Prof. Ron Carver speaks at an event introducing the book “Waging Peace in Vietnam”. (File photo: VNA) He worked tirelessly forthe book “Waging Peace in Vietnam” to be published in the Vietnameselanguage under the title “Tranh dau cho hoa binh”. The book was co-compiled byCarver, his wife Barbara Doherty, and David Cortright, who are all peace-lovingjournalists.
Since the publication of the book,they have held exhibitions to introduce it to 19 universities inthe US and eight others in Vietnam. As the book’s foreword reads, he and his USfriends wished to write the stories “to the millions on both sides, killed,maimed, and morally injured by the bullets, bombs, and chemical weaponsunleashed during our war in Vietnam. And for people of conscience now and intothe future who have the courage to stand against unjust war.”
Together with some war veterans, historians, and scholars ofthe US, Carver has carried out many humanitarian projects in Vietnam to assist peoplein war and disaster-hit areas.
At their home, Carver and his wife reserved two spaces – one for objectsand images of Vietnam and the other for South Africa’s.
He told the Vietnam NewsAgency that Vietnam and South Africa are the countries he has many connectionswith, and they also have the heroes he admires, including President Ho ChiMinh, Madame Binh (former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh), and South Africanleader Nelson Mandela.
On the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - US comprehensive partnership in 2023, Carver andthree other US nationals were honoured with the “For peace and friendship amongnations” insignia, the highest honour from the Vietnam Union of FriendshipOrganisations (VUFO), in recognition of their significant contributions topeace, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the Vietnamese and USpeoples.
At the insignia presentation ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to theUS Nguyen Quoc Dung expressed his admiration for and highly valued therelentless efforts by Carver and the other US friends to contribute to peace,justice, the healing of the wounds of war for Vietnamese people, and theenhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries’ people.
He described the honoureesas unsung heroes in the US who are known by millions of Vietnamese people,adding that they could be proud to be part of the historical milestones ofbilateral relations.
Talking about the sound relations between Vietnam and the USsince their ties were upgraded last year, Carver noted people-to-people linkshave become greatly important since the war ended.
However, it took the US too much time to elevate the relationswith Vietnam to the highest level, he said, expressing his regret that the twocountries underwent 20 years of embargoes, from 1975 to 1995, which should havenever happened.
Peopleof the US, especially war veterans, brought medical supplies and helped buildhealth stations and schools in Vietnam as soon as the war was over. Since then,peace-loving people from the US began coming to Vietnam and took part in theclearance of unexploded ordnance left by their country.
Hevoiced his delight that these efforts by the US people have received moreassistance from their Government, a thing any country should do.
Carver perceived that people of the US should continue takingresponsibility and supporting Vietnamese people to deal with heavy consequencesof the war.
Over the last eight years, he has visited Vietnam for over 10times to implement projects on war legacy settlement and education. He and manyother peace-loving people of the US have been committed to devoting theirentire life to the journey of “Waging Peace in Vietnam”./.
VNA
