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Le Ly Hayslip Meets with VVAW

By Joe Miller

By Joe Miller,
National Staff

Last Veterans' Day, in Chicago, Vietnam vets from Wisconsin and Illinois had the opportunity to meet with Le Ly Hayslip, the author of two books about her life as a young peasant during the Vietnam war and her subsequent move to the U.S. in a search for peace. These books were the basis of Oliver Stone's film, "Heaven and Earth," released last Christmas, but given short shrift by the critics and theater chains. The film is now out on video, and any vet who has not yet seen it should do so.

Hayslip's participation in VVAW's Veterans Day ceremony last fall came about because a small, but dedicated, group of people from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana decided the would like to invite her to speak on campus. I was one of the participants in that group, and I raised the possibility of Le Ly being invited to speak on Vet's Day;. Through phone conversations during the planning for the university event, Le Ly said she would be happy to speak to VVAW in Chicago.

When the day arrived, we were all pleasantly surprised at how cooperative the weather was—for Chicago in November. While it was chilly, the skies were bright blue. An enthusiastic crowd huddled around the ceremony site, awaiting the arrival of our guest speaker. Le Ly had been met at the airport by three university students, who then drove her to the spot. When her turn on the speakers' list came up, Le Ly stepped to the microphone, and in her quiet voice, spoke powerfully of the search for peace for all veterans of the Vietnam war, American, Vietnamese and others. She spoke of reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States, for a final end to the war.

All of us were deeply moved by her words, and she received warm, prolonged applause as she stepped away from the podium. After the ceremony, Le Ly decided to join us at Annie and Joel's for the traditional post-event gathering. She visited with us there for an hour or so. Annie presented Le Ly with some VVAW souvenirs, we all said our good-byes, then Le Ly and the students headed for Champaign-Urbana. This was one of the most moving of Veterans Day ceremonies, since many of us began to feel a greater sense of why we had opposed the war as veterans and how to reconnect with the Vietnamese as people through in individuals like Le Ly Hayslip.

For those who wish to contribute to Le Ly's efforts to heal the wounds of Vietnam for the people of Vietnam, you should send donations to: Le Ly Hayslip, Director, East Meets West Foundation, 725 Washington Street, #310, Oakland, CA 94607.