Honoring fallen Vietnam soldiers

Viet Le, a former Vietnam refugee who now teaches mathematics at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, talks about his experience of coming to the United States from Vietnam during a ceremony at the school May 27 honoring men and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, including three graduates of STA: Maj. Patrick Murray (class of 1960, died in 1968), Col. Richard Walsh (class of 1944, died in 1969) and 2nd Lt. Peter Troy (class of 1966, died in 1969). “I will never forget them,” said Le, 56, a member of St. Odilia in Shoreview, of those who served in the war and lost their lives. “They are why I’m here. … I have a better life now because of them.” Family members of each of the three STA grads who died in the Vietnam War also gave remarks at the ceremony. One of them, Vince Troy, 77, Peter’s brother and a member of St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, said, “This (ceremony) is spectacular — absolutely. It’s an honor. I can’t say enough for what this represents.” The ceremony was tied to the display of a Vietnam War Memorial replica that was brought to the school and remained on school grounds through Memorial Day for the public to view.