Story by Seaman Erik Melgar
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
Visiting Vietnam is something not many Sailors will
experience in their Navy career. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) is only the second carrier to visit Vietnam in more than 40 years. This historic port visit comes 25 years after diplomatic
relations began between the United States and Vietnam.
Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, March 5,
2020. Sailors experienced the culture and met with the people of Vietnam
through tours, professional exchanges, and community relations events.
They volunteered at multiple establishments, including the
Agent Orange Center of Da Nang, a vocational school for people affected by
Agent Orange, and Dorothea’s Project Legacies Center, a children’s orphanage in
Da Nang.
AGENT ORANGE CENTER
Agent Orange is a chemical that was used during the Vietnam
War, and was harmful to anyone
who came into contact with it. The children of Agent Orange
victims often have mental and physical disabilities. The Agent Orange Center
helps these children learn in a fun and welcoming environment.
Phan Phanh Pien, the vice president of the Agent Orange
Center said more than 30 children attend the school, where they learn general
education, as well as vocational skills to help them later in life.
“We teach them special
education living skills, and we give some of them vocational training,” said
Pien. “We want to enlighten the children so they can be better, confident, and
find a job in the future.”
As a gift to the children, who were not at school, Sailors
painted a mural to celebrate the 25 years of diplomatic relations between the
U.S. and Vietnam.
“We painted this beautiful 25th anniversary mural for them,”
said U.S. Navy Retail Services Specialist Seaman Keeshma Singh. “The mural was
to commemorate our peace with them. It was amazing, knowing that they’re going
to come back and see our gift to them.”
Sailors also spent the day beautifying the school, doing
yardwork and general clean-up to surprise the children when they return to
class.
“I was heartbroken
when I heard they wouldn’t be there,” said Singh. “But knowing that I was still
able to make an impact to them had my heart racing.”
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