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Replying to Kim DeLevett's Story

travelplus
Explorer C

@KimDelevett 

 

I have flown Southwest Airlines since 1992 and then Unaccompanied to and from my Grandparents in Los Angeles from SJC  

 

My best reading onboard was the Spirit  Magazine since age 7 and then online Blogs. I recall reading Kim DeLevett's Story about her unimaginable journey from Vietnam to America.

 

My Mother Ann Malmuth -Onn taught Folk Dance to Students from Vietnam at Foothill College on Saturday Nights as part of their Foothill Extension Program and one of her former Students from Vietnam rented a room in the late 70s early 80s. My Mother was known in the Vietnamese Community.. They loved taking Folk Dance from her.

 

My Mother then Directed the West Valley College Dance Program and Coordinated the Honors Program and retired in 2022. I take Adapted PE classes there.

 

She often told me stories of her Students as her background is Cultural Anthropology.

 

My Father, Mother and I just returned from Vietnam visiting Saigon,Hanoi,Sapa,Hoi'An,Halong Bay and Can Thao on a private tour. It was very difficult to see the Cui Chi(sp) Tunnels and the War Museum. My late Grandmother my Mother's Mother was a Holocaust Survivor and lost her Parents and younger Brother.

 

Reading Ms Delevett's Story and her interview by Peter DeLevett for PBS Finding Your Roots deeply touched me on a profound level. I recalled reading your Story years before our trip. I never got the chance to thank you for sharing what you want though. I will share your Podcast with my Friend.

 

Our trip to Vietnam was in part to your personal story and my Mother's experiences with her Vietnamese Dance  Students every Saturday night. She paved the way for my deep appreciation for their culture.

 

I hope our paths will cross. If you are not participating in this Forum I hope  that someone will pass this along!

 

My background is Accessible Travel and I have a Podcast Travel Without Boundaries Accessible Travel. 

 

What inspires me is flying on Southwest and reading stories such as Ms Delevett's. 

 

Thanks for celebrating and drawing awareness to Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May! 

 

 

1 REPLY 1

Re: Replying to Kim DeLevett's Story

travelplus
Explorer C
Solution

Sorry I meant sharing your interview with my Friend. Perhaps you know my Mother Ann as she heavily promoted International Dance at her Dance Caravan Concerts at West Valley College.