Vietnamese Family Reunion a Christmas ‘Present From God’

Mail carrier Truyen (Bruce) Nguyen spent the past weeks delivering Christmas packages on his Sunland routes. On Friday, it was his turn to receive some holiday joy when he was reunited after 17 years with his parents, three brothers and a sister.

Nguyen, 32, a former South Vietnamese soldier, fled in 1975 when his government fell to the Communists. For the past six years, he and other local relatives have been battling red tape to bring family members left in Saigon to Los Angeles. Their efforts were rewarded when Nguyen’s missing relatives arrived at LAX for a tearful reunion.

“I feel happy,” Nguyen said. “What a present from God!”

Nguyen has three sisters and two brothers already living in Los Angeles. The siblings and their families formed a large welcoming party at the international terminal, greeting the new arrivals with flowers. Nguyen’s parents, Nhu and Yen, met several grandchildren for the first time. “We will be having a big Christmas party,” Nguyen said.

The mail carrier was separated from his family in 1972 when he became a soldier. When South Vietnam fell, Nguyen escaped by boat to Thailand. “I knew if I stayed there, I would die,” he said.

Since his relocation to Los Angeles, Nguyen has been unable to speak to his parents by telephone, although he has exchanged letters and photographs. In recent weeks he told co-workers his long-awaited reunion would occur just before Christmas--traditionally the Postal Service’s busiest time.

“When we found out it was happening, we had guys volunteering to reschedule their work to accommodate him being down here,” said Sunland postmaster Edwin Freitas. “He’s probably one of the most popular guys down at the office.”

Freitas joined Nguyen at the airport and promised to describe the reunion to his co-workers. “They’re all waiting to hear the news,” the postmaster said.

Nguyen’s 14-year-old niece, Theresa, was among the grandchildren who greeted the missing family members at the airport. “I think it’s really cool because we’re united,” she said. “We’ll have everybody here to celebrate Christmas.”

Nguyen and his relatives in Los Angeles have lined up local homes and jobs for the relocated family members. Upon their arrival, the mail carrier said he hardly recognized the family members he left 17 years ago. “Everyone’s changed so much,” he said.

As Christmas gifts go, Nguyen added, “This is a big one--better than winning the lottery.”