Residents remember Ngo Dinh Diem

Lang Kieu, Mac Nguyen and Thinh Nguyen stand together in uniform before the start of the ceremony to commemorate Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of South Vietnam.
Tribute being given to President Ngo Dinh Diem, the fallen Generals, officers and citizens of South Vietnam during the Remembrance Ceremony, held at the US-VN Freedom Fighters Monument in Freedom Part, Saturday.
The Prisoner (TÃºca) band, formed by former political prisoners of Vietnam, sings for human rights and freedom of speech for Vietnam at the ceremony to commemorate Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of South Vietnam.
Hoang Doan, a former South Vietnamese officer, remembers Ngo Dinh Diem as he looks at the many photographs on the lawn of Sid Goldstein Freedom Park during the commemoration ceremony, hosted by the South Vietnamese Marines Veteran Association.
Along with her mother, Lisa Hoang moved from the north to South Vietnam to follow Ngo Dinh Diem.
Former South Vietnamese military carry a painting of Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of South Vietnam, to the alter during the Remembrance Ceremony dedicated to the great Vietnamese Freedom Fighters. Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated in 1963.
Dai Gia Truong and his mother Hoa Thi Truong flew to the United States in 1984 under the Orderly Departure Program. "We came here today to celebrate the ceremony of the ex-president Ngo Dinh Diem," Dai Gia Truong said.
Charlie Nguyen Manh Chi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Remembrance Ceremony, gives his statement of President Ngo Dinh Diem and his companions, civilian and military who have fallen in defense of independence, democracy and freedom for the people of Vietnam.
Tri Ta, Mayor of Westminster, front, with Councilmembers Diana Lee Carey and Sergio Contreras, walk to the alter with their wreath of flowers to commemorate the fallen heroes of South Vietnam.
Hiep Luong, left, in tribute for his father, with Hoang Nguyen, Hien Le, and Quang Tran, former South Vietnamese military, during the Remembrance Ceremony of President Ngo Dinh Diem and his companions, civilian and military.

By Doug Morino | dmorino@gmail.com | Orange County Register

November 5, 2013 at 10:25 p.m.

Waving flags and beating drums, former South Vietnamese military members paused to remember Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of South Vietnam. They were joined by residents and Westminster city officials, including Mayor Tri Ta, who migrated to the U.S. with his family when he was 19 and became the first Vietnamese-American elected mayor in the U.S. when he took office in 2012.

The ceremony Saturday to commemorate Ngo Dinh Diem was held by the South Vietnamese Marines Veteran Charities Association. Diem was assassinated in 1963 after a military coup.

The event at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park included a traditional memorial ceremony, wreath placing and patriotic songs.