'Vets With A Mission'

by Stan Lowe, Chairman (retired), Wyoming Veterans' Commission
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:36 PM MST

"Vets With A Mission" (VWAM) was organized 20 years ago to send volunteer teams of Vietnam War veterans and non-vets, including doctors and nurses, to former South Vietnam.

At their own expense, they provide medical care, reconciliation and renewal to those betrayed people whom our government cruelly abandoned March 29, 1973, and let fend for themselves without U.S.-promised military supplies.

Remember, the Vietnam War ended when Soviet-supplied North Vietnamese forces overran South Vietnam's demoralized, unsupplied troops and conquered our former ally.

It was a major setback due to failed U.S. diplomacy (a "peace treaty" that left communist troops inside South Vietnam awaiting withdrawal of U.S. troops!) and enormous loss of international prestige, which even yet today others venture to exploit.

After other wars, a victorious U.S. extended a helping hand to rebuild defeated countries with American taxpayers' money. Obviously, communist Vietnam is not eligible.

Nonetheless, much needs to be done in that poverty-stricken country, whose standard of living still lags behind most of the world.

So, VWAM undertook to help South Vietnamese people, using money and tangible goods provided by private and corporate donors and collaborating with other charitable organizations.

There are signs that modern Vietnam is changing, though reports persist of oppression. VWAM's efforts are believed to be helping improve conditions for the people, Christians in particular.

During the past 18 years, more than 1,150 vets, Marines, Army and Navy personnel, and a few Air Force and Coast Guard, plus non-vet volunteers, have made VWAM's healing pilgrimages that benefit both the vets and South Vietnamese.

For example, in 2007, two medical teams comprised of 21 vets and 28 non-vets treated more than 2,400 people, gave away $21,000 of medicine and sponsored 23 major operations costing $29,000 (12 were heart surgeries).

They distributed 1,500 pairs of eyeglasses valued at about $15,000 and provided $2,000 for wheelchairs, walkers and canes for the elderly.

Thirty-five blind children were given pointers and training so they could experience independence for the first time.

In past years, 36 cargo containers loaded with medical equipment and pharmaceutical supplies, clothing, etc., valued at more than $3 million, were sent over.

Nearly 30 rural health care clinics were built, costing more than $370,000.

An orphanage was constructed, another renovated, two churches improved, one school was built and six water wells were drilled or dug by hand.

A program for orphan and street children was implemented and other projects - computers donated plus computer training, and vocational rehabilitation programs for drug addicts, prostitutes and street children initiated - costing $120,000.

Mission teams partnered with mainline denomination churches to deal with Vietnam's acute hunger, provide disaster relief and promote public health awareness and education.

In 2006, part of one team worked for two missionaries to raise money for building materials, equipment, tools, computer software and hardware.

Other teammates were assigned to the Love of Arts Centre, developed by Australians Paul and Deb Hilton, whose chief mission is to teach English and offer the Vietnamese training to get jobs.

The Arts Centre's music teacher, Madam Truong Tuong Vi, is well known throughout Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, she entertained the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong, like Bob Hope performed 1965-72 for American service men and women.

While VWAM volunteers worked at the Arts Centre, Madam Vi noticed how hard they worked and how well they treated Vietnamese people.

The day before the volunteers finished working, Madam Vi put together a "thank you" program. The American Vietnam War vets were seated as special guests.

The children sang, "I Love You, Lord," and Madam Vi dedicated her song, "Oh, Holy Night," to honor the assembled American vets.

At the end, she said, "May God Bless You."

There wasn't a dry eye in the place.

You see, Madam Vi is a recent convert to Christianity, and has renounced her communist ties.

Because she loves music, she has thrown her considerable political weight and well-connected friendships to support the Art Centre project.

VWAM can be reached at P.O. Box 202, Newberry, SC 29108, or by calling 1-803-405-9926. Send e-mail to vetswithamission@backroads.net, or visit http://www.vwam.com.

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