Winter 2019-2020 in Japan

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