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 Two-time Lone Star Emmy award winner for sports and news.
Adam B. Higgins headshot
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says ▶ 0:58
2 deputies fatally shoot man after he fires at them during domestic disturbance call, BCSO says
What parents can do to help children stay safe online ▶ 0:56
What parents can do to help children stay safe online
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾 ▶ 0:57
Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ 🐾
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record ▶ 0:53
What to know about holiday travel as AAA projects new record
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World' ▶ 1:51
Steele High School student conductor reimagines 'Joy to the World'
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays ▶ 1:08
Service members traveling through San Antonio International for the holidays
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program ▶ 0:56
Salvation Army helps thousands of San Antonio children through Angel Tree program
Scams targeting San Antonio seniors on the rise, SAPD says ▶ 0:50
Scams targeting San Antonio seniors on the rise, SAPD says
West Side neighbors rally to replace stolen Christmas tree ▶ 1:52
West Side neighbors rally to replace stolen Christmas tree
Outgoing North East ISD superintendent discusses timing of departure, district’s challenges ahead ▶ 1:14
Outgoing North East ISD superintendent discusses timing of departure, district’s challenges ahead
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop ▶ 0:20
Atascosa County Sheriff's Office vehicle struck during traffic stop
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend ▶ 1:00
H-E-B, Meals on Wheels preparing for 33rd annual Feast of Sharing this weekend
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end ▶ 1:16
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County faces delays to repair 12 homes by year’s end
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide ▶ 1:18
San Antonio man has reunited more than 200 people with lost class rings nationwide
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash ▶ 0:45
Local businesses launch donation drive for South Side family after fatal crash
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods ▶ 1:14
Hill Country camps add flood-warning towers months after deadly July 4 floods
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say ▶ 0:50
Suspected thief stole more than $200K in jewelry from San Antonio businesses, police say
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM ▶ 1:55
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD ▶ 0:20
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says ▶ 1:46
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend ▶ 1:47
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend
Check out these space heater safety tips ▶ 1:22
Check out these space heater safety tips
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race. ▶ 0:50
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race.
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
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
Previous photo Next photo