Historic marker to commemorate Vietnamese immigrants
A new historic highway marker will commemorate Vietnamese immigrants in Northern Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced.
It is one of five historical markers highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander history in Virginia. The suggestions for the new markers were submitted by students in a contest for AAPI Heritage Month.
The marker commemorating Vietnamese immigrants was suggested by students at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church.
It states: “The Vietnamese community began solidifying in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood during the 1970s, becoming known as Little Saigon by the end of the decade. The fall of the South Vietnamese government spurred a surge in immigration, with the D.C. area becoming the third-largest Vietnamese community in the country. Climbing rents pushed much of the Vietnamese commerce west to the Eden Center in the 1980s, which over the ensuing years has expanded and became at one point the largest Vietnamese shopping district in the country.”
“Throughout history, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have made significant contributions to our commonwealth and our country, but too often their stories remain untold,” Northam said. “As we continue working to tell a more comprehensive and inclusive Virginia story, I am grateful for the efforts of Virginia students and educators in helping elevate the voices of prominent AAPI Virginians with these five new historical markers.”
The five new markers will be formally submitted to the Board of Historic Resources in September and are expected to receive approval in the coming months.
The other markers commemorate Filipinos in the U.S. Navy (Virginia Beach); Kim Kyusik (Salem), a 1903 graduate of Roanoke College and government leader in the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea; Arthur Azo Matsu (Williamsburg), a 1927 graduate of William & Mary and the first Japanese-American football player in the National Football League; and W. W. Yen (Charlottesville), a 1900 graduate of the University of Virginia and a government leader in China.
Awesome, something like this is long overdue. Good to see official recognition in our community.
I am a second generation American. Born in 1960, I grew up in Annandale. The school system failed to identify my learning disabilities. I made it through college with total commitment. My inspiration was seeing the Vietnamese community work and make it in Annandale. I thank them.