LONG BEACH, Mississippi (WLOX) – The upcoming month will commemorate 49 years since the conclusion of the Vietnam War, signifying the end of the conflict that led to the evacuation of numerous Vietnamese Refugees in pursuit of freedom. Among these refugees was a resilient individual who transformed her harrowing journey into a tale of triumph on the Coast.
Hue Roettele, reflecting on her past, remarked, “Working and surviving, that’s all I know.”
For nearly four decades, Hue has been delighting patrons at her restaurant, the Rusty Pelican.
Bobbye Lynn Lantz, a loyal customer, shared, “We come here about six mornings a week for breakfast.”
However, Hue’s path to serving biscuits and eggs was paved with challenges and relentless effort. She emphasized, “If you can talk to anybody who knew me from the beginning, they know how hard I worked to get to today.”
Hue, along with thousands of other Vietnamese refugees, was transported to aircraft carriers and large vessels in the Pacific before continuing their journey to America (WLOX).
Hailing from Vietnam, Hue had worked for an American company in Saigon during the war. As the U.S. began its withdrawal in April 1975, putting her and her family in peril, Hue found herself amidst the unfolding historical events.
“We took me and my family to the airport,” recounted Roettele.
Prompted by a warning from her employer, Hue swiftly took action with her young children in tow. She recollected, “We had in the base about 20,000 people ready to leave the country.”
After a tense day at the base, the moment arrived to depart with the Americans on April 30, 1975.
Describing the scene, she recalled, “There’s a bunch of big helicopters that came over and landed on the base. They said 60 people get on, 60 people get on. They picked people up from the base.”
Following this tumultuous evacuation, Hue and numerous other Vietnamese refugees were ferried to aircraft carriers and large vessels in the Pacific, embarking on a journey that would eventually lead them to America. Although the reasons for leaving her homeland were unclear at the time, Hue now acknowledges that this journey ultimately preserved her life.
“I didn’t even know why I’m here, but later on I realized why I’m here and how lucky I am to be here.”
After relocating across the U.S. and residing in Cincinnati for an extended period, Hue and her husband stumbled upon South Mississippi, captivated by the scenery. They decided to settle in the area, purchasing a restaurant in Pass Christian which they named Rusty Pelican, maintaining the moniker from the previous proprietor.
“When we got to the beach and started working, I didn’t have any more chances to go to the beach anymore. In the first five years, I had no days off.”
Despite the challenges, Hue persisted, and two decades after its inception, she had established a thriving and beloved establishment.
Hue persevered and 20 years after the grand opening, she had cultivated a successful and renowned business (WLOX).
“We were doing fine until Katrina.”
Following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, Hue found herself starting anew, rebuilding from the ground up.
“I lost everything, Absolutely nothing was left.”
During this period of adversity and loss, Hue selflessly provided meals to victims and volunteers, receiving reciprocal acts of kindness.
“They said well you helped them, why don’t we help you to build your house or restaurant back.”
With unwavering determination, Hue embarked on her journey to recovery. Discovering an available property on Beatline Road in Long Beach, she reopened the Rusty Pelican in 2008, attracting both loyal patrons and new customers alike.
“They’re not just my customers, they’re my friends. They are very good to me, without the people who I’ve known for 39 years, I couldn’t have made it today.”
Securing a vacant property on Beatline Road in Long Beach, Hue inaugurated the Rusty Pelican once again in 2008, marking a new chapter in her entrepreneurial endeavors (WLOX).
“We really like being friends with Hue, you have to respect her, and I feel really honored to be her friend,” expressed Allen Lantz, a devoted Rusty Pelican customer.
Hue’s narrative embodies resilience, survival, and industriousness, culminating in a journey she deems immensely rewarding.
“At this point I’m happy. I would like to say in the bottom of my heart I’m really, thankful to the people of the U.S. Military who brought us here. That’s how I came the way I am today, safe and successful.”
Today, Hue’s three children, raised in America, have embarked on their own successful career paths.
Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.