the life I have been blessed with."
“Jackie Robinson said, ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.’ I have no words that can encompass the importance of the impact Vietnam veterans have made in my life. The mere existence of my family and countless other families is solely because these men and women bravely answered the call of duty."
“Our country was a fractured divided nation during the Vietnam War because of the polarizing opinions about the war. It was a disgraceful time in our nation’s history to witness how terribly our returning veterans were treated and ignored by the country that asked them to stand upon the wall and take the watch. Those men honored their country and themselves by going forward and not running away to dodge the draft. Those men and women who enlisted on their own, and those who returned for multiple tours. So many returned home defeated and confused about their mission, the successes, failures, and ultimately their impact in Vietnam. They were not greeted by the ticker tape fanfare parades of WWII or Gulf War veterans. They were greeted with hatred and spite, humiliation, and anger. A disgusting display of some of the worst treatment by citizens of their own country instead of the gratitude and thanks that were so due to these returning heroes."
"My whole life I have known the story of my own first experience on United States soil in the San Francisco airport, and of my Dad and the other brave servicemen who shielded my Mom and me from the angry crowds as we all made our way through the airport. Yet, my mother and father have never wavered in the love and patriotism they have for our great nation, even despite the anguishing treatment they received. But, that was then, and this is now. Now, we as a nation are attempting to right the wrongs done so many years ago. We, as grateful Americans have the opportunity and the obligation to recognize and celebrate this group of veterans for their service, their sacrifice, and to apologize for the years of wanton neglect. We must honor the legacy of these heroes by telling them thank you, by attending and highlighting events to commemorate this day, to share their stories, or to simply spend time in their presence to let them know that they are appreciated, they are celebrated and that they are loved by their nation and its citizens. My Dad passed away in 2006 from the effects of Agent Orange, I hope he knew how much he was appreciated and loved. Since I cannot say these words to him except in prayer, let me say aloud to you, on behalf of myself, my family, this community, and our nation, I extend with deepest gratitude our thanks for your service and sacrifice, and I wish you a most sincere welcome home. Thank you for your time and presence today. God bless you and God Bless America.”