Heroes Among Us: Vietnam refugees pay it forward and honor the past on 45th anniversary of Fall of Saigon

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - It's been 45 years since the Fall of Saigon and Vietnam refugees are honoring the day by paying it forward by feeding healthcare professionals working the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Restaurant workers have been pulling all-nighters for weeks now to give to seniors and healthcare workers.

On Thursday, The Recess Room will prepare 1,975 meals to commemorate the Fall of Saigon. They will deliver the meals to hospital workers hard hit by COVID-19.

The meals also will go to other frontline workers as they may not eat as regularly or as well during the peaks of this pandemic.

The family that runs The Recess Room restaurant in Fountain Valley also has an intriguing story.

The elderly mother escaped by boat on April 30,1975 and was rescued by the U.S. Navy. She received medical treatment in the Philippines before coming to the U.S.

In addition, The Recess Room is also assembling PPE to donate to vulnerable community members.

The Recess Room is one of many Vietnamese restaurants and others throughout the U.S. giving back to the country that embraced the refugees from war-torn Vietnam back in 1975.

Do you know of a person or company that is going above and beyond to help others during this time? We want to hear from you, submit your nomination here.