Cambodian survivors of the Killing Fields genocide listen to Paline Soth, right, at a meeting on the anniversary of the coup that established the Khmer Rouge regime responsible for over a million deaths in Cambodia in less than four years. (Jeff Gritchen / Press-Telegram)Survivors of genocide gather to reflect on attacks that killed 1.7 million.
04/17/2007
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
LONG BEACH - While many local residents are celebrating the Cambodian New Year over three weekends, with a parade April 7, religious services last weekend and Saturday's New Year Festival at El Dorado Regional Park, Tuesday was a day for somber reflection.
April 17 marked the 32nd anniversary of the day the Khmer Rouge took control of Phnom Penh and unleashed the Killing Fields genocide that wiped out an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians.
For the third year, members of the Cambodian community commemorated the infamous date with morning prayers, a luncheon and, finally, a candlelight vigil.
This year, the vigil was held at Watt Vipassanaram, a Buddhist temple on 20th Street.
About 60 people came to the vigil, which included prayers by monks, a slide presentation, music and several moments of silence.
But the most touching moments came during testimonials by survivors of the genocide.
"This is not a day to celebrate, it's a day of memories, we're here to remember," said Chandara Hak, president of the Killing Fields Memorial Task Force.
And the memories came forth, sometimes overcoming the speakers, sometimes reducing audience members to tears.
There was Rithy Plong, dressed in a elegant blue Cambodian dress, reciting in a sing-song voice a poem about her memories as a 5-year-old. As she sang, several audience members sniffled and one woman wept openly.
There was Sarith Ban, wearing a replica of his Khmer Special Forces uniform, plus an original parachutist's insignia he kept after the Khmer Rouge took power, knowing that if it were discovered it meant death.
Sokhan Yi's hands shook as she displayed pictures of her husband and brother, both taken away and killed by the Khmer Rouge. Bryant Ben also carried a picture of his brother, Saroeun, killed because he told the truth to his captors, that he was a medical school student. Sok Saren, wearing a camouflage shirt, displayed a photo of his father, a general in the army who died April 17, 1975.
Ben brought his two children, Patrick, 12, and Victoria, 6, because he wants them to understand their heritage and history.
During the past two years, the vigil had been held at the Homeland Cultural Center at MacArthur Park on Anaheim Street.
This year, organizers say, the city for the first time required a deposit of more than $600 to use the center.
A call to MacArthur Park was referred to a park supervisor. Calls to the supervisor were not returned.
Members of the Killing Fields Memorial Task Force, which helped organize the event, said they were actually happy with the outcome of their dealings with the city, because it brought the event closer to home.
"It seemed like (Parks, Recreation and Marine) created a lot of obstacles," Ben said. "I said let's just move here and forget about them."
Paline Soth, another member of the task force, also saw a positive outcome.
"First of all, this is like coming back to our roots," Soth said. "This is like being with family, over there (at MacArthur Park) it's more like a show."
"I believe we can build a stronger foundation because this is part of the community," Hak said. "We don't have to worry about looking for a place (to hold the vigil). Hopefully, this will be a permanent place."
The vigil concluded a daylong commemoration. At 9 a.m. residents gathered to pray and several had their heads shaved as a sign of remembrance.
About 100 residents later joined for the luncheon and listened to traditional music played by an eight-piece band.
As the sun set and the temperature dropped at the vigil, Hak said he saw some unfamiliar faces among those offering testimonials.
"Some times, people have held it all in for 30 years," Hak said of the memories and emotions of survivors. "This is a place for them to go."
"We are a small group that refuses to forget the sadness of our people and this regime of genocide," Soth said.
Greg Mellen can be reached at greg.mellen@presstelegram.com or (562) 499-1291.
04/17/2007
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
LONG BEACH - While many local residents are celebrating the Cambodian New Year over three weekends, with a parade April 7, religious services last weekend and Saturday's New Year Festival at El Dorado Regional Park, Tuesday was a day for somber reflection.
April 17 marked the 32nd anniversary of the day the Khmer Rouge took control of Phnom Penh and unleashed the Killing Fields genocide that wiped out an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians.
For the third year, members of the Cambodian community commemorated the infamous date with morning prayers, a luncheon and, finally, a candlelight vigil.
This year, the vigil was held at Watt Vipassanaram, a Buddhist temple on 20th Street.
About 60 people came to the vigil, which included prayers by monks, a slide presentation, music and several moments of silence.
But the most touching moments came during testimonials by survivors of the genocide.
"This is not a day to celebrate, it's a day of memories, we're here to remember," said Chandara Hak, president of the Killing Fields Memorial Task Force.
And the memories came forth, sometimes overcoming the speakers, sometimes reducing audience members to tears.
There was Rithy Plong, dressed in a elegant blue Cambodian dress, reciting in a sing-song voice a poem about her memories as a 5-year-old. As she sang, several audience members sniffled and one woman wept openly.
There was Sarith Ban, wearing a replica of his Khmer Special Forces uniform, plus an original parachutist's insignia he kept after the Khmer Rouge took power, knowing that if it were discovered it meant death.
Sokhan Yi's hands shook as she displayed pictures of her husband and brother, both taken away and killed by the Khmer Rouge. Bryant Ben also carried a picture of his brother, Saroeun, killed because he told the truth to his captors, that he was a medical school student. Sok Saren, wearing a camouflage shirt, displayed a photo of his father, a general in the army who died April 17, 1975.
Ben brought his two children, Patrick, 12, and Victoria, 6, because he wants them to understand their heritage and history.
During the past two years, the vigil had been held at the Homeland Cultural Center at MacArthur Park on Anaheim Street.
This year, organizers say, the city for the first time required a deposit of more than $600 to use the center.
A call to MacArthur Park was referred to a park supervisor. Calls to the supervisor were not returned.
Members of the Killing Fields Memorial Task Force, which helped organize the event, said they were actually happy with the outcome of their dealings with the city, because it brought the event closer to home.
"It seemed like (Parks, Recreation and Marine) created a lot of obstacles," Ben said. "I said let's just move here and forget about them."
Paline Soth, another member of the task force, also saw a positive outcome.
"First of all, this is like coming back to our roots," Soth said. "This is like being with family, over there (at MacArthur Park) it's more like a show."
"I believe we can build a stronger foundation because this is part of the community," Hak said. "We don't have to worry about looking for a place (to hold the vigil). Hopefully, this will be a permanent place."
The vigil concluded a daylong commemoration. At 9 a.m. residents gathered to pray and several had their heads shaved as a sign of remembrance.
About 100 residents later joined for the luncheon and listened to traditional music played by an eight-piece band.
As the sun set and the temperature dropped at the vigil, Hak said he saw some unfamiliar faces among those offering testimonials.
"Some times, people have held it all in for 30 years," Hak said of the memories and emotions of survivors. "This is a place for them to go."
"We are a small group that refuses to forget the sadness of our people and this regime of genocide," Soth said.
Greg Mellen can be reached at greg.mellen@presstelegram.com or (562) 499-1291.
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