To skip my tirade, scroll down and click on the blue link and control + click.
I have been pleasantly surprised over the years about the size of the American Heart of my Brothers and Sisters who served in Vietnam in many different capacities. Adoptions in any foreign country are difficult, made even more so during times of armed conflict. One can get a feel how governmental bureaucracy can frustrate by making the road toward a goal filled with potholes. In the case of adoptions and sponsorship, add another government and one finds the road is also mined. Hats off to this Nurse and all those who adopted children of war.
When I see stories such as this, it brings back the good memories of those who did good things for people, both in Vietnam and in the U.S. after the war. I worked with several psychologists, social workers and nurses who served in Vietnam and they continued serving by not only helping Vietnam Veterans adjust back to life after war a mission, but to finally convince the established mental health community of problems around Post Traumatic Stress. They have helped those who served in Vietnam and those that came after.
I am equally disappointed in the general American populace that only express negativity on what America and its citizens have done and continue to do around the world. From major aid programs after the World Wars to helping a country enter the world economy, to assisting in disaster situations on most continents, the U.S. shows a big heart. Can you show me a country that has done more to assist others, more often than the U.S?
On my trips to Vietnam, I have seen ongoing projects from helping poor people with decent housing, orphanage work, medical missions, teaching skills, establishing schools and libraries, and at risk, removal of UEX from former war zones. Even those assigned to combat duties helped when time permitted. Cleft pallets, limb deformities, major skin problems, and other medical problems were re-mediated by the score. I saw the healing process when military men helped others. An almost unknown movie Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder is an example.
The work of CORDS building schools and clinics during wartime had a positive effect even though those helped were eventually merged into a society they fought against. It helped them find work and better health for the future. The medical aid provided by the U.S. and our allies helped improve the infant mortality rate improved as it did the life expectancy of the civilian population. This was unheard of in previous wars. The USG continues official aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
There were combat-related mistakes such as misdirected airstrikes and a long term problem with defoliation that used toxic agents. Where possible, the victims were assisted. Dioxin has had terrible effects on both the civilian and military people but our government is still attempting to assist the current government in re-mediating the severely damaged areas. Perhaps what most people in America are unaware of were the risks taken by the military in Medevacs of civilians who purposely targeted by the enemy. I was witness to this one evening in October 1966 in Ben Tre, Kien Hoa Province. During an operation when most ARVN troops were in the field, the VC targeted only the civilian and dependent area of the town. It resulted in 106 women and children killed or seriously wounded. When the Province Hospital went to overflow, the U.S. Army flew Medevac missions for hours taking the wounded out to other hospitals although it was apparent that the VC used the attack to ambush Medevac aircraft. In the end, the VC lost as the Night Ghost, Spooky, sent a flight of several AC-47s that put a halt to the mortar attack. Nine U.S. helicopters took rounds that night.
The humanitarian side of America is still visible. It is even more visible in places that were once our enemy. In 2012, the wife and I went on a healing journey, sponsored by Soldiers Heart https://www.soldiersheart.net/ with other Vietnam Veterans and their wives in 2012. We saw the good work that volunteers can do. On a recent trip, my wife Betty, a retired Nurse, volunteered to help on a long-term medical mission (Vets With a Mission) http://www.vetswithamission.org/ to Vietnam (their 28th year) working with mostly under served Vietnamese poor and minorities. Most members of the team were Vietnam Veterans. The Internist started his medical career as a Special Forces Medic. The Dentist started as a Navy Corpsman with The Fleet Marine Force. Several others served in aviation, air control or ground combat. One team member, a former USSF A Team member served in Vietnam in 1963. Since then, he has been supporting the education of children in a family where he served in Vietnam. Over the years, that has been a sizable amount. All people in that area are better off because of his contributions to a very poor and oppressed family and village. Several other non-veterans on the team had veteran relatives. Several of the team members also teach first aid in poor areas to treat common local problems from snake bites to skin infections throughout the year. I asked them why they volunteered and most replied that it was a calling in a spiritual way and as simple as a payback for their good fortune. To help others less fortunate, whether from a religious/spiritual, moral or humanitarian standpoint is simply the right thing to do.
This non-governmental organization or NGO is one of over 800 NGOs that exist to help the Vietnamese people. More than 40% are American and we provide over 50% of funds going into the country to help people. I know a few Vietnam Veterans who have helped NGOs over the years. One, a local retired Doc, Richard Small who volunteered to work MEDCAPs in Vietnam when he didn't have to. A Purple Heart was his pay. After the war, he has volunteered with Habitats for Humanity on several of their missions. He was also wounded on one of those missions from a critter bite. He continues volunteer work with the Fisher House among other things. Ask him if he would do it again.
The Vietnam Veteran Association Foundation (VVAF) was the first approved NGO in Vietnam. Their mission was to help find some of our MIAs. They also furnished the Vietnamese officials locations where they might find their own MIAs. The way was paved by General Vessey, retired Army Chief of Staff who the Vietnamese trusted.
Some sadness comes to mind when I read of the good things we do. Currently, those former Vietnamese who chose freedom and the United States have not received the aid that we give former enemies. I have known former VIetnamese Soldiers - most of whom have passed away from Agent Orange-related Cancers that have never gotten U.S. medical assistance. Another category are our civilian volunteers who worked in Vietnam during the war. They also have Agent Orange related medical problems but no programs such as the VA to help them.
There are good opportunities out there to help others and receive some healing in return. It is the best medicine for post-traumatic problems. I recall a few days I had with a TDY SF team in An Giang Province in 1962. They spent most of their time trying to get the population healthy. They identified a serious infectious problem and brought in medicine and help that saved many, many lives. The local people still remember things like that. Even from former enemies there.
Lou
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Bill Laurie <
Seven minute video. Maureen Robinson served two tours as a U.S. Army nurse in Viet Nam. On her second tour she encountered a sickly malnourished orphan of about one year. She decided to adopt him, no easy chore given bureaucratic battles she had to fight. Her persistence paid off and the adoption went through. Here, both Maureen and her son Mark reflect on their wonderful experience.
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