A Moment of Remembrance and New Beginnings

Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking at the Vietnam Veterans of America event in Sierra Vista, Arizona, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

The Vietnam War claimed the lives of over 58,000 Americans and millions of Vietnamese, leaving a legacy of loss and resilience that shaped generations. Yesterday, we gathered not only to remember the past, but to honor the living, and to carry forward the healing that still continues today.

It was a deeply emotional gathering — a time for veterans, families, and friends to come together in remembrance of a war that touched so many lives and left lasting echoes in our hearts.

As I stood before the veterans and their families, I shared my story — not only as an author, but as someone who once lived through the very years we were remembering. I spoke of my childhood in Vietnam, the resilience of my beloved grandmother, and the memories that have stayed with me across continents and decades.

But I also spoke of something even deeper — of connection.
Of how, years ago, I met a Vietnam veteran named Gary Lord at a VVA National Convention. Through our unexpected meeting, Gary shared with me how seeing the face of a young Vietnamese girl during the war had stayed with him all his life — and how meeting me, reading my book, helped him begin to heal from memories long buried.

Gary's story, and the stories of so many others, remind me that healing often begins when stories are shared — when hearts meet without walls.

Yesterday, we hugged. We shed tears. We connected.

In that room, there was a quiet, unspoken understanding that the past is never really gone — but when we honor it together, it can transform.
The courage it takes to share a story, to listen to one, to hold space for each other’s memories, is a form of service just as powerful as any battlefield.

And as we honor the past, we also reach forward — offering our support, compassion, and gratitude to the men and women who serve today. Their journeys are being written even now, and the kindness we extend, the understanding we offer, can help light the way for them, just as we honor those who came before.

It was also a fitting moment to announce something deeply personal:
the official release of my memoir, Jasmine in the Wind.

Jasmine in the Wind is the story of a young girl growing up amid the turmoil of war — a story of survival, love, and resilience. It is my offering of remembrance to those who lived through those years, and a bridge for new generations to understand what was endured, what was lost, and what was carried forward in the hearts of survivors.

This book is dedicated not only to the memory of my family and homeland but also to the countless veterans whose service, courage, and sacrifices deserve to be honored — not just in ceremonies, but in everyday acts of listening, remembering, and connecting.

I am deeply grateful to my daughter and dear friend who stood beside me yesterday, and to all who have supported this journey.
Your encouragement breathes life into these memories and carries them into the world.

As we mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, may we continue to share our stories, to lift each other’s burdens, and to heal — together.

Jasmine in the Wind is now available on Amazon.
📘 https://www.amazon.com/Jasmine-Wind-Linda-West/dp/B0F2F7RQDH
🌸 storiesbylinda.net

Thank you for walking with me on this path of remembrance and renewal.

With love and gratitude,
Linda West

Blog Post Title One

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.