Memphis (Tennessee), Aug 16: Henry Nguyen joined several thousand other fans for a visit to Elvis Presley's grave on the anniversary of the singer's death. It was Nguyen's way of saying thanks. Nguyen, who fled Vietnam as the country was falling to the communists in 1975, credits Presley with helping him learn English and ease his resettlement in a new country.
"When I was in Vietnam, I learned his songs in English. I Don't understand what it is so I try to contact American Gis and that helped build communication with American soldiers," Nguyen, 60, of Houston, said at a vigil last night.
"It helped me have enough confidence to work and live happy with Americans."
Presley died at 42 on Aug. 16, 1977, and is buried in a small garden beside Graceland, his Memphis residence. To cap an annual week of parties, concerts and get-togethers, fans held a vigil last night, lighting candles at Graceland's front gates and walking along a long driveway to the grave.
Hundreds of other fans filled four-lane Elvis Presley boulevard in front of Graceland waiting their turns to join the procession.
Nguyen, a retired oil company engineer, and his wife Tania, joined the crowd and displayed a hand-printed sign: "Hello from Houston, Texas/Vietnam".
Kenneth Bollermann, 52, of Manasquan, New Jersey, said he was making his first nighttime visit to the grave, spurred by a dream he had a decade ago.
Bureau Report