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Chuck Ward with children in Hiep Duc Que Son Valley, Vietnam.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Dr. Darly Bernardo of Newberry with a patient during a VWAM medical mission.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Newberry’s Nate Bernardo on VWAM trip in March-April 2014.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Dr. Tim Stafford of Newberry seeing a patient in Vietnam on a VWAM trip.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Furama vets are honored at a dinner in Da Nang by the team for their service during the war.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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A VWAM team member showing compassion for one of the elderly patients, who had to be carried to her appointments/examinations.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Newberrians Randy Berry and dentist Dr. Erwin Baker with patients.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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VWAM played a minor role in helping to identify and return these remains of a U.S. Marine who was MIA for four decades. The ceremony took place at the Da Nang International Airport.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
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Aveleigh Presbyterian Church members from Newberry County in Vietnam.
Photo courtesy of VWAM
Vets With A Mission will make its first trip into the former North Vietnam next spring, according to Chuck Ward.
The trip will come on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, says Ward, who had an interesting encounter on a recent trip while walking on My Khe beach in the city of Da Nang. Nicknamed “China Beach” by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War, My Khe beach was also the fictional setting for the dramatic series “China Beach,” which aired on ABC from 1988 to 1991.
Ward’s chance meeting on the beach was fairly dramatic, too.
“We happened to meet a Russian who was visiting South Vietnam for the first time,” he says. “In 1966-67 he was in Hanoi teaching the Vietnamese how to fire missiles at American aircraft.” The former Soviet soldier told Ward that there’s a Russian Vietnam veterans association with about 22,000 members.
But through-the-looking-glass meetings with former enemies – known or covert -- doesn’t phase Ward: He’s seen it all on 25 years of trips to Vietnam.
“The things we have to jump over and through to bring a team to Vietnam, it’s unbelievable. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do if you want to do it!” he says.The rewards come from appreciative Vietnamese, such as youth whose lives have been saved by the VWAM Children’s Heart Surgery program. As the Scripture that Ward included in the program mailer says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…” --Matthew 6:21.
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Participants in Vets With A Mission programs – both American and Vietnamese – often write to VWAM to share their appreciation. Here are a few gleanings from recent correspondence:
“It was 20 years ago last month that I took my first trip to Vietnam, a very life changing trip and experience! Working for VWAM for three years while living in Saigon was an awesome experience. It was life changing for me. Keep up the good work! – Merilyn Deniston, Washington state
“I thank you for your mercy on poor Vietnamese, may God bless you.” – Oanh Thu, Hue, Vietnam
“Welcome home to all our new friends on the Hue Team. … I have realized since coming home that being back there was like I had never left. We treasure the memories and pray to see many of you again. Thanks to the entire organization for everything, and we mean that, everyyhing. You are serving above and beyond.” – Vietnam vet Nurse Bob and Hilda, Barnwell, S.C.
“Thanks. I wondered what I could do not being a medical professional, but it was the ‘trip of a lifetime’ for me.” –Vietnam vet Bruce Williams, Texas
“The girls and I really enjoyed the trip. I think it really gave them a new appreciation for what we have here in the U.S., and compassion for all those in Vietnam who don’t have what we consider the basic necessities. … I know I speak for the girls, we got more back than we gave.” –Sandy Riley, Florida
“I cannot thank God enough for the opportunity to connect with VWAM. I realize today that my healing was only complete after my trip back with VWAM, seeing the masses of people that came from miles around to see the American doctors was incredible.” – Vietnam vet Joe Skalamera, Kissimmee, Fla.
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