A Message from a Soldier

I received this email from one of my former undergraduate students at UC Davis. He’s now serving in one of our wars abroad. I definitely have mixed feelings about anything that I did or said that may have encouraged him to take the route that he has. I can only pray for his safe return and the safe return of others who are serving honorably on our behalf–just the way I prayed for the safe return of my own brother when he went off to Vietnam in the early 1970s.

I have deleted my student’s name and location from his message. But I can tell you this: his parents entered the U.S. as refugees from our war in Vietnam, and that makes it all the more complicated as I work out my own reaction to his path.

Hello Prof. Hing,

I am serving in the Army in [ ]. The Army is celebrating Asian American Month and it just reminded me of all of the fond memories I had in your class. Life here is very “interesting” and “different” than back home, but every little bit that reminds me of home keeps me going. They had many events planned out to celebrate Asian Americans in the Armed Forces. Every year it gets bigger and the Army makes a very large point to recognize minorities.

I had a lot of teachers that felt that I was just “serving the Man” when I chose to stay in the Army. You were one of the few that understood that we need to work and serve in areas where Asians are not largely represented. Instead of complaining about the “Glass Ceiling” you taught us to shatter through it and reach for the skies. I did just that. I am now a Captain and a helicopter pilot soaring through the skies. The “Glass Ceiling” that we talked about is shattered and broken. Thanks for all of your mentorship.

[  ]
CPT, Aviation

P.S. Happy Memorial Day.

bh