War Veterans’ Contribution to Vietnam-US Relations

On March 16, the Vietnam-US Society and Veterans for Peace co-hosted a workshop on the role of war veterans in building friendship and bilateral cooperation. The event was part of the agenda of a delegation from the Veterans for Peace during their visit to Vietnam. Participants discussed the Vietnam-US relationship, the role of war veterans in reconciliation and bilateral ties, and the ongoing consequences of the war in Vietnam. They shared difficulties in the search for the remains of the two countries’ servicemen and soldiers in Vietnam. Many American veterans expressed their delight to return to Vietnam and witness its development. David Martin Anderson, who fought in the Vietnam war from 1968 to 1969, said, “It was very interesting and it was pleasant to me to hear Vietnamese soldiers. When I started hearing that in Vietnam, about the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese soldiers, not hating America, it was unbelievable to me. I look forward to come back here and do something. I want to make a donation, maybe to the Agent Orange Foundation, to the children. I want to dedicate my life and do something for the Vietnamese.” (VOV.vn Mar 15)