Download PDF of this full issue: v24n1.pdf (11.8 MB)

Veterans Peace and Reconciliation Park

By VVAW

On December 31, 1993, in Hanoi, Vietnam, a contract for the building of a Veterans Peace and Reconciliation Park was drown up and signed by Nguyen Nhu Nga, Nguyen Duc Van and Nguyen Ngoc Hung, representatives for the Vietnamese chapter, and Roy M Boehm, representative for the American chapter. The site for this park is located near Van Noi village, Dong, Anh district; and 4km, north of Hanoi. Land was donated by the Agriculture and Forestry Departments.

This park will consist of fish ponds, fruit trees, shrubs and flowers. The focal point of the park will be a mound, based on Native American effigy mounds, in the shape of a dove.

The idea for the park originated from a visit by Nguyen Ngoc Hung in late 1990 to the Highground Memorial in central Wisconsin. He was taken there while on a visit to Madison where he talked to veterans groups and others about the need for reconciliation and friendship.

Hung's visit to the Highground had a powerful effect on both he and the American veterans, he was impressed by the emphasis on healing at the memorial, but he was profoundly moved by the Dove Mound. Hung was told of the significance of the mound; that is was a place to go to remember their friends who are missing or were killed, a place to leave their own pain behind, a place so powerful that some veterans had willed their ashed to be placed on the mound when they died. When Hung was told of this, he went to the mound and burned incense and said a prayer for his brother who is missing in action.

Last summer, when I heard that Hung was going to be in the U.S. again, I arranged to have him come to Madison again to speak. By the time I had begun my own journey toward healing. In February, 1992, I went back to Vietnam for the first time since the war. I went with eleven other veterans from across the U.S. to Xuan Hiep village, Dong Ngai province, to build a medical clinic. That experience was powerful for all of us and showed me how much a part of my life Vietnam is.

In the process of organizing Hung's talks, I heard about his experience at the Highground and started thinking about the possibility of building a memorial park like that in Vietnam. When Hung arrived we talked about this idea, both of us convinced of the power this park would have for healing and reconciliation. This would not be a memorial to war. It would be a green living entity with a Dove Mound as it's centerpiece.

When I arrive in Hanoi last December, I saw first hand just how much the veterans there want this park. Not only do they not hate us, there is an empathy and bond there that exists only between veterans. Every meeting was filled with enthusiasm and excitement, an intense desire for this park to happen. In spite of the fact that the Vietnamese government has donated this land, this is a grassroots effort by the veterans there.

Work will by started this summer by the Vietnamese, depending on an initial funding by the American chapter of $10,000, this work will prepare the site for the coming together of veterans from both countries in October to build the Dove Mound.

Although we need funding for the park, it is just as important that veterans come to Vietnam to participate in the work on this memorial. The schedule now is to arrive in Hanoi in late October, 1994 (exact date will be determined later), to work for two days building the mound. On the third day there will be ceremonies celebrating this event. Following the ceremonies, the Vietnam veterans have offered to arrange for travel to our old AO's or anywhere in Vietnam.

This park is a chance to work with each other, former enemies, to heal ourselves and our countries. To build instead of destroy, and to finally put the war behind us and move together as friends. And, finally, the Vietnamese want us to come and see their country at peace.

The Religious Society of Friends, (Quakers) has agreed to set up on account for us for tax exempt contributions. Make checks out to Madison Monthly Meeting. Be sure to note on the check either Veterans Park or Peace Park. Mail to Religious Society of Friends, 1704 Roberts Ct. Madison, Wisconsin 53711. For more information contact Roy M. (Mike) Boehm at 608-767-3399, or write to 4035 Ryan Rd. Blue Mounds, Wisconsin 53517.