Fourth Annual VAAFA Fallen Heroes Scholarship Banquet a success in Indiannapolis

Indianapolis, IN – On September 30th, 2012, VAAFA held its Fourth Annual Fallen Heroes Scholarship Banquet to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Vietnamese-American Servicemembers. The Scholarship Banquet is the premier annual gathering for VAAFA’s worldwide membership as well as an opportunity to showcase VAAFA’s accomplishments to the Vietnamese-American communities.

This year, VAAFA was honored to be hosted by the warmth and hospitality of Indianapolis, thanks to the hard work of lead organizer and VAAFA co-founder,  Chris Phan (LCDR, USN) and his family and friends. Indianapolis enjoys both deep patriotic roots as well as a vibrant and close-knit Vietnamese-American community.

Over 300 attendees enjoyed remarks by local leaders, including the chapter presidents of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America. The audience enthusiastically received emcee Mr. Nam Lộc and singers Ms. Bảo Ngọc and Mr.Bằng Kiều, celebrities from the Vietnamese entertainment industry.

Over $12,000 was raised during the event, all of which will go to fund the Fallen Heroes Scholarship.

Also at the event, VAAFA elected a new leadership team, led by Ross Nguyen (LTC, US Army-retired) of Springfield, Virginia, who recently retired from the US Army after 28 years of active service (including Operation Iraqi Freedom).

Every year, the VAAFA Fallen Heroes Scholarship Banquet is held to commemorate the sacrifices of those Twelve Vietnamese-American Servicemembers who have died overseas on active duty since September 11, 2001 (and one who was killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia).

This year, six students from around the United States qualified for VAAFA’s Fallen Heroes Scholarship. Twelve scholarships are awarded bi-annually—the next round of scholarship applications will be accepted beginning in May 2014 and awarded in Fall 2014.

Past Fallen Heroes Banquets have been held in Westminster, CA, Houston, TX, and Washington DC.  Details regarding the location and date for the Fall 2013 Fallen Heroes Banquet will be determined soon.