Di Tran, a proud board member of Tri Ân and author of “Drop the ME and Focus on the OTHERS,” stands on the brink of another significant achievement with the imminent release of his new book, “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH.” As an influential figure within the Vietnamese-American community in Louisville, Kentucky, Tran is an individual of deep-rooted values and indomitable spirit.
On this July 4th weekend, as the United States celebrates its Independence Day, Tran finds himself standing on the site of the nearing completion Tri Ân Monument at Veterans Memorial Park in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. This particular setting seems emblematic of his life’s journey – a testament to freedom, gratitude, and shared heritage.
As Tran describes himself, he is a “version 1.5 immigrant,” born and educated in Vietnam until the age of twelve, after which he migrated to Louisville, KY. Here, he completed his secondary education and went on to earn multiple college degrees, showcasing his relentless dedication to self-improvement and resilience.
For Tran, America stands as the top country on Earth – a beacon of freedom, opportunity, and strength. Being part of the Tri Ân Monument, especially under the leadership of fellow Vietnamese immigrants and revered Vietnam veterans, is an overwhelming experience for him. The presence of esteemed military generals, for whom Tran holds deep respect, elevates the importance of the project for him.
The Tri Ân Monument, with its towering walls, is a palpable representation of Tran’s Vietnam roots. Its stones, twice the height of Tran and sourced directly from Vietnam, symbolize the gratitude he feels towards Vietnam War veterans from both his birth and adopted countries. The phrase “Tri Ân” means “deep gratitude” in Vietnamese, an emotion Tran profoundly resonates with.
This monument, due for completion in October 2023, isn’t merely a physical structure. It’s an enduring generational signature for the Vietnamese community in Louisville, KY, and across the United States. It’s a tribute to America, the nation that has given them so much, and a token of gratitude to the brave soldiers who protected freedom and democracy.
Di Tran hopes that the Tri Ân Monument will also serve as a teaching tool for young Vietnamese-Americans. It is a concrete symbol of their ancestral roots and their present lives, reminding them of the importance of hard work, gratitude, and giving back to the United States. As Tran so often emphasizes, the monument embodies the spirit of dropping fear and focusing on faith.
The Tri Ân Monument and Veterans Memorial Park can be visited at 10707 Taylorsville Rd, Jeffersontown, Kentucky 40299. Its profound message of gratitude and unity reverberates well beyond its physical boundaries, reaching the hearts and minds of those who understand its significance. As it stands, it is a testament to the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of immigrants like Di Tran, who continue to write their remarkable stories in this land of the free.
