The 3rd Annual VFP Delegation to Viet Nam left on Fri, Mar 28 from San Francisco CA. Ten (10) VFP members are part of the 17 member delegation. VFP members are - Ann Wright, Bill Creighton, Wes Brickner, David Hartsough, Kent Howland, Ron and Paula Staff, David Waters, Floyd Henderson and Taylor Searcy.
In photo from Left to right at San Francisco airport). George Johnson (Farewell committee), Ken Howland, Ann Wright, Mike Dempsey, Ron Staff, David Waters, Paula Staff, Floyd Henderson, Nadya Williams (Farewell committee).
VFP members living in Vietnam who have organized the trip are Chuck Palazzo, Chuck Searcy, Suel Jones, Don Blackburn, and Mike Cull.
Submitted by Taylor Searcy, Veteran Member, VFP Atlanta GA Chapter 125
On April 1st, after a few wonderful days in Hanoi, our group prepared for the journey south to Dong Ha. Prior to our departure from Hanoi, we were fortunate enough to have the exceptional historian Mr. Huu Ngoc present a brief history of Vietnam. He succinctly captured the key features of Vietnamese culture and geo-political struggles of the past 3000 years, concluding with an analysis of modern-day Vietnam’s challenge of balancing traditional, community-based values with the individualism and independence brought from the global economy of consumerism. With this stronger understanding of Vietnamese history, the group departed Hanoi to our next destination: Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province.
The first full day in the beautiful, growing city of Dong Ha was full of important and memorable visits. Our first stop was at the Mine Action Center, where the friendly staff of Project RENEW- Phu Nguyen, Hien Ngo and others – introduced us to the hazards that remain from Un-Exploded Ordnance (UXOs) and the UXO management system that is effectively controlling the situation. Through an extensive public outreach program, complete with school visits, a readily accessible hotline number, and quick-response EOD teams, Mr. Hien Ngo explained how Project RENEW has significantly reduced the number of UXO incidents in Quang Tri Province over the past seven years. Along with Mr. Phu Nguyen’s presentation on the legacy of war and the difficulties of reclaiming farm lands since 1975, the entire Project RENEW staff thoroughly impressed us with their professionalism and passion for making Quang Tri safe.
The next stop was witnessing a live UXO demolition of a cluster munition that a local man had discovered the previous day. After the EOD Team Leader’s thorough safety brief, we had the chance to see the UXO up-close. As soon as the team secured the perimeter and led us to a safe observation area, Bill followed the EOD team’s countdown to set the fuse – and what an explosion it was! Sixty sandbags packed around the explosives were thrown all about, and the cluster bomb was successfully neutralized. Our entire group thanked the well-trained, highly-professional EOD team and their encouraging effort to make land safe and save lives.
The rest of the day continued to be packed full of wonderful projects, including a workshop for the blind and the mushroom-growing facilities. The workshop for the blind – over 270 blind in Quang Tri Province as a result of UXO incidents – was an inspiring facility that both trains and employs blind people to make incense and brooms, providing a much-needed income to otherwise destitute families. Another successful project is the mushroom growing facility and the numerous families that it supports. Growing over the past couple of years, Project RENEW’s mushrooms are steadily becoming a major segment of the local market. This effective method of providing mushroom-growing sheds to local families is easily adaptable into families’ lives and ensures a rewarding augment to these villager’s regular income.
After another superb dinner and a good night’s rest, we were ready for a long day of visiting important historical sites within Quang Tri Province. The first stop on the agenda was the former DMZ at the 17th Parallel. Our amazing guide Truc is always full of facts, statistics, and unmatched knowledge of seemingly everything. He made an apt remark that the only part of the DMZ that could be considered a “De-militarized zone” was at the bridge where we crossed. The rest of the DMZ was in actuality not only “militarized,” but witnessed some of the most brutal action of the war. As we walked across the now peaceful bridge, we could only imagine the strife and difficulties of living along this arbitrary border over forty years ago.
Back on the bus and with a scenic drive along the beautiful shore, we made it to our next stop at Vinh Moc Tunnels. This was a large system of underground tunnels and chambers that entire families and entire villages moved into in order to have shelter from relentless aerial raids and naval bombardment. The next stop at Truong Son National Cemetery was also a somber reminder of the tragic reality of this unjust war. Over 10,300 graves provide a final resting place for the bodies of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians who made the ultimate sacrifice for their freedom and independence. Under a large banyan tree, Ann read a passage from Bao Ninh’sThe Sorrow of Waras Dot passed out incense and we reflected on the unrelenting psychological scars of warfare. Our final stop along the beautiful, mesmerizing Highway 9 was the site of the Battle of Khe Sanh. Now housing a small museum and several U.S. aircraft, this high-altitude valley was once the scene of a tactically unnecessary and incredibly brutal battle where the U.S. Air Force dropped over 100,000 tons of bombs (Operation NIAGARA). As we rolled into the serene town of A Luoi, we shared our experiences and reflected on this majestic land that went through such horrific events.
Today we all met at breakfast eager for another wonderful day. We met Professor Ba of Hue University and Mr. Khanh Truong of Hearts For Hue. Both individuals shared their insight into the livelihoods of the local ethnic population and their struggle for a sustainable source of income. So far, ten families in the area have received both cows and a cow shelter with funds provided by Veterans for Peace. While raising and breeding cattle has its challenges, through proper training the families that receive a cow are greatly appreciative of the positive impact this has on their lives. We visited other villagers whose families had two or three generations affected by the terrible consequences of Agent Orange. Although disheartening to see the lingering effects of a deadly dioxin that was sprayed relentlessly over forty years ago, good people like Mr. Truong are helping organize funds, education, and vocational training for these victims.
On today’s final long bus journey from A Luoi to Hue, David had the great idea to reflect on U.S. involvement in Vietnam by reading Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” from April 4th, 1967. Forty-seven years ago to the day, Martin Luther King Jr. gave this eloquent speech at the Riverside Church in New York. We took turns reading from passage to passage, reiterating these sincere words of truth and justice. All of us on this VFP Tour truly believe in Martin Luther King Jr.’s urge that remain true to this day: “There is nothing, except a tragic death wish, to prevent us from re-ordering our priorities, so that the pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war.” Reaching Hue after a spectacular drive through lush mountains, we finally reached Hue and enjoyed a savory meal at Ushi’s. This trip has provided each of us a series of impactful experiences thus far, and while hardly enough time to reflect on these past few days, we have all felt a stronger connection and respect for the Vietnamese and their culture.
Submitted by Bill Creighton, Veteran Member, VFP San Francisco Chapter 69 President
Greetings,
First of all, I highly recommend reading Paul Cox's VFP Viet Nam Tour 2012 Journal, available on our Chapter Blog.
http://vfpsf.wordpress.com/category/viet-nam/vfp-vietnam-2012-tour/
The 2014 Tour rolled into Hue, yesterday. But because of sketchy signal strength over the last several days, I haven't been able to make some additional comments regarding Project Renew. http://www.landmines.org
The members of the Blind Workshop make additional income by making brooms, incense sticks and toothpicks. By selling the products themselves, they retain all of the money. We watched the production of each item and, yes we were able to make purchases on site. The incense stick and toothpick folk did quite well. Only because broom stuffing into a suitcase is difficult, did the broom makers have a tough day. Some members have gone on to formal vocational study and higher income levels. In addition, the Project Renew program provides a great place for the members to hang out with other each other.
The members of the Blind Workshop make additional income by making brooms, incense sticks and toothpicks. By selling the products themselves, they retain all of the money. We watched the production of each item and, yes we were able to make purchases on site. The incense stick and toothpick folk did quite well. Only because broom stuffing into a suitcase is difficult, did the broom makers have a tough day. Some members have gone on to formal vocational study and higher income levels. In addition, the Project Renew program provides a great place for the members to hang out with other each other.
If you've visited the website and watched the videos, you know the effectiveness of the Unexploded Ordinance Project.. The important point to remember is that those who claim it will take millions and millions of dollars to solve a problem that has no ending in sight, are just plain wrong. The techniques of disposal produce excellent results, the cost of equipment is easily affordable and public awareness makes the task even easier. While at the Visitor's Center, I watched a group of school children learn about what the various types unexploded ordinance look like, the proper precautions and the reporting procedures. Lastly, the numbers of deaths and injuries are declining. The project is working.
VFP, through the Outreach program of Project Renew, has provided home improvement donations and additional family income by simply donating a cow to people living on the barest of necessities. We visited beneficiaries of the donations. It doesn't take very much to improve their lives.
People are astonished when they watch and learn about the mushroom families growing mushrooms in a bags. We visited a mushroom family and the Mushroom Center, (affectionately called Mushrooms on a Mission). and as I mentioned earlier, if you watch the website video, remember; the yearly "millions" refers to Viet Namese money ($500 US).
All of the projects are working. Project Renew has unlimited potential. Chapter 160 is investigating avenues of additional funding to create the next stage of organizational development. Any fundraisers with some extra time on your hands out there? Each VFP Chapter should know of, and contribute to, the hard work and dedication going on here, in Viet Nam. The San Francisco Chapter will be a part of the effort.
So, if you haven't checked out the website,yet......
Submitted by Ann Wright, Lifetime VFP member and member of VFP Hawaii Chapter 113
Lady cow owner in A Loui with one of 10 cow shelters VFP has helped fund to protect cows during winter months
