Groups participate in the presentation of colors during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alumni of the Vietnamese National Military Academy present a wreath during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The American flag is reflected in a man’s sunglasses during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Army veteran Rudy Jaramill visits a monument to South Vietnamese officers at the Vietnam War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People listen to speakers during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Army veteran Rudy Jaramill visits a monument to South Vietnamese officers at the Vietnam War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alumni of the Vietnamese National Military Academy present a wreath during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen speaks during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A group performs during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Audience members listen to speakers during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Westminster councilwoman Amy Phan West uses a bullhorn to speak during a Black April Remembrance Ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of Orange County’s Vietnamese community gathered to remember the lives and country lost with the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, during the city of Westminster’s annual Black April commemoration.
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The exodus of refugees that followed gave birth to the Little Saigon community that has since flourished in Orange County — now home to the largest community of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.
Old and young participated in Thursday’s Black April event at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, with its Vietnam War memorial as the backdrop. Wreaths and flowers were placed in honor and speeches and musical tributes were delivered.
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Local elected leaders also helped mark the anniversary, honoring the sacrifices made and the contributions to communities since with resolutions in the state legislature and U.S. Congress.
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