American veteran heals war wounds after 30 years: Learned so much about the kindness of the Vietnamese people.

Chuck Searcy (left) spent most of his life in Vietnam contributing to the healing process of war - Photo: NGO XUAN HIEN

Looking to the future, the American veteran Chuck Searcy placed his faith in the younger generation, hoping they would learn from the past to avoid war at all costs and understand the long-term consequences of war.

Two trips that shaped my life.

In June 1967, Chuck Searcy, 23 years old, arrived in Saigon as a military intelligence analyst, specializing in gathering information about units of the Vietnam People's Army.

The work of processing reports gradually led him and many of his colleagues to realize a harsh truth: much of the information was inaccurate, intended to reinforce the message that the US was winning. This disillusionment ignited his opposition to the war.

Returning to the US after a year in the war, Chuck Searcy actively participated in the anti-war movement, spreading the message that "the war was a mistake, we need to get out of Vietnam."

In 1992, he and another veteran returned to Vietnam for 30 days. He traveled from Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta to Hanoi and gradually southward. What surprised and moved him was the warm, hospitable, and friendly attitude of the Vietnamese people towards the two veterans. The people showed no anger, but instead forgiveness.

However, he was also shocked to see the consequences of the war, especially the unexploded bombs and mines scattered everywhere. The image of poor people struggling to make a living by dangerously dismantling war debris haunted him and reshaped his life.

Chuck Searcy participates in a humanitarian activity - Photo: NGO XUAN HIEN

The Silent American Veteran

In 1995, Chuck Searcy returned to Vietnam to work at Bach Mai Hospital and the National Children's Hospital (Hanoi). Initially, he thought this mission would last three years. However, his trips to rural areas, witnessing the enormous challenges posed by landmines and Agent Orange in heavily devastated provinces like Quang Tri , spurred him on.

He felt that America had a moral obligation to help the Vietnamese people overcome the consequences of the war. That thought kept him in Vietnam longer than planned, for 30 years.

He worked to secure $3 million in funding from the US government for demining equipment in Quang Tri province in 1996. In 2001, he, along with the Quang Tri provincial government and partners, co-founded the RENEW project (Environmental Restoration and War Consequences Remediation) in Dong Ha. Since then, his life has been closely intertwined with this land.

For the past 30 years, Chuck Searcy has become a familiar face in Quang Tri, consistently participating in events aimed at addressing the consequences of war. The RENEW project, with his contributions and those of many organizations, has diligently carried out demining, accident prevention education, rehabilitation, and income generation for victims.

He humbly stated that he himself had learned a great deal from the kindness and forgiveness of the Vietnamese people.

Chuck Searcy made a quiet but significant contribution to clearing landmines from the land in Quang Tri - Photo: Ngo Xuan Hien

He was moved by the changes in Quang Tri after 50 years, from a "bomb-ridden area" to a developing community with many achievements in agriculture, tourism, and clean energy. The greatest achievement that he was most proud of was "the significant reduction in the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by unexploded ordnance - now almost zero."

For his tireless contributions, Chuck was honored with the Friendship Order of Vietnam in 2003.

Mr. Dinh Ngoc Vu, deputy director of the Quang Tri Mine Action Center, said that Chuck Searcy has become a meaningful bridge between the people of the two countries. "His enduring and profound contributions, especially in Quang Tri – a land heavily affected by the consequences of war – have left a significant and highly valuable mark on Vietnam," Mr. Vu said.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Thai Huu Lieu, deputy director of the Quang Tri Department of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that Mr. Chuck Searcy is a close friend and "ambassador for Peace" deeply connected to Vietnam and Quang Tri.

"With the dedication of a U.S. veteran and a deep understanding of Vietnam and its people, Chuck Searcy has made invaluable contributions to the joint effort to reconcile and promote comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the United States."

"He and other Americans who love Vietnam have always supported and helped Vietnam heal the lasting effects of landmines left over from the war," said Mr. Thai Huu Lieu.

The image of the gray-haired American veteran diligently healing the wounds of war in Quang Tri is not only a personal story of compassion, but also a powerful symbol of reconciliation and the ability to build a better future together.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuu-binh-my-30-nam-han-gan-vet-thuong-chien-tranh-hoc-duoc-rat-nhieu-ve-long-tot-cua-nguoi-viet-nam-20250506084451592.htm