Hong was born Hong Thi Dinh. Her father was Phu Dinh and her mother was Lieu Nguyen.

Hong's father, Phu, passed away in Vietnam when Hong was a schoolgirl.

Hong left Vietnam in the last week of April 1975, just before the fall of Saigon - now Ho Chi Minh City.  Hong left with her sister Thanh. Hong's other brothers and sisters also left Saigon in groups of two's and three's... Hong's married sisters and married brother left as family units. Each has their own, unique tale of Fear & Uncertainty about getting out of Saigon before the Communist North Vietnamese captured the city.

Hong and her sister Thanh were assisted in leaving Saigon by an Army officer named Herrington.... I think it was Stuart Arthur Herrington.  Mr. Herrington allowed Hong and her sister to board a bus entering Tan Son Nhat Airport, access to which was greatly restricted. The bus was empty except for Mr. Herrington and the driver. Mr. Herrington asked Hong and Thanh why they wanted to leave Vietnam.... why did they want to go to the United States .... I think he even tried to discourage them saying that things were not as peaceful and idyllic as they may have heard....  He then had a young man drive Hong and her sister to a remote part of the airport where there was a office / house. At first, Hong was worried about his isolated location but then she saw a statue of the Virgin Mary and was comforted and assured of her safety.  After waiting at this location for hours, Hong and her sister were escorted to an Airplane, perhaps a Helicopter, and they were allowed to board to be airlifted out of Saigon. Mr. Herrington had the authority to approve or deny passage for anyone boarding these aircraft. Hong said she heard him give approval / disapproval for other refugees. 

Hong and her sister Thanh went to Guam and stayed in camp there for some time, then they traveled to  Fort Smith Arkansas. Then Hong joined her mother and 3 unmarried brothers who were sponsored into the community of Buckley, Wash.

Sự mất mát của một người thân yêu có thể rất khó khăn nhưng may mắn là Đức Chúa Trời yêu thương của chúng ta hứa hẹn với chúng ta rằng chúng ta sẽ sớm được gặp lại những người thân yêu của mình một lần nữa. Bạn có thể tìm thấy sự thoải mái trong câu thánh thư này: "Từ sức mạnh của Ngôi mộ tôi sẽ chuộc chúng; Từ cái chết, tôi sẽ phục hồi chúng." Ô-sê 13:14


All those years in Seattle Dinh was like a brother to me and you treated me like part of the family :)  Thank you so much for being such a special part of my life!  One time, when I came back to visit, it was just you and I at the house for some reason, I guess Thom was at work, and of course I wanted to be useful, so you found the PERFECT project for me.  You asked if I could cut the spars down from these huge pine trees that had been previously snapped off in a storm and since died.  Much to my surprise, everything I asked for you knew right where it was, chainsaw w/ big bar, wedges, mall, files for sharpening, gas/oil, you even found me some work cloths...how could I say no?  Why would I say no!?  I was pretty proud of myself for felling them over exactly right, missing the shrubs, not blocking up the driveway, and had a ball doing it.  It was only later that I found out this was a bit of a unilateral decision on your part, and perhaps Thom wouldn't have had me cut them down.  I was still glad to have done it for you and Thom didn't give me too hard a time, he never did.

Dear Auntie Hong,

You have suffered long enough and you were brave and strong. You never let it shown to us how much pain you were holding in. It has hurt all of us, especially for Uncle Thom and Dinh, when you left that day. But we know in our heart you are in a better place. You have taken your space in heaven right where you belong, right up there with Grandma, Uncle Nhuan, Uncle Vinh, Uncle Phan, and my Dad.

You taught me family comes first and you did your part to keep our family together. Your love for your son, Dinh, symbolizes unconditional love that I never thought it’s possible.  I will miss the smile on your face to the things you would say, and all the talks we would have.  You will remain in our hearts always and forever. You are our ‘Angel’ watching over us.

Love you always.
Your niece, Huong


I'm Hongs sister in law. She has been married to my brother Thom.
I'll never forget her cute beautiful giggle/laugh. She was always very sweet, kind, and loving. Her family came first. She was a wonderful wife and mothwr who excelled in the challenge in the home schooling of their child Dinh.
When my first child was born she made a point of being present for our childs first few days. Changing diapers and meeting our childs needs. She loved people in her world very much. You will be greatly missed beautiful lady!

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Hong. For Thanh, it's hard to lose our sisters, and my love goes out to you, and to all your family and Hong's family.

OBITUARY

Hong Dinh Bowman

10 February, 1950 – 25 February, 2019

Greenwood Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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