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Show 4 A lakeside Review South, Wednesday, June 29, 1983 From Vietnam Boat Trip t Freedom By IRENI R. JANES Review Correipondent WEST BOUNTIFUL My mind was filled with fear and hope, said Ly Minh Tran as he and three distant relatives began their daring escape to freedom from Vietnam. Ly began the journey when he was nearing his 12th birthday. His parents approached him about leaving Vietnam and trying to reach America. Ly told them no several times but the realization that he would soon be forced into fighting for the Communist Army was constantly on his mind. He knew the chance that he would die fighting for a cause he did not believe in was great. Ly is the oldest son of six children. His parents left the decision entirely up to him. When Ly made the decision to attempt an escape from tightly guarded Vietnam, he knew of the danger. Ly kept in mind that anyone caught trying to escape would be shot on sight. Com- munist guards continually made public boasts of killing people trying to escape. Ly left in the middle of the night with three other distant relatives. They boarded a wooden boat slightly larger than a pleasure boat. There were 50 people on the boat. I dont know what my parents actually paid for my trip but my price was greater. I had to leave my family whom I love very much. I felt so sad thinking that I may never see them again." A constant lookout was kept as they traveled further and further out to sea. They were to meet a larger ship somewhere in international waters. After the second dreary day on the crowded boat, homesickness surpassed seasickness. The third day renewed their hope for freedom as they spotted the large ship on the distant horizon. They boarded the ship only to find that it was over ve Fear, the world. Ly and his three loaded with 2,500 people. He describes the conditions as crowded and tht there wasj not enough to eat. He said his existence on the ship was boring. Days turned into weeks and many doubts filled the young mans mind. He recalls the death of an old woman from a fall off a ladder on the ship. She was wrapped in a blanket and thrown into the ocean. The ship then circled the body three times and continued on the journey to freedom. 'Tie free people in the U.S.A. have something that many people in the world long for, but will never have' The people had traveled nearly three months. Then land was spotted. Word was sent from the Malaysian government that the ship was not allowed to dock. They were directed to stay at sea. The ship set anchor and the waiting began to wear on the tired passengers. Food and water ran out. The ship captain sent word for help. Days passed and passengers began to catch fish. Lee describes the long lines and hours of waiting to cook a meal of freshly caught fish. One day a small boat was spotted approaching the ship. A man boarded the ship with a lot of camera equipment. Many pictures were taken of the people and the deplorable living conditions. The man left the ship and more time passed. A few days later word began coming from countries that were interested in receiving some of the refugees. Food and medicine were sent while other transportation arrangements were being made. Coast Guard boats took groups of people to Malaysia to board planes to various parts oi other people that traveled with Ly got their own place in Bountiful. Ly remained with the Dewaals for two years until their departure for an LDS mission. During the two years with them John Dewaal began training Ly in the family body and fender shop at the residence. Ly was also enrolled in Bountiful Junior living with a family that had all of these plus a car and truck. Ly has been gradually integrated into the regular public school program. Although Ly speaks six languages, he is most proud of the bit of French that his father taught him before It has leaving his country. been real difficult, learning English. He will be a senior at Viewmont this fall and would like to go to college but he said, It looks like Ill be a body and . fender man instead. Legrande and Ricki Dewaal, sons of John, also of West Bountiful, invited Ly to live with them when their parents went on their mission. I am grateful and appreciate the Dewaals very much, said Ly. He tells of how the Dewaal children have filled a void he had since leaving his family. It is difficult to get letters to his parents. He never knows if they will get a letter in its entirety or if it takes months. He does know that his family is happy he made it to freedom. Ly is anxious to become a citizen in America. He said he has a strong respect for the High. He was given extensive freedoms Americans enjoy English training for the first each day without even giving a year. I have had very good second thought about. Now as he is approaching teachers that have helped me very much. Ly describes celebrating his fifth year in the school in Vietnam as different country and as the Fourth of LY MINH TRAN learns fine points of his job as he works to because teachers are strict. July approaches he wishes citibecome "regular" American. Students do not fool around or zens would remember how imever talk back to teachers, Ly portant freedom is. The free would like to serve an LDS mis- - and the people that have helped said. Students have made Ly people in the U.S.A. have someme become a part of this feel welcome and have included thing that many people in the sion following high school. I really appreciate America country. him in their social groups. world long for but will never seem in have. America People richer than in Vietnam, said Ly. He told of what freedom The most common transportameans to him. Going anytion is motorcycles and bicywhere I want without getting a cles. People have homes that permit from the government. are three stories high. Each Ly would like to return to visit family has one story and most his family someday but realizes children share bedrooms. They that it is not probable. He has have no washing machines. made some attempts to get his Communists cut the telephone family to America. communications years previSince his conversion to several years ago he ously. Ly was surprised to be I mriiTOG Mor-monis- , Mtn. Bell Will Offer DOESN'T MY. ..YOU BO! m WOODS SltT Sale Rate Mountain Bell soon will offer sale on long distance calls under the Special Hour Discount plan. During the discount period, Utah customers may make a direct dial call to anywhere within the state and talk for 30 minutes for only $1.49. In some cases, this is a 75 percent savings over existing evening discount rates. This is a new idea for Mountain Bell, according to Kenneth 0. Hill, public relations manager, but its just the beginning of a trend toward more flexible pricing. Our customers want more choice in what they pay for long distance calls and we intend to offer those choices. The special hour discount will be offered on a weeknight although the exact date or time will not be announced in advance. Hill explained the company hopes to encourage calls to family and friends by offering the inexpensive rates. When the discount period begins, heavy television advertising will announce from that moment until a specified hour, all customers within Utah may direct dial any other Utah location for the reduced price. The $1.49 rate will cover the first 30 minutes of a call made during the discount period, Hill said. If a call lasts more than 30 minutes, the additional time will be charged at the nor-- , mal rate in effect that time of evening. If a call lasts less than 30 minutes, we will charge $1.49 or the normal rate whichever is less. The discount period probably will cover two hours and calls must begin within that time to qualify for the discount. For example, if a customer begins a r call a few minutes before the discount is announced, the call will not be covered by the reduced rate, Hill said. But, if the call is made a few minutes before the discount period is over, the $1.49 rate for 30 minutes still will apply. Utah is one of the first of Mountain Bells seven states to have the program, but the company hopes to initiate it in most of the remaining areas soon. com- panions were very happy when they received word they would fly to Hong Kong and then to Alaska. After a few hours in Alaska completing paperwork they flew to San Francisco, then to a place called Salt Lake City, Utah. Ly had never heard of it. Ly was greeted at the airport by John and Myra Dewaal of West Bountiful. The Dewaals were very nice to us from the very beginning. 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