A new day of thanksgiving - Local Navy
man on board as U.S. Navy ship visits Vietnam for the first time since 1973
VIETNAM VISIT
By Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Stenger On November 19, 2003 the USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
(F.K.A. Saigon). This visit marked the first time that a U.S. Navy ship visited Vietnam since 1973. This visit symbolized the normalization of relations between our two nations. The port of call provided the crew with a chance to partake in sightseeing and cultural exchanges. Over 50 international and local media representatives, including a live broadcast by CNN, covered this historic event. The USS Vandegrift is an Oliver Hazard Perry-Class Guided Missile Frigate. The warship, with a crew of approximately 200 sailors, is a multi-mission platform that can operate two helicopters for undersea warfare and reconnaissance missions. The Vandegrift is part of the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. Since diplomatic relations were restored in 1995, the U.S. and Vietnamese governments have made many steps in the right direction to better relations. The U.S. Navy has common security interests with governments in SE Asia, such as counter-terrorism and regional security. Ship visits, such as this, are an excellent demonstration of the U.S. commitment in the region and continued interests to ensure a climate for regional stability and economic prosperity. The Vandegriftís visit to Vietnam indicates that both countries are looking to the future to further improve our bilateral relationship and to the benefits it will bring not only to the U.S. and Vietnam, but the entire region. Currently, the U.S. and Vietnamese militaries cooperate in POW/MIA recovery missions, military medicine, military law, and participate in regional conferences on various topics. The Vandegriftís visit was another step forward in our military-to-military cooperation. During the visit the Vandegrift hosted numerous ship tours for Vietnamese military and political leaders. Vandegrift also hosted an evening reception for numerous political and military leaders from around the world. The crew participated in many events with the people of Vietnam; those events included a volleyball match with our Vietnamese counterparts. The crew also lent a helping hand in the local community with three different community relationís projects, they included painting an elementary school, digging a foundation for a new kindergarten school building and the donation of toys, sewing machines and medical supplies to an orphanage. Along with the community and cultural relations projects the crew of the Vandegrift enjoyed shopping and sightseeing during their 3-day stay in Ho Chi Minh City. My first impression of Vietnam was a very good one. The people were very receptive of our visit, there was no one protesting our being there. This may be due to the fact that only 40 percent of Vietnamís population of 80 million were around during the Vietnam conflict. Being one of the first crew members to leave the boat and go to the downtown area, I had the unique experience of being the first U.S. soldier drawing much attention while walking around downtown Ho Chi Minh. Not to mention the fact that I was a shipís representative for the REUTERS media crew. With numerous reporters, camera crews, and photographers around me as I walked the bustling streets and sidewalks of Ho Chi Minh City, I created an appearance that I was someone famous, which I am not. On the second day of my visit I participated in the foundation project for the kindergarten school. We left the ship in a diplomatic motorcade, which included the U.S. Consulate General to Ho Chi Minh City, Emi Yamauchi, who is truly a shining example of Americaís diplomacy. The motorcade passed over the Saigon River via ferry and then traveled for two hours to rural Vietnam. On the way one could see ponds, which are actually shrimp and crab farms, as far as the eye could see. Shrimp and crab are major exports in the region. There were many exchanges of waves between the local Vietnamese citizens and us during our trip to the project site. Upon arrival to the site over 100 teachers and school children greeted us with a ceremony honoring the common bond in the commitment to improve the educational facilities for these children. After the job was complete, the local citizens made a delicious seafood dinner to show thanks for what was accomplished. It was a great experience to share both our cultures and make lasting friendships between them. And above all it showed that education, no matter where you are from in the world, is the foundation for the success of future generations. This port visit to Vietnam was one that I will never forget. I again experienced a new and great culture of the world and saw the goodwill of its people. I learned that regardless of the past, we can make amends and take strides to better ourselves for the future. This visit was a great example to the world that this can be accomplished. Editorís note: The Post Review is pleased that Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Stenger agreed to share his experience with us. The ship is on its way back to Japan where Stenger will be with his wife and child on Thanksgiving. Stenger graduted from Rush City High School.
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