Spriester Sessions: Refugee thanks US veterans for ‘legacy that they left in Vietnam’ One war had Trinh Warner growing up in two countries Editor's Note: This article is part of KSAT’s special, "50 Years After The Fall: From Saigon to San Antonio," highlighting how the war in Vietnam affected veterans in the Alamo City and South Texas.
SAN ANTONIO – Trinh Warner usually starts her survival story by talking about her grandmother, a woman she never saw again after Warner was put on a helicopter and flown out of Vietnam.
Her grandmother ended up dying in a re-education camp, Warner said.
Warner remembers the fall of Saigon, South Vietnam, well. As a small child, her grandmother showed up at her school and told them, “It was time.”
The siblings all made their way to the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, through crushing crowds and armed Marines, they made it onto the chopper and out of the only country they had ever known.
Warner’s story is part of KSAT’s special, “50 Years After The Fall: From Saigon to San Antonio .”
>> Click here to view our interactive project .
In this Spriester Sessions episode , Warner talked about the evacuation, her thoughts on the war, and how it shaped her family.
She is also quick to thank Vietnam veterans every chance she gets.
“I just thank them from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think they realize the legacy that they left in Vietnam to this day,” Warner said.
Read next: Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Daniel Villanueva headshot
Daniel P. Villanueva has been with KSAT 12 since 2003 and is the producer of the station's sports streaming show KSAT Sports Now. Villanueva is a graduate of St. Mary's University and is a TAPB and Lone Star Emmy award winner.
Adam B. Higgins headshot
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025 ▶ 0:56
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run ▶ 0:32
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio ▶ 1:26
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio
The Running Event kicks off downtown ahead of inaugural San Antonio Marathon_Trim ▶ 1:03
The Running Event kicks off downtown ahead of inaugural San Antonio Marathon_Trim
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community ▶ 1:52
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road ▶ 0:57
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest ▶ 1:03
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest
Road closures to be aware of during the San Antonio Marathon ▶ 1:55
Road closures to be aware of during the San Antonio Marathon
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin ▶ 2:07
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing? ▶ 2:20
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing?
Harlandale ISD teacher arrested, accused of sexual assault of child, SAPD says ▶ 1:05
Harlandale ISD teacher arrested, accused of sexual assault of child, SAPD says
Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in Austin ▶ 1:03
Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in Austin
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request ▶ 1:13
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request
Prepare to pay a $45 fee to fly if you don't have a Real ID ▶ 0:35
Prepare to pay a $45 fee to fly if you don't have a Real ID
Some UTSA students forced to move dorm rooms as school complies with state’s ‘bathroom bill’ ▶ 1:08
Some UTSA students forced to move dorm rooms as school complies with state’s ‘bathroom bill’
How to share your San Antonio Marathon pics & videos to KSAT Connect ▶ 0:29
How to share your San Antonio Marathon pics & videos to KSAT Connect
How Black Friday can make the economy seem healthier than it is ▶ 1:18
How Black Friday can make the economy seem healthier than it is
Interactive map shows car burglaries at popular San Antonio shopping centers ▶ 0:32
Interactive map shows car burglaries at popular San Antonio shopping centers
Experience San Antonio’s newest drive-thru Christmas light display “The Light Park” at Wolff Stadium ▶ 1:04
Experience San Antonio’s newest drive-thru Christmas light display “The Light Park” at Wolff Stadium
1-on-1 with Colin Allred, candidate for US Senate ▶ 0:41
1-on-1 with Colin Allred, candidate for US Senate
James Talarico shares his favorite things about Texas ▶ 1:48
James Talarico shares his favorite things about Texas
David Elder tries entrees, drinks and desserts at Salsita at the Rim ▶ 1:29
David Elder tries entrees, drinks and desserts at Salsita at the Rim
David Elder tries the Tres Leches Strawberry Matcha Latte from La Panaderia ▶ 0:54
David Elder tries the Tres Leches Strawberry Matcha Latte from La Panaderia
David Elder tries Snow Island in San Antonio ▶ 2:51
David Elder tries Snow Island in San Antonio
Surf & Turf at Sea Island Shrimp House ▶ 0:39
Surf & Turf at Sea Island Shrimp House
Previous photo Next photo