Page 3 - NBY News September 2018

Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: C.L. Hoang
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
C.L. Hoang
C.L. Hoang
C.L. Hoang
C.L. Hoang
Where did you grow
up, and how did you
come to live in southern
California?
Hoang: Born and
raised in South Vietnam
during the war, I came to
the U.S. in the 1970’s as a
foreign exchange student
at Ohio University in
Athens, Ohio. After the
war ended in 1975, I
stayed on, first in the
Midwest (Ohio,
Pennsylvania), and then
moved to California
when I went to graduate
school at UC Berkeley in
the early 1980’s. After
graduating, I accepted a
job offer in Southern
California and have
lived here (Orange
County, San Diego) most
of the time since then. I
am an electronic
engineer by training,
with 11 patents to my name.
Is staying active important to you at
Who would you credit with having the age 62?
greatest influence along your life’s path? Hoang: Of course! I’m staying active
Hoang: My parents inspired me with physically (exercising, gardening,
how they survived through a long dark traveling) and mentally (reading,
period in the history of our war-torn writing, watching history and
country and how they always tried to rise discovery programs on television). I
above their own grim circumstances. go to the gym three times a week, and
They also worked tirelessly to instill also walk and swim. I’m a light eater
traditional family values in my siblings and drinker, and a non-smoker.
and me, as well as compassion for other
people, and a desire to do well and What can you tell NBY readers about
become productive members of society. the books you’ve written?
Hoang: Even though I’ve made my
living as an engineer, I like to write the war. It is based on real-life events and groups, book clubs, libraries, church
and share about groups, civic groups such as P.E.O. or
my experience experiences and provides a balanced account Rotary or Lions Clubs, veterans groups,
from both perspectives: the young American
growing up soldiers, and the long-suffering Vietnamese museums, travel groups, etc.
during the
Vietnam War as people. My second book is a journal of my How can people contact you about a
2016 visit to Vietnam after a decades-long
well as my possible speaking engagement?
traveling. I absence, titled “Rain Falling on Tamarind Hoang: I can be contacted via my
Trees: A Travelogue of Vietnam.” It contains
have published over forty pictures as well as a historical and website where I share bits about my
two books. writing and publishing journey, the
“Once upon a cultural background of places we visited latest news on my publications, as well
(five cities from the south to the north). Both
Mulberry Field” as insights into the Vietnamese history
is an award- books are available in print and eBook and culture. It is:
editions on amazon.com,
winning barnesandnoble.com, and all online vendors. www.mulberryfieldsforever.com
historical novel
set in Vietnam I always welcome the opportunity to come Questions about being highlighted as a
and have a face-to-face interactive discussion
at the height of Senior in Action? Call us at 562-691-2509
of my experience and my books with any and we will get a message to Marilee
interested group in the community: writers Marrero Stefenhagen.

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