Our wedding...

We got married on Saturday, May thirtieth. A simple ceremony and vows exchange in front of my parents was short and sweet.





The reception took place at a Chinese restaurant in Cho Lon Province. We had a blast... celebrating with family and friends. We're back to work as husband and wife in the following Monday with a big hangover. No honeymoon... can you imagine that?? But we're very happy, full of love, and contend with our life. Here are few wedding photos from my old album ...

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude (I Corinthians) —Bible

On the day of our wedding Fred with his best men Captain Meyers (L) and Tom Brozowsky (R) carried traditional Vietnamese dowdry trays of beetle nuts and leaves, fruits and whiskies) to his bride's home for ceremony. The trays are covered with satin red cloth. Picture below was Fred and my older brother Vinh Phu who died shortly after our first child (Steven) was born.


Our custom is that the groom must buy jewelries (ring and earings) for his bride and he has to present the dowdry in front of her parents before the ceremony.











At left - Fred putting a ring on my finger while my mom putting earing on me with the help of my aunt. Dad is observing at right.














Walking out to the car belongs to Tom Browzowki which he decorated with flowers for us and heading to the reception...


Here are some pics at the reception...

Above is Fred, my Mom, me and my Dad

"One of the oldest human needs is to have someone to wonder
where you are when you don't come home at night."
—Margaret Mead



Here we're going around each table to greet family, friends and receive well wishes and toast... lot of toasts.

Our wedding cake... though its small, sweet, and oh so... very romantic.

"We all mold one another's dreams.
We all hold each other's fragile hopes in our hands.
We all touch other's hearts."
—Unknown

Above left is our boss, Colonel Anderson is giving us best wishes. Fred is watching me gulping down a shot of toast.

More well-wishes and lots of toasts.



Pouring a beer for my husband, and sitting down with friend.

With my sisters, cousin, niece (PhuongDung), and my sister-in-law.
Picture at is with PhuongAnh, my younger sister.

In memoriam

Today, September 18, 2007 marks a-14 years anniversary of Fred's passing. He was my beloved husband and my one and only best friend. He was a wonderful father of our two children Steve and Jennifer, and his four sons: Rick, Jeff, Dan, and Mike of his first marriage. He was a great brother of Bob and Geraldine.

He was loved by everyone who knew him. He brought many happy time and fondest memories to me and our children. He was full of life, energetic, intelligence, thoughtful, kind, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Below are some pictures of him from my photo album. I hope that they will bring a smile to you and warmth to your heart as they do for me.

Our vacation (pic above) in Hawaii after he retired from Navy in June 1977.

At left, Fred puts up the flag in front of our home. Fred graduated (BS degree) from Univ. of Maryland. He also received an MBA degree from Univ. of Frostburg two months prior to his death.

With Steve and Jennifer in Falls Church, VA.

Above left. With Steve, Mike and Rick. With his four sons in Dec 1968.

Vietnam, second tour of duty

October 1969 Fred was reassigned for a second tour of duty in Vietnam. At first he was to report to COMNAVSUPPACT in Saigon as Enlisted Personnel Officer to relief Lieutenant Donald E. Towne, USN. But later, he requested to change his order to HQ, MACV to relief CWO2 John Sutphen who was an admin officer at the time.

His responsible was the same as his first tour. In addition to the administrative work, he was assigned as Adjustant General for DMA.

All the civilian employees at the agency was so happy to see Fred returns for his second tour. I was especially thrilled that we are now reunited.


Fred is congratulated upon receiving the Army Commendation Medal from Secretary of the Army for his distinguish achievement during his assignment at DMA. He was presented the medal by Colonel James Reiddy, Chief, Data Management Agency.

USS Sperry (AS12)

In December 1968 after finishing the justice school in Newport, RI. Fred moved to San Diego, CA for a new assignment.

He reported to USS Sperry (AS12) for duty as Legal Officer and Personnel Officer. Responsible for general admin and counseling for 1150 officers and enlisted crewmembers. His assignment was ended in September 1969.

Newport, Rhode Island

In late 1968, he returned to States and attended Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Studied in U.S. Navy legal officer training encompassing rules of evidence, substantive law and rules, and procedures.

Course prepared officers for assignment to ships and stations as Legal Officer and is primarily prosecution oriented.

Vietnam, first tour of duty

Subsequent to his survival training school, Fred's new assignment was a tour of duty in Vietnam ... a hazardous combat zone!

October 1967, Fred reported to duty at the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Data Management Agency (DMA) in Saigon. I've just began working there for about 3 months as secretary and interpreter for the chief of DMA. Our temporary office was on the Pasteur Street and later moved to a new facility inside the Tan Son Nhut airport. Our office combined with many local national civilians, U.S. armed forces, and American programmers/analysts from big companies such as IBM and CSC.

He was responsible for general admin and personnel matters for 150 military from four services (Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine) and local national civilians.

In January 31, 1968, Tet Offensive was launched by Viet Cong (North Vietnamese). A massive attack more than 100 of towns and cities. Thus, the North Vietnamese promised to observed the lunar new year (Tet) celebrations.

Our building was hit with motars and the office was closed for almost a week. Fred was driving with his commanding officer in downtown Saigon and they were attacked by Viet Cong, luckily nobody was hurt.

He coordinated building construction for the physical plant and later installation of a mainframe computer. Responsible for all security, transportation and all logistic matters related to operation of the first computer facility located in a combat zone. Our building was situated directly behind General Abrams' compound who commanded military operations from 1968-72.

He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal from the Secretary of Navy and Joint Service Commendation Medal from Secretary of the Army for his merioustious achievement of this duty.

His tour was ended in October 1968 and returned to States.

Naval Amphibious Base, CA

In September 1967, Fred went to survival training class at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado and Camp Pendelton in California. Study in survival techniques for application in seashore, mountainous, or prisoner of war environments. Practice field training as well as class room instruction. Class ended in October 1967.

Promotion

Subsequent assignments prior to his receiving a commission as an officer included USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619 Blue) Staff, COMSUBRON Eighteen and Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit, University of Illinois.


Fred was appointed to Warrant Officer (WO1) from Chief Yeoman in 1967. A congrats from his commanding officer at left, and posing with his father at right.

University of Illinois NROTC Unit

In July 66 through September 67. Fred was assigned to University of Illinois NROTC Unit. As a Leading Yeoman, he responsibles for all administrative and personnel matters for staff officers and enlisted members as well as ROTC records for 250 midshipmen attending classes at University of Illinois. He was also a naval science instructor for submarine operations portions of freshman and sophomore naval orientation classes. He operated submarine component of shipboard trainer used to simulate actual at sea operations for practical training of mishipmen.

Yeoman "B" School

From May 1965 to July 1965 Fred was advanced to Yeoman School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Studied advanced course in administrative and personnel curriculum including personnel records maintenance, navy correspondence, naval justice (legal matters), personnel career counseling, and English grammar spelling. He was graduated first out of 14 students with a 91.54 grade point average out of possible 100.

He received a Good Conduct Award (his fourth award) from the Department of the Navy for his Fidelity Zeal Obedience as Yeoman First Class in the U. S. Navy. This award was presented to him on 30 June 1965.

Receiving a medal

Fred was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 17 October 1967 to 11 October 1968.