Reconciliation by bmac62
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Description
...this is a story of two men...mortal enemies in 1972, best friends since meeting 36 years later in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in 2008.
...the two men are Dan Cherry (blue shirt, US Air Force Brigadier General (retired) and Nguyen Hong My (black flight suit, senior pilot, Vietnamese People's Air Force, retired).
...today I got to hear both of these men tell the story of their first meeting...when Dan Cherry shot down Hong My in an intense dog fight over Hanoi.
...Hong My is visiting the United States and travelling with Dan to tell their story. Their story is far more than a story of aerial combat (F-4 Phantom versus MiG-21), it is a feel-good story of friendship and reconciliation.
...My reaction as a two time US Army Vietnam veteran? Reconciliation works. Today I got to shake the hand of my former adversary. I feel a bit lighter and somehow relieved.
...Hong My (speaking through his interpreter) made a good point. He never felt that Dan Cherry was his enemy...we couldn't be enemies he said...we'd never met. War is fought by soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines...who've never met...friends simply waiting for an opportunity to get to know each other. Wow!
**** Here's a History Channel video (YouTube) REALLY WORTH 2-3 minutes of your time. It tells their story graphically and in short order (pardon the 30 second ad at the front). Click Here.
Bill
"Lost"
Comments (28)
jayfar
Fantastic story Bill and this is a wonderful candid of them.
bazza
Fabulous Bill so true too..
auntietk
I've really enjoyed this story. Thanks for the link (and for loaning me your new book)! Good stuff.
T.Rex
Aw, Bill. Thank you so very much! This made me cry. It's all too true - enemies are friends who haven't met. What more can I say?
lyron
Great image!!!
durleybeachbum
How marvellous!
Faemike55
Cool image and great story
danob
Fabulous Story Bill! As a medic I always had to treat both with equal respect, that is another story..
flavia49
splendid capture! marvelous text!
helanker
WOW! That was indeed touching, Bill! If just All would think like that........
MrsRatbag
Yes, if instead of fighting everyone could just meet the people they're intended to fight it might just take care of warfare. Wonderful story!
beachzz
Seems like such a simple way to end wars--beautiful story!!
makron
Fantastic story. Wery well done
RodS Online Now!
A very touching story ans photo, Bill. Once again, it becomes apparent just how unnatural war really is. It is and always has been orchestrated by a very few individuals consumed by power and greed. It is always refreshing and redeeming to see a story like this unfold. Perhaps there's hope for our species, yet....
debbielove
Excellent Bill.. Needs no more to be said.. The same happens the world over, with old 'enemies' now friends.. Well shown my friend. Rob
aksirp
... all a question of balance- so wonderful done Bill, your experience is visible! your picture could be history!
Osper
Nice doing Bill!!!
sandra46
INTERESTING IMAGE, GREAT SHOT!
danapommet
What an amazing photo and story Bill. Great link and to think that John Styles may actually live a better life, without nightmares and night sweats, because of this single meeting. Brought tears to my eyes Bill. This is one posting that I will never forget. Dana
hipps13
I like it too warm hugs, Linda
junge1
Great story Bill. You posted something similar about a Japanese a couple years back about the memorial in Hawaii I think. This just shows, that often we judge individuals by their governments. My friend Jim had wanted to go to Vietnam this year but his psychiatrist nixed it. Jim had wanted to put his demons to rest (He served 31 years in the Marine Corps and 21 of those years in Force Recon-not battallion recon, but the up close and personal, classified type). I had wanted to go with him and see some of the sites he is willing to talk about, or can talk about, but his doc does not think it is a good idea at this time for him to go. But my friend Fatti, who had been married to a former Marine helicopter mechanic would like to go with me. At this point we are just talking about it. Fatti and her husband met in Iran when Mark worked there during the Shahs regime. In any case, this story is heart-warming and brings home the fact that too often we judge people from other countries by their governments.
cfulton
This is very touching, Bill. My heart goes out to all who have had this type of life-changing experience. Thank you. Clive
mariogiannecchini
Storia bella e commovente ! La guerra è un mostro orribile , subito da tutti !Molto bello questo giro dei due ex nemici a spiegare la realtà !!! Beautiful and moving story! War is an ugly monster, suffered by all! Very nice this round of the two former enemies to explain the reality!
jendellas
Thankyou Bill for drawing this to our attention, great story!!
neiwil
That's so neat, "enemies..friends simply waiting for an opportunity to get to know each other" what a philosophy !.So sad that many cannot forgive or forget but this shows the true value of reconciliation...an excellent and most powerful post, thanks Bill.
Blush
Great image Been so sick in the hospital with a temp of 104.8 Just got home today so weak Hugs Susan~
MagikUnicorn
Good idea...nice capture
Maxidyne
Thanks for directing me here Bill, this is a fascinating and heart warming story. The Y-Tube video tops it off nicely. Cheers mate :)