Navy Veteran's Mom Denied Visa to Attend His Funeral
Some of JFK’s most quoted words are, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Ngoc Truong from Arkansas loved his country and took the statement to heart.
He proudly served in the US Navy for four years, ending October 2017. The 22-year-old had dreams of going into graphic design and had planned to continue his education in Florida.
All plans were halted when Truong was diagnosed with Leukemia shortly after leaving the service. His condition deteriorated rapidly and Ngoc lost his battle on Dec. 17.
Truong’s father, Hung Truong, owns a jewelry store in Blytheville, Arkansas. His mother lives in Vietnam.
Amid all his grief, Truong told reporters that his ex-wife, Ngoc’s mother, was denied a temporary visa to attend her son’s funeral — twice.
After all his son has given for this country, Truong is left wondering what the country has done for him.
Immigration has been a hot-button issue for years and has gained more attention since the recent “travel bans” have been proposed and implemented.
Getting permission to enter the country has gotten harder — particularly if you are from countries the administration sees as a threat.
Although a historical adversary, Vietnam hasn’t been seen as a hostile threat in decades. Still, Truong is left wondering why a veteran’s mother was denied the chance to bury her son.
When the State Department was pushed for an answer, a representative could only say that visa applications are confidential. They said they would not be able to discuss the matter.
So the answer was just “no,” and Truong was left alone in a parent’s darkest hour.
Despite no longer being married, having his son’s mother by his side would have been better than going it alone. Understandably, he’s “fuming” mad.
“He’s already done for this country,” said the heartbroken father, “but what this country done for him? What this country do for him?”
The denial doesn’t make sense. Priority entrance into the country is supposed to be extended to direct relations.
Instead, by all appearances, the State Department has disrespected a veteran and his family by senselessly barring the mother from attending the funeral.
It’s a moment that the family will never be able to get back.
This decision and the subsequent refusal to supply reasoning doesn’t inspire trust for this grieving family that just wanted to be able to mourn their own together.
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