Winter 2019-2020
from Japan
Dalat Family
Thai Lang’s Legacy
Food & Drinks
Activities
Military Service
Contents
ASIA
Introduction
Page 3
The Violinist
Page 11
Highlights
Page 3
Army ROTC
Page 12
Dalat Family's Album
Page 4-5
UCI Cal Teach
Page 14
Winter Trips
Page 6-8
Birthday Celebration
Page 16
Japan Band Festival
Page 9
Gear Issue
Page 17
Yama Sakura 77
Page 10
Family Legacy
Page 18
Blackhawk Flight over Tokyo during YamaSakura 77 Photographed by Lan Dalat 2019
Contributors Dan Dalat, a Junior Mathematics major at University of California Irvine who hosts a radio talk show and Anteater TV at UC Irvine. He is inspired to become a Math teacher. Currently enrolled in the Cal Teach program.
Minnie
Artist/Mom
Daisy Dalat, a Freshman at California State University Fullerton majoring in Psychology. Daisy is an Army ROTC scholarship cadet who is inspired to become an Army oďŹƒcer.
Hanna Dalat, a 7th grader at Zama American Middle and High School who loves micro pigs and Kirby enjoys drawing, plays piano, and cracking jokes.
Minnie Dalat, a dedicated mother who strives to ensure success of her family. She managed sending two older kids to college while teaching, tutoring, caring, and preparing the youngest child for college. All in all, she supports her husband career as an Army oďŹƒcer with activities and volunteering
HIGHLIGHTS Activities Yama Sakura 77 Exercise Military Band Concert Family Reunion Winter Trip to Shirakawa-go Christmas Celebration New Year Celebration
Accomplishments
TAKAYAMA, JAPAN: Celebrating Christmas, Dalat family drives to Takayama where they emerged into the old 1600’s Edo era village that enabled them to experience the historic culture of Japan.
T
ROTC Scholarship US Naturalization Ceremony Violin Performance Anteaters TV Shows
important Family Events his winter was an exciting time for our family. For the first time in our married life, both of our kids: Dan and Daisy were away for college. So, this winter, they would come home for a family reunion that helped bringing in the New Year in 2020. This year filled with ups and downs for our family. We were in the mist of celebrating our daughter’s acceptance to college with a scholarship; our family also received an unexpected news of my father’s medical emergency that took his life on August 26, 2019. The sad news was delivered by the American Red Cross through my command channel. During that time, I had an obligation and privilege of swearing-in nine Sailors and eight civilians in the last Naturalization Ceremony of becoming U.S. Citizens in Japan. Meanwhile, my wife and children were traveling in Korea visiting relatives. The timing wasn’t any better. Our family eventually congregated in southern California for my father’s funeral along with my siblings who had come from as far as Switzerland. My father had lived a very unique life as a religious refugee, an artist, a seminarian toward priesthood, a soldier, a nonfiction author, a movie director, a political prisoner, a boat refugee,
Thai Lang and his grand children in Irvine, California
Cont. next page
Grandpa’s Memorial Service 21st Year Wedding Anniv. Minnie’s Birthday Hanna’s Birthday Daisy’s Birthday
family Channel Shirakawa-go Trip
https://youtu.be/Vo8iTpJIyRA Takayama Onsen Village
https://youtu.be/ouXTD3BGzAE
AAPI Channel 1LT Lamwatthananon
https://youtu.be/E5im4vmRmos 1LT Matt B. Li
https://youtu.be/AJrEMs6ybbY
Mailing Address LTC Lan T. Dalat PSC 704 Box 3737 APO AP 96338
Dan returns to Japan during his winter break from University of California, Irvine
Hanna writes/directs/and performs the Christmas play live on stage at her school
an immigrant, a world traveler, and died as an American artist.
Dan, Daisy, and Hanna open Christmas present at home in our government quarters at Camp Zama, Japan
meaning of his oil paintings. My brother Anthony elaborated on my father’s story telling ability that inspired people around him. My sister Christine painted a gentle and dedicated grandpa who loved all of his 11 grandchildren and willing to travel great distances to see them in despite of his health condition.
Unlike most eulogies, all four of his surviving children painted a portrait of his life and his legacy in four simple stories. I summarized his life who had gone from a peasant child in Hanoi, to a father of four college educated children in the United States in which two of them served as Army officers. My sister Michelle shared the deep meaning of his paintings. Most people only see objects and colors. She explained the deep psychological
Following the funeral, our family returned to Japan without Daisy due to the fact that her college started on the same day that my father had passed. Daisy has always interested in military service. So, getting an Army ROTC Scholarship announcement on the same day that the doctor signed the death certificate for my father was a mixed emotion. Nonetheless, we quietly celebrated Daisy’s success. She had been working hard all of her life maintaining excellent grades and leadership roles. While serving as the Cadet Battalion Commander for her high school, she managed to serve as the captain for the school’s Tennis team while maintaining a leadership role in the National Honor Society chapter. With all that on her plate, she manages to excel in academics that resulted in a 4.25 grade point average (GPA). So, for her to get acceptance and a scholarship were not a surprise. Nonetheless, nothing in this world comes easy without hard work and dedication. We are hopeful that Daisy is on track for a successful academic career.
Page 4
Family Album
Hanna walks to school for Holiday performance
Attending the U.S. and Japan Holiday Dinner in Tokyo
Hanna and Lan attend the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) Band Festival in Yoyogi Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
Minnie welcomes Daisy home from college in California.
Walking around Takayama village in Japanese traditional attire called Yukata.
Lan (left) Dan, and Minnie celebrate the New Year at the Chief of Staff’s quarters with champagne and sparkling juice
Dan, Daisy, and Hanna enjoy Shinjuku Illumination
Brining in the New Year 2020 with Dan, Daisy, and Hanna Page 5