Publisher's Synopsis
Book Description: Non-Fiction, Feel-Good, Motivational, Suspense, Love-Story, Romance, Teamwork, Dedication, Honor, Spiritual, Metaphysics, Courage, Curiosity, Community.
In 2015, Miki Nguyen appeared in an Oscar-nominated film called "Last Days in Vietnam", written & produced by Rory Kennedy, the youngest daughter of Robert F. Kennedy. In the film, Miki talks about his father and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter on April 29, 1975. After running low on fuel and carrying close to 20 passengers on board (including an 11-month old baby girl) Ba Van Nguyen, a Lt. Colonel in the South Vietnamese Air Force was forced to heroically & dramatically ditch the helicopter at sea after saving everyone on board. "There was only one CH-47 that came to the USS KIRK FF-1087 in April 1975," explained Paul H. Jacobs, Captain, USN (retired) Commanding Officer, USS Kirk. "Ba Van Nguyen hovered the helicopter over the fantail of the KIRK, while his passengers jumped out into the arms of the KIRK crew. He then came to the right of KIRK, rolled the helicopter to the right and jumped out on the left side, saving his own life against amazing odds. He was a very brave man and he accomplished a remarkable feat in order to save his passengers and family." This book, written in a motivational, easy-to-read "feel good" style format, FOLLOWS-ON the success of the film with more personal amazing stories, pictures and heroic tales that will hopefully inspire and empower the reader to overcome their own personal challenges and struggles. Just like the film, this book is packed with real-life stories of bravery, courage, heroism, teamwork, and other inspiring themes. Throughout the book, Miki delves far more deeply into that fateful day - April 29, 1975 -- The Fall of Saigon. Aside from the dramatic Chinook ditch, Miki also relates stories of love, teamwork, and devotion that his parents shared for each other from the first day they met. Upon reaching America, the family had to kick start life all over again as refugees during the summer of 1975, with no money, no English language skills and three young kids to feed. These are the stories Miki shares, again in anticipation of inspiring the audience with his own family's personal struggles, and the ability to overcome them. Viewer Feedback: "I have to tell you, by the time I was finished reading it, I was crying like a baby. For a brief moment I felt like part of the Nguyen family. I pray that as I go through this life, that I'm half the man you father was." - ML "Miki, I've been meaning to email you ever since Last Days in Vietnam premiered on PBS at the end of April. Such a wonderful thing to have the movie and your testimonial on a public television channel! I've been telling everyone I can to see it as its now available online!" - PU "I just finished watching the Last Days in Vietnam documentary on PBS. I felt compelled to write you and express how powerful and moving the movie, and in particular, your family's story was. You did a fantastic job and I tip my hat to your parents." - SJ "Hi Miki - Thank you, thank you - you honoring your father, for remembering and sharing your family's legacy. Many people view their fathers as heroes - your dad exemplified the term 'hero' not only be the unfathomable heroic feat that fateful day in 1975, but moreover how he lived his life for his family, leading by example and setting such high expectations for you and your siblings. " - HK
