Because of You, Roger, We Learned to Fly

Because of You, Roger, We Learned to Fly
A Song from Vietnam – To Our Teacher, Our Friend
Roger, you came from far away,
But something in your heart chose to stay.
No banners raised, no big display—
Just quiet love, shown day by day.

From Saigon streets to Hanoi’s grace,
You wandered slow through every place.
To Thai Nguyen hills, Tuyen Quang skies,
You saw this land through learners’ eyes.


Because of you, Roger, we learned to fly,
To find our voice, to question “why.”
Because of you, the world grew wide,
And fear gave way to strength inside.
You gave us more than words could teach—
You showed how hearts and minds can reach.
With every call, with every smile,
You walked with us the extra mile.


Thirteen thousand hours you gave—
No fee, no claim, no path to pave.
You lit the lamps in night’s long hall,
So many could rise, stand tall.

You taught not just how speech begins,
But how compassion softly wins.
You planted dreams in fields unknown,
And made this land your second home.


Because of you, Roger, we learned to see—
The power in humility.
You saw in us what we once lacked,
And placed our confidence gently back.
This S-shaped land, this sun, this rain,
Now calls your name with love, not fame.
You are, and always will remain,
A son of Việt, in soul and name.

A Message from the Land You Loved
You walked beneath our banyan shade,
Where smiles and stories softly stayed.
You ate our rice, you shared our tea,
You listened to our hopes so free.

Now every mountain, field, and stream
Carries your voice like morning dream.
Though far in miles, our hearts still near—
Your name in winds, so loud, so clear.

The clouds above, the ocean tide,
Still speak of you with grateful pride.
And every wish we send today
Surrounds you gently on your way.


Because of you, Roger, we learned to fly,
With open minds and lifted eyes.
And though the time may draw apart,
Your wisdom lives in every heart.
We’ll pass it on, we’ll teach it true—
The love you gave, the things you knew.
So thank you, Roger, through and through—
This land is kinder… because of you.