The boat quietly departs in the ghostly darkness of the late October night, 1989 hoping to reach the Thailand Gulf. On board are over one-hundred Vietnamese people of all ages, some dispirited, but most happy, and brimming with hope that they will reach the promised land. This intensive escape leaves them vulnerable, and the challenges they encounter are enormous; however, it exhibits their iron will against the corrupt practices of communism. Morning comes to begin a …showed first 75 words of 790 total…

…showed last 75 words of 790 total…not possess. Holding a hamburger in my hand reminds me of my brother and sisters hungering for it so badly that they risked their lives for America. That hamburger is worth only a few dollars, but priceless to me because the price my family has paid is measureless. I am very fortunate for being the one who is at last able to have the hamburger in his hand after many years of yearning and suffering.