Congressman Lowenthal To Display Vietnamese Freedom & Heritage Flag Outside Offices Throughout Black April Commemorations

To commemorate the 41st anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War, Congressman Alan Lowenthal today raised the flag of the Republic of Vietnam, recognized by states and localities across the country as the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag, outside his Congressional offices in Long Beach, California, and Washington, D.C. The Congressman will keep the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag flying, next to the United States and California flags, throughout the April 27-May 2 Black April week of commemorations.

“The impacts of the Fall of Saigon continue to resonate throughout the Vietnamese American community in the U.S.” Congressman Lowenthal said. “This is a time to honor the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers of South Vietnam; to remember what so many lost; to celebrate the survival of millions of Vietnamese refugees—many who found their way to the U.S.; and, to praise the contributions of the Vietnamese American community to our nation.”

Millions of refugees fled the communist invasion and takeover of South Vietnam. Most were forced to flee by sea, and on their boats and ships, they flew the flag of the Republic of Vietnam.

“When the Vietnamese refugees arrived in some countries, they were asked to take down the South Vietnamese flag before they would be granted landing,” Congressman Lowenthal said. “That was an emotional time for these refugees who had lost everything and, at that time, the flag was the last symbol they had of their identity. Today, Vietnamese Americans can proudly fly this flag as a symbol of heritage and of the Vietnamese people's journey to freedom.”