VIETNAM WAR Memorial in Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster (Wikipedia).

A memorial will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1 for Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of the Republic of (South) Vietnam, at Sid Goldstein Memorial Freedom Park in Westminster.

Diem was a controversial figure during his presidency (1955-1963), praised for his nationalism and opposition to communism, but also criticized by opposition groups who claimed he favored Catholics over Buddhists.

PRESIDENT Ngo Dinh Diem (Wikipedia).

He was deposed by a “junta” of the Military Revolutionary Council on Nov. 1, 1963 in a coup d’etat believed to have been supported by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

Diem and his brother, Nhu, escaped at first but were recaptured quickly and assassinated.

An item about the event is on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting of the Westminster City Council, in which a request has been made to extend the previously approved operating hours to conclude at 10 p.m.

Also on the agenda are consideration of removal from office of a member of the Parks and Recreation and the Traffic Commission (Donald Lank) and a member of the Cultural Arts Commission (Alex Vaz).

The council will meet in closed session at 5 p.m. followed by an open session at 6 p.m. at 8200 Westminster Blvd.