Neil Hannan's 2016 Vietnam Trip: March 31 2200 Vietnam Time Hoi An

Yesterday was an action-packed day, that's for sure. Thong, Andy, and the driver picked me up at my DaNang hotel at 0800, after which we headed down Highway 1 for visits with The, Duong, and Thua. We were welcomed at the first stop by a smiling Lady The, who was getting around with some difficulty. A one year's supply of powdered milk, 12 large cans, was provided. It seems that milk is the what serves her best these days. She also received vitamins, pain reliever, glucosamine chondroitin, assorted foodstuffs, and $50 cash for buying fresh at the market. Overall, she seems to be doing pretty well, given her age. I again asked if she would be interested in a walker, to which responded in the negative. It looks like The will stay with her old stick. Thong will check with her from time to time to learn how the supplements/pain relievers are working for her. We visited Son's grave and their former house. Andy, the reporter, chronicled our activities.

The next stop was at the house of my 196th Infantry comrade, Duong. He seems to be doing OK, too, given his disability. We provided food, glucosamine chondroitin, vitamins, pain relievers, and $50 cash. Duong was in 2nd platoon Co A 3/21 196th Light Infantry, as was I. He was happy to receive two 196th t-shirts, produced and contributed by 196th veteran Gary Bonar. Duong has had extreme difficulty obtaining water, as it must be given to him by others. So, I have started the wheels turning for the drilling of a well, complete with pump and water line. This will be huge for our legless friend. The cost of everything is about $375. My hope is to be able to return to his house after completing the missions in Hue and Nhi Ha to pay for the project and insure a timely completion. In his advancing years, use of his hand-driven cart is minimal due to strength limitations. Duong has agreed that finding a new recipient for the cart makes sense. So, I would like to nose around his little hamlet with hopes to location someone who really needs, and can operate, the cart. His cart was provided by D.O.V.E Fund, with us covering delivery. It's so sad that Duong just cannot effectively operate this excellent mobility device. Remember that he has no legs, which makes it much tougher. What he really needs is an low-profile electric cart, which I suppose would have to be procured from Saigon. We'll try to get the well operational, then go from there. One step at a time...

The final visit was to Thua, another 196th Infantry veteran. With our contributions and help from former U.S. comrades, he seems to be happy and doing well. We delivered glucosamine chondroitin (which he absolutely needs), vitamins, pain relievers, and some food treats. And, of course, candy for the grandchildren. He also was honored to receive one of Gary Bonar's dandy 196th Infantry shirts. In addition, a generous gift from one of our 196th comrades was handed to the smiling Thua. Before departing, we held a moment of remembrance for Bill Bacon, who served with Thua during the war. Bill, who was S-5, platoon leader, and company commander, died of brain cancer a short time ago.

Tomorrow will find me on a bus to Hue, where I'll meet Khanh of Hearts for Hue. We'll be riding around in a van snuggled up to ducks and pigs. No need to shower that morning. Photos attached of yesterday's activities. Andy will be writing a story about Son and yesterday's activities.

Neil