May 29, 2013 Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation 2013 Scholarship 2423 Chambersburg Ave Duluth, MN 55811 Dear Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, I am writing to thank you for the scholarship of $1,000 towards my first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am so appreciative of this award and grateful for the generosity this foundation shows in supporting students looking to further their education. I am very proud to be one of the recipients of a scholarship from such a wonderful and loving community of people such as this. I am planning to go into my freshman year as a civil engineer major. Although this may change slightly, I will most likely remain in the field of engineering. As a current senior in high school, thinking about the financial part of this next step in my education is overwhelming, but your contribution helps immensely, so thank you again. By awarding me the 2013 Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation Scholarship, I have not only had a bit of a difficult financial burden lifted, but I have also gained a new interest and respect for the veterans of the Vietnam war. The application and essay process gave me the opportunity to learn more deeply about my family history as well as this very important historic era. Once again, thank you for this opportunity and your generous scholarship award. I hope to apply again next year, as well! Sincerely, Sylvie Weintraub

Sylvie Weintraub

May 08, 2013

Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Foundation Scholarship Essay

    When Mr. Ralph Talerico arrived in Vietnam, he was shocked in all his senses. The smells, sounds, feelings, even the tastes were different than anything he had ever experienced. Above all, the most shocking change Mr. Talerico found upon arriving was the fierce heat. As he recalls, the temperature was well over one hundred degrees, hitting him like a grenade the second he stepped off the plane into camp. Not only was it difficult initially for him to adjust to this climate change, he also had to endure enemy fire all around him, as the base he entered was under attack. Shots were being fired on every side of him while he remained new and unarmed, such a rude welcoming to a new soldier, and the worst experience of his year at war in only the first few minutes.

    Not only did the soldiers in Vietnam experience some unimaginable events, they also had to come home to treatment no one should have to face. An anti-war American society looked heavily down upon the soldiers, treating them with disrespect despite their great service to our country. As I interviewed Mr. Talerico, he began to compare and contrast what being a soldier meant then and what it means today. The main difference he sees, feels, and lives today is respect. Americans now understand how truly important these soldiers fighting for our freedom and liberty are. They sacrifice everything to keep our lives safe and secure and deserve all the respect in the world for this service. My great uncles David and Thomas Johnson died before they were able to experience this newfound respect in its entirety. Both were young soldiers in 1966, neither died at war, but both were gone too early to see what Mr. Talerico describes as Americans now trying to “make up” for how disrespectful they once were to Vietnam veterans. My great uncle Tom died at age 33 of an aneurism caused by kidney disease, leaving a wife and three young children behind. Our family strongly suspects that his illness was a result of exposure to Agent Orange, another topic discussed by Mr. Talerico in the interview.

One reason I am grateful I was given the opportunity to talk to Mr. Talerico is that I was able to thank him for his service to our country, words I will never get to speak to my great uncles

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Dear Members of the Northland Vietnam Veterans Association,

It is an honor to receive the Northland Vietnam Veterans Scholarship this year. Thank for your generosity. This scholarship will help me afford paying for my education at UMD

I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to listen as Vietnam Veterans have shared their war experiences with me. Throughout the scholarship process over the past three years, I have gained a deeper appreciation for our nation's military men and women and the sacrifices they made. I have further insight into this important part of the United States' historyIt was very special to attend and read my essay at this year's Memorial Day commemoration that honored Vietnam War Veterans. The ceremony at the waterfront memorial was very meaningful to me.

Thank you all for your service to our nation.

Sincerely,
Joy Rasmussen

Joy Rasmussen

NVVA 2013 Scholarship Essay

;Upon arriving in country, what was your most vivid experience during the first few days?"

Stepping off the plane and onto South Vietnamese soil at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, Vietnam, PFC Sam

Burch distinctly remembers his first few breaths inhaling the indescribable stench that reeked from garbage

and permeated the surrounding atmosphere. During his first few hours in country, his mind began to unfold

the reality that 10,000 miles distanced him from all he had ever known. He had entered into a country where

fellow U.S. military men and women were serving and laying down their lives to bring freedom to the South

Vietnamese. When confronted with this, war became a reality to him.

Sam Burch voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 at age 18, considering it a true honor to

serve his nation. He admitted to being naïve when arriving in Vietnam, as he had lived a very sheltered life

being raised in a small community in Minnesota. His motives for serving in the military derived from a

genuine patriotic devotion for his country. Yet, he had only a limited textbook knowledge of what

communism, war, and poverty meant. He emphasized how the immense poverty of the Vietnamese people

impacted him, as he had never before been exposed to such tragedy. When reflecting on the wreckage and

brokenness of the people in this culture he states, “I had been thrust into a fairytale and it was Hell!”

Regarding his first few days in country, Sam most vividly recollects two memories that changed forever the

way he viewed life: immense poverty and “pain-filled” smiles.

What he witnessed unveiled his eyes to the depth of poverty afflicting those under the communist

oppression from the Viet Cong of North Vietnam. His heart moved with compassion for the South

Vietnamese people. He described the land as vastly overcrowded and heaping with waste. Sam vividly

remembers watching two locals standing in close proximity to one another, simultaneously using the same

river as a toilet and washbasin to brush teeth. He saw many take shelter in rickety homes that were

constructed from discarded beer cans and children sleeping in deserted culverts. On the streets, he found

those who were famished begging for food and salvaging what they could for nourishment. Those who were

able, provided a meager livelihood with the pennies they received for their labor.

In spite of their devastating circumstances, Sam noticed an enduring expression on many faces of the

Vietnamese and described them as “pain-filled smiles”. He was confounded with the anomaly, as their

mouths did not match the sadness that was manifested through their eyes, which revealed an infinite amount

of sadness, fear, pain, and apprehension. Witnessing their suffering accompanied with the portrayed attitude

of acceptance was deeply humbling for him.

Sam admitted that he would never be able to paint a replica of all that he saw, heard, and smelled

during his first few days of exposure to the atrocities in Vietnam. It moved his heart with conviction to never

view life the same way again. His life had been changed, as he had developed a deep appreciation for the

freedom we have in the United States. And yet he returned to an ungrateful nation. It was disappointing for

him to encounter the “entitlement mentality” that was becoming pervasive in American culture. He said, “I

was aware of how much we had… and all the complaining and few smiles over here in the United States in

contrast to Vietnam.”

Following his service in the military, he spent over twenty years as a social worker in a Northern

Minnesota county, reaching out to help children who were abused, neglected, or struggling in their schools.

Sam brought into his everyday work the perspective that had immensely impacted his life while in Vietnam.

He consistently demonstrated genuine care and compassion for American youth, while remaining firm to not

tolerate complaining or negative attitudes.

The beauty of our nation is demonstrated with its heritage of having a strong military that not only

protects the homeland, but also defends and strengthens other countries with people who have no hope.

While in South Vietnam, Sam had become acquainted with three Vietnamese men named Mr. Hai, Mr. Lan,

and Mr. Tung, who were civilian workers at a U.S. military base near Saigon. They said to him upon his

departure from Vietnam, “Someday we will come to America. We will fight and die for you too, if you ask

us.” Genuine gratitude and respect was expressed as these three men pledged their very lives. It is time for

this generation of Americans to have a deeper understanding and become truly grateful for the gift of

freedom that we have been given.

Thank you for your service to the United States of America and for protecting our freedom.

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Dear Northland Veteran’s Association,

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. and Mrs. Bennett along with everyone else that has helped make my scholarship award possible.  I plan to use the money to help with my education at UW-River Falls.  While there I am pursuing a double major in Elementary Education and English as well as a minor in Spanish and Coaching.  I will also be a member of the Women’s Hockey Team and participating in their ROTC Program.  

However, before I can focus on school I will be leaving in just a few short days to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri where I will be completing my Basic Training for the Minnesota National Guard.  I am  excited, proud and nervous!

I also wanted to let you know how much my mom and I enjoyed our evening at the Legion Club on Veteran’s Day.  Wow, what amazing stories, generosity, and people.  It truly opened our eyes to the sacrifices and services of so many before me.  

Thank you again so very much.  You have certainly made a brighter corner in the world!

Sincerely,

Amy Auran

International Falls, MN

Current Economic Status on Vietnam

In a country once immersed by war, the economy has posted annual per capita growth of 5.3 percent since 1986.  Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s greatest success stories.  It’s economy has grown faster than any other Asian economy apart from China.  Vietnam transitioned from that of an agriculture base to more manufacturing and services powered by a youthful population.  

Today’s Vietnam’s largest trading partners include the United States, China, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Malaysia, the UK and Hong Kong.  Trade with Asian economies constitutes about 80% of Vietnam’s total trade. Considering the rapid economic growth in China, economic relations with its northern neighbor are of utmost importance a Vietnam’s economic success.  

    In January 2007, Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) following a long and tedious negotiation process which lasted over ten years.  New opportunities and challenges created by international economic integration have had significant impacts on the economy.  

After ten years of stalemate following the country’s reunification in 1975, the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1986 approved economic reforms known as Doi Moi or “renewals.”  These introduced new rules to the market and opened up the country to foreign investment, dramatically improving the financial climate of Vietnam.  Nevertheless the Vietnamese government retained control of the most important sector, the banking system.  

Concerning the economic growth in the country, agriculture has continued to lose its importance, and registered a 25% decline in 2000 to a 20% in 2010, while industry and manufacturing increased from 36% to 46% in the same period.  Extreme poverty has also been drastically reduced, as shown through the percentage of the population living under the poverty line which went from 37% in 1998 to 10.6% in 2010.  The Vietnamese government is working hard to create jobs in order to respond to the challenge posed by a work force that is growing by over one million people every year.  

In conclusion Vietnam must still confront many economic challenges, including that of striking a balance between fiscal policies and its overall monetary policy, so to prevent a credit crunch that would have a crippling effect on the economy.  However, when all is said and done, the Vietnamese economy is still held in high esteem within the international business community, mainly because of its high growth rate and overall macroeconomic stability, two fundamental conditions required for sustainable economic development.