“Final 2008 Vietnam Trip Announcement!” 

Vets With A Mission is making its last announcement for its next scheduled humanitarian team trip to Vietnam! 

This humanitarian medical mission team will serve in Da Nang City, Da Nang Province, September 18 - October 3, 2008. We’ll be working out of a medical clinic built by VWAM in 2000. It’s in Hoa Hai Commune near Marble Mountain. Then the team will work for two days in Lien Chieu District at a Red Cross clinic in Hoa Minh, and close out our work at a medical clinic in Hoa Ky in Cam Le District on the last day. Please note that there is a role for everyone to play on these humanitarian teams regardless of professional training or lack thereof. You do not have to be a doctor or nurse to participate, and both Vietnam vets and non-vets are welcome J. 

Trip price of $3,299 per person based on double occupancy which includes round-trip are from San Francisco (economy-class) and one round-trip air in Vietnam (also economy-class), all hotels in Vietnam with daily breakfast (5 Star hotels), all airport-hotel-airport and team ground transportation, one dinner, visa and processing. 

If you are like most vets, including myself, you have probably thought about returning to Vietnam at some point. I'd be surprised if you said the thought had not crossed your mind at least once. But I know what you're thinking, probably even what you just said, because I've been in your shoes. Only it was about 17 years ago!  Many vets are going back for the first time since the war ended. The country is totally transformed and completely different than when we were there in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.  

During the past eighteen years Vets With A Mission (VWAM) www.vetswithamission.org has taken over 1,150 volunteers both vets and non-vets back to that part of the country we all knew to be the Republic of South Vietnam. Most of the veterans have been Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with a few Air Force and Coast Guard. They returned on a "Reconciliation Tour" trip or on a "Mission, Humanitarian Medical, or Project Team" trip. We take primary health care services to the poorest of the poor, build Habitat For Humanity homes, offer medical/health training, or construct small rural health care stations and/or medical clinics/communes in the city.   

If you have ever thought about going back to Vietnam there isn't a better way to do it. I would be happy to put you in touch with any team member who has experienced a trip with us. I still have not had one Vietnam veteran tell me he regretted going back to Vietnam! Many of the vets stay up to another week to visit their old bases or AO's upon completion of the humanitarian work.  

Why do we do this? We do it in memory of those who didn't comeback or made the ultimate sacrifice; for the ally our country abandoned; in honor of all who served; for the women, children and elderly; and because it's the right thing to do :-). We were the best and brightest then and continue to be so even today.  

If you want to see Vietnam during peace instead of war, and do something that will bring a smile to your face and a sense of satisfaction, you may want to consider this fall 2008 humanitarian medical team trip to Da Nang. You can participate on a planned team trip as an individual or one can be tailored to a group of vets like some of your buddies or a former unit. Please don't hesitate to contact me for additional information or to be placed on our mailing list. You can do this by forwarding your POB or street address.   

I want to "thank you" for your service in Vietnam should you be a vet during the "American War," as the Vietnamese call it. I can say without reservation that should you decide to go over with us, you will not regret the experience. That goes for those of you who are non-vets as well. It is a great trip and very positive experience. Please do contact me for any additional information or with your questions. 

"Chuck" 

Charles Ward, Executive Director

Vets With A Mission 

USNR, B549649, Attack Squadron One Ninety-Five (VA-195) the "Dambusters," USS Oriskany '69, USS Kitty Hawk & Da Nang (Republic of South Vietnam) '70-'71, Kitty Hawk again spring '72. 

PS: The next scheduled trip after this 2008 Da Nang team trip is one to Dong  Ha, Quang Tri Province, September 17 – October 2, 2009.