For a Peaceful Vietnam: "Let's Talk About Peace"

Conveying the message of peace, Mr. David Clark hopes that world leaders will consider Vietnam's image when discussing peace...

Mr. David Clark said: "There is a paradox in my life. This year, I am a 75-year-old man and have lived in Da Nang for over 10 years. In this city, in 1968, I came to fight when I was a 19-year-old young man, with the highest ideals, the greatest fears, and many horrific things happening at that time. And then, it is here, decades later, that I found the greatest peace of my life."

"PARADOX" AND PEACE

On the morning of April 11, Mr. David Clark, a former American soldier, now the General Secretary cum Treasurer of Veterans For Peace Chapter 160 (VFP 160, an American veterans for peace organization in Vietnam), proactively called me after my earlier interview invitation.

He made coffee, exchanged greetings, and a few things before starting the conversation. Sitting at the table, he took a sip of coffee and said, "I'm ready for the interview. Let's talk about peace."

David Clark and his wife Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (Ushi Clark) in Ao Dai by the Huong River

David Clark enlisted voluntarily in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. Two years later, he received orders to deploy to Vietnam to fight as an elite infantry marine, operating in the 1st Marine Division based in Da Nang. David Clark vividly remembers his 13 months of service in Vietnam, from July 1968 to August 1969, and the events of that time haunted him for decades. Upon returning home, he was not welcomed by the American people. He struggled with alcohol addiction, grappled with the stress of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and endured nightmares...

In May 2007, David Clark returned to Vietnam for the first time with a friend who had served in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. It was also his first time climbing the Marble Mountains (Da Nang - his former base). From the mountain's summit, he gazed down at the surging waves below and looked up at the peaceful blue sky and white clouds.

"Everything is peaceful. No bombs, no guns, no helicopters. Just peace. The war has truly ended," Clark shared his emotions at that time.

Image of David Clark in the U.S. Marine Corps

In 2011, he extended his visit to Vietnam and stayed for a year, contrary to the initial plan of just one week. In 2013, he arranged everything in the U.S. and then relocated to settle in Da Nang, where he has remained until now. During the conversation with Thanh Nien, the American veteran consistently emphasized the word "paradox." He shared: "There is a paradox in my life. This year, I am a 75-year-old man and have lived in Da Nang for over 10 years. In this city, in 1968, I came to fight when I was a 19-year-old young man, with the highest ideals, the greatest fears, and many horrific things happening at that time. And then, it is here, decades later, that I found the greatest peace of my life."

He no longer has to wear weapons all the time, no longer has to think about war. "In the past, I was part of the problem, of the chaos of the war. Today I am part of the solution, of the efforts to heal the wounds," he said.

CONTRIBUTING TO CHILDREN, FOR VIETNAM'S EDUCATION

In 2013, David Clark met and married Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (Ushi Clark). They live peacefully in a house near the beach. It can be seen in his eyes the simple happiness when he proudly said that just a few steps away is the sea, the mountains, and there is even a small river near his house.

"My wife introduced me to Mr. Chuck Searcy (currently the President of VFP 160 - NV) and directed me to the VFP's current activities. My wife is very beautiful and always loves and cares for me wholeheartedly. I don't think people expect anything more than that. Once we have peace in our hearts, it means we have everything," David Clark recounted.

VFP 160 is an international branch with members in Vietnam and the United States, including former soldiers, military family members... The organization aims to build a culture of peace and heal the wounds of war. Currently, VFP 160 has projects including Tours of Vietnam (organizing internal tours to Vietnam for veterans), Bikes for Education (advocating support, providing bicycles to children in remote areas for education), and UXO & Agent Orange (supporting victims affected by Agent Orange and the issue of unexploded ordnance in Vietnam).

David Clark presents bicycles to disadvantaged students in Vietnam

David Clark is currently the Deputy Project Director of Bikes for Education and the Director of the Lite-A-Bike, Save-A-Life, Vietnam program [1]. He recounted the saying often cited by many American veterans: "That a man never stands so tall as when he bends down to help a child."

David Clark's commitment to children is as boundless as his affection for Vietnam. Reflecting on the serendipity of establishing the Lite-A-Bike, Save-A-Life, Vietnam program, he shared an incident from his past when he was driving at night in Vietnam and nearly collided with three children on bicycles due to poor visibility. This incident prompted him to ponder the frequency of bicycle and car accidents at night in Asia, especially in Vietnam.

For over 10 years, his family and numerous volunteers have donated over 3,000 bicycles to underprivileged children in border areas of Vietnam. Additionally, they have affixed reflective stickers and rear lights to over 6,000 bicycles. While acknowledging that their efforts constitute only a small part, he believes it will contribute to reducing unfortunate accidents.

"We observe that children in remote areas live 5-6 km away from school and lack bicycles to commute. Therefore, we provide bicycles to impoverished children. We rejoice in their increased educational opportunities. They will learn to read, write, and hopefully become positive contributors to the future. Consequently, they will become valuable members of society," expressed David Clark.

Highlighting stories of young volunteers collecting plastic waste on the beach, David Clark underscored the ingenuity and role of young people. He believes that initiatives for Vietnam's education will lay a solid foundation for young individuals to tackle societal issues in the future and uphold peace. (to be continued) Vietnam is the epitome of peace

Conveying the message of peace, Mr. David Clark hopes that world leaders will consider Vietnam's image when discussing peace or engaging in negotiations. For him, Vietnam epitomizes peace. Vietnam has normalized relations with former adversaries, including the United States. Presently, the two nations have become Comprehensive Strategic Partners.

Mr. David Clark also aspires that one day, American veterans who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan will return to those countries and find peace there, similar to his experience in Vietnam.

Pham Thu Ngan / Thanh Nien Newspaper

Foootnote:

[1] Read more here: website: https://givingitbacktokids.org/save-a-life-lite-a-bike-vietnam.php