Distinguished Guests, President of the Vietnamese Marine Corps Veterans Association, Respected Officers, Fellow Veterans, Families, and Friends,

I am Marine Corps Veteran Tran Van Khoe, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2025 Vietnamese Marine Corps Reunion here in San Jose.

It is my great honor and joy to welcome all of you to this evening’s banquet, commemorating the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnamese Marine Corps (1954–2025) and the 53rd anniversary of the heroic Recapture of Quang Tri Citadel (1972–2025).

The victory at Quang Tri Citadel remains a proud chapter in our military history. The Vietnamese Marine Corps Division, in close coordination with other units of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, overcame tremendous odds to defeat more than four North Vietnamese divisions in a grueling 81-day battle, ultimately reclaiming the town of Quang Tri.

But this victory came at a great cost. More than 3,600 of our fellow Marines gave their lives, and nearly 10,000 were wounded in the fight for our homeland.

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice now rest in peace. But many of our wounded comrades continue to live—struggling under a harsh regime and in difficult circumstances. This remains a deep concern for all of us: how can we raise enough financial support to send an annual gesture of solidarity to these wounded Vietnamese Marine veterans, who so deserve our remembrance and care.

These wounded veterans are not strangers to us—they are our brothers-in-arms, who once fought shoulder to shoulder with us on the battlefield. They left parts of themselves behind in defense of South Vietnam, and now, in old age, they face even greater hardship.

“Once a Marine in the Green Beret, forever a Marine in the heart.”

We must never abandon or forget them.

Time is not on our side. Let us open our hearts. Let us unite and contribute to bring comfort and joy to those comrades who have been left behind, and who now depend on the kindness of benefactors and of those of us fortunate enough to be here today.

“Wounded Veterans and Comradeship” is the theme of this 2025 Vietnamese Marine Corps Reunion in San Jose.

On this occasion, on behalf of all Vietnamese Marine wounded veterans, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the family of Nhan and Quyen Nguyen, children of Major Le Do, for their many years of generosity and support for our wounded comrades.

In particular, this past March, the Nhan Nguyen family generously donated $70,000 to the SVN-Marine Corps Charity Association here in San Jose, allowing us to send $200 to each wounded Vietnamese Marine veteran.

Once again, I offer my heartfelt thanks for this beautiful and meaningful gesture from the Nhan Nguyen family.

I would also like to sincerely thank all of you who have joined us this evening at the 2025 Vietnamese Marine Corps Reunion Banquet.

May you all enjoy a joyful and meaningful evening, and return home safely.

If there are any shortcomings in today’s event, I respectfully ask for your understanding and forgiveness.