upcoming book Archives - Viet Bao Louisville KY

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.

Di Tran, the author of the forthcoming book, “Drop the FEAR and focus on the FAITH”, opens up about his deeply personal, emotional journey of becoming a father. He candidly shares his fears and insecurities, offering a genuine look into the heart of a parent.

In a recent conversation, Tran revealed, “It’s emotional. I never thought that I would be moved to tears when I held my youngest child and sensed the fading babyhood in their actions.” The journey of parenthood is indeed fascinating, full of learning curves and poignant moments. Tran, like every parent, grows with his child, learns from his child, and along the way, he finds himself evolving.

In the early days, Tran admits that his parenting journey was dominated by fear. The fear of potential health issues when his children were in the womb, the palpitations experienced during ultrasound appointments, the silent prayers for the little one to have all their limbs and a healthy heartbeat. Then came the fear of childbirth, of witnessing his babies being brought into the world in the sterile surroundings of a hospital.

As they grew, new worries surfaced: the fear of his children not hearing, of speech development delays. And then the fear for their character development, of them not becoming good learners or kind individuals. Or perhaps, not giving their one hundred percent in everything they pursued.

But as time passed, Tran found his fears slowly being replaced by faith. He came to understand that he cannot control every aspect of his children’s lives. Instead, he realized that the universe would lead his children towards the path that was best for them. “All I can do,” he reflects, “is be the best version of Di Tran I can be. An image that my children can look up to and mimic.”

In this realization, he found a profound truth that has shaped his parenting philosophy: “It’s not what we say, it’s what we do and how we act that children mimic.” And so, he strives to be an example of the values he wants his children to imbibe.

With his children surrounding him – on his arms, by his side, ahead and behind – Tran found his faith deepening. He learned to surrender his fears to a higher power. “God, thank you, I surrender them to you and so myself too to you,” he states, acknowledging that his role as a parent is as much about faith as it is about love and care.

Through his journey, Di Tran shares an inspiring message for parents and soon-to-be parents. Fear is natural, but so is growth, and as we navigate the uncertain waters of parenthood, we learn, evolve, and ultimately, find faith. So, let us not only drop our fears but also cultivate faith, for ourselves and for the little ones who look up to us.