Neil Hannan's 2018 Vietnam Humanitarian Trip

Leaving Lady The's, we traveled some more narrow roads to Duong's. We made our way up to his house on the path that we'd paved for him several years ago, and found him in the doorway greeting us with his cheerful one-toothed smile. He and my father both served in the same platoon during the war, but at different times. Duong joined the 196th Light Infantry Brigade after my father returned to The United States. He served as a Kit Carson Scout. They were highly valuable, as they were far more familiar with the terrain and had extensive knowledge of enemy tactics. Duong lost both of his legs in an mortar round booby trap explosion. Food, vitamins, ibuprofen, a new fan, candy for the children, and money for him to spend on food were delivered. He's been taking his vitamins and medication as recommended, and now has another full-year's supply. Gesturing to his arms, he said that the multi-vitamins are making him feel stronger and healthier, and that the ibuprofen is...

From Son's grave, we went to visit her mother, Lady The. At 96 years old, she looked fresh as a daisy... freshly bathed, hair brushed and pulled back in a headband, pretty earrings, bracelet and necklace, and clean pretty clothes. It was 50 years ago, when she was 46 years old, that she gave the nod to my father, silently giving the 19-year-old American solider permission to carry away her wounded daughter. Lady The was given a fan for her bedroom, food, vitamins, and money for food. Like Thua, she's been taking her vitamins regularly and said that they make her feel much better. Kira handed out candy that we brought to the children. In previous years, Lady The used a wooden walking stick to help her get around. We saw that she is now using a strong metal cane with a handle and footed-base that provides more stability than her stick offered. My father's plan is to return to visit her again in ten months. You Can See Her New Cane Beside Her An Appreciative ...

After hugs and goodbyes at Thua's house, we traveled on to honor Son by burning incense at her grave. This is a short post, but as this whole journey started with her, I feel she should have her own post and not be grouped in with our other visits. She was a beautiful lady who had a very hard life filled with more hardships that most bear. A childhood defined by war (during which she lost her foot to an explosion at 12 years old), the loss of her father during the war, the death of her husband, the death of her 12-year-old daughter due to a brain tumor, a stroke that limited her ability to move and speak, and a life of extreme poverty and pain. I'm very grateful that my dad found her in time to add happiness to the last couple years of her life and ease some of her pain. It is a great thing to be remembered, loved, and cared for and Son was all of those things from my father and all of those who contributed to support her.

Departing from Da Nang yesterday, heading towards our first stop at Thua's home, our van began on paved multi-lane developed highways and ended up on narrow dirt pathways that were clearly used only for walking and motor bikes. A fearless and talented driver we had. Thua and his family came out and met us out in front of his house, all smiles. We delivered vitamins, joint medication, ibuprofen, an electric fan, snacks for his family, and candy for the children. We determined that he has been taking the vitamins and medications that were delivered last year as directed and that he notices quite an improvement! He now has another year's supply. One of Thua's 196th comrades from the United States, with whom he was good friends during the war, generously donated funds specifically for Thua, which we passed along to him. Thua's wife was an attentive hostess, pulling up chairs for everyone and offering us more drinks (water and coca cola) than we could consume. The childre...

Last evening was spent in good company, as we sat out on the street in Da Nang conversing with Thong, several of his students who are learning to speak English, and a man who fought for the NVA for five years.  He was a Major who was in command of 315 soldiers. He enjoyed seeing photos of my dad when he was a solider, and in turn shared pictures of himself in uniform from his military days. Thong's 13-year-old granddaughter is also learning English; she and Kira bonded and spent the duration of our visit talking and walking around together. Kira even got to take a couple rides on a motor bike (the main form of transportation in Vietnam). At 9:00am this morning, we will be picked up and will be on our way to  LZ Colt area where Lady The, Thua, and Duong live. LZ Colt was the site that my dad was first choppered into his unit after arriving in Vietnam February 1968. The 196th Light Infantry Brigade's fighting ranged from the DMZ down to northwest of Tam Kỳ . After o...

Thong, Katie, Kira, and I spent an hour or so today at Marble Mountain, located on the outskirts of DaNang. It is said that the Viet Cong operated a hospital inside the mountain, which was extremely close to DaNang's air field. "Right under our noses", they said. The marble sculptures, some involving a year's effort,  are absolutely beautiful. The hired car required for tomorrow's visits to Lady The, Thua, and Duong was arranged about an hour ago. All is now ready. Neil

Today, here in DaNang, Thong took me via motorbike to a jewelry store to exchange U. S. dollars for Vietnamese Dong. The Vietnamese owner of the store served in Co D 3/21 196th Light Infantry 1969-1970! I only had two 196th hats left and brought both on this trip...one for me and one for Katie. Well, now we're down to just one hat and I'm hanging onto that one! Katie had to cough hers up, I'm afraid. Mr. Man & Neil The veteran's name is Man and he spent much time in and around LZ Ross. He recalls a Lt. Black and a medic Dad (sp?) from LZ Ross. Now, listen up Spencer Baba, Man mentioned knowing Thua, who I will visit tomorrow! This is big news and Thong, aka Damn Guide, must be credited for leading me to Mr. Man. Man- Co D 3/21 196th LIB Thua-196th Light Infantry Brigade Man & Damn Guide Items have been secured this AM for tomorrow's visit to Thua, Duong, and Lady The. Must rush back over to Thong's place now. Neil

On Friday we journeyed about two hours southwest to the Mekong Delta. This area is the primary distributor of rice for the country (producing 80% of Vietnam's rice) and fish (supplying 2/3 of Vietnam's seafood), and a significant supplier of a myriad of other products such as fruits, candies made from local coconuts, and snake wine. Mekong Delta Region at the Southern Tip of Vietnam We observed locals making regional candies, feasted on the local cuisine, biked through a little village (dodging most of the low-hanging bananas), enjoyed some regional folk music, boated through the floating market, and rode a sampan along the muddy water. We also sampled their snake wine... alcohol which has been marinated with herbs and the venom from a cobra that is coiled inside. The floating market is a very unique thing to observe. Each boat has a tall pole attached to the front, on the top of which they display what they are se...

DaNang is beautiful at night, by the way.  Here's a view towards the river from our hotel. How things have changed during the last 50 years! Neil

Early this afternoon we stopped at the Reunification Palace, formerly the headquarters for the South Vietnamese government during the war. NVA Tank #843, which is famous for having rammed the Palace gate April 30, 1975, is on display. The photo of this event, which signaled the fall of South Vietnam, was published extensively throughout the world. The war was over.... Katie & Kira at Reunification Palace Gate At 6 PM we were on a Vietnam Airlines flight to DaNang, where Thong. (Damn Guide), his daughter, and granddaughter were was waiting for us. After checking into our hotel, located just a block from Thong's house, we rushed to the roof to catch the tail end of the amazing DaNang International Fireworks Competition. I snapped a few photos of USA versus France, but my little camera was inadequate in capturing these world-class displays. In July 1968, while my infantry company had set up during the heat of the day to receive resupply ch...