Background information and commentary by Andrew Carroll: In 2003, while working on BEHIND THE LINES, a dear friend of mine at the VFW introduced me to a Vietnam veteran named Francis J. “Chuck” Theusch, a successful businessman and former Republican candidate for U.S. Congress. In 1999, Chuck returned to Vietnam and fell in love with the country. When Chuck noticed the scarce educational facilities for Vietnamese children, especially in rural areas, he launched an ambitious effort to fund the construction of libraries throughout the country. On October 13, 2001, they celebrated the opening of the first library. Not everyone, however, welcomed Chuck with open arms. During a visit to the district of Son My, one woman he was introduced to would barely speak with him. She made it clear she was suspicious of his motives because he was an American. Her name is Tran Thi Anh Thu, and her concern was understandable; Son My was where the My Lai massacre occurred in March 1968, and Thu worked at the My Lai Memorial. Chuck convinced Thu to at least begin a dialogue with him, and gradually, through their correspondences, she began to trust him. He returned to Son My several times and a genuine friendship blossomed. After writing to Chuck to say hello, she mentioned in passing that she was physically unwell. Chuck thought it might have something to do with the nature of her job. “Dear Mrs. Thu, I am so happy to hear from you, but so sad that you feel bad,” he e-mailed her on November 2002. (This e-mail and the ones that follow were all published for the first time in BEHIND THE LINES.)

I believe you have hard job to tell sad story every day over and over. You are a very special woman to do very special job. When you first give me tour I could see in your eyes a sensitive sadness that I shall never forget. But you have helped me understand the deep pain we left behind. It is part of why I come back to Vietnam and feel desire to work in Viet Nam the rest of my life.

A month later, Thu, who was feeling better, sent Chuck the following e-mail, recalling a story from the war that involved her aunt. (The e-mail has been edited slightly for clarity.)

Mr Chuck, You are okey when you returned to America? Why did not you go back to Wisconsin but to Chicago? You know I did not think I met a good American. Many years ago, I hear my grandmother told me that when U.S. troops based in Quang ngai,my aunt who was sick. While she went to market, she met some G.Is on the way they took her on helicopter. she thought they will do some bad things and kill her, she did not think they flew her to hospital at CHU LAI and operated on her, then they took care her until she very well and flew her back. Although I know there are many G.Is killed my people in Duc Pho and Son My but there are some try to help my people. So when I met you at the first time I could not smile. That is a question in your mind, isnt it? Talking with you some times, I recognized that We cannot live in past and I do not wake up that painful. We must look toward the future and try to do good things. Vietnam and America shake hand in hand to become good friends. No enemies and Vietnam will live in peace forever

In the following letter, Chuck expressed how important their friendship had become for him, as well, and how symbolic it was of the larger dynamic between their two nations. He hoped that both relationships would flourish. (The phrase “hanh phuc,” which Theusch uses near the end of his letter, is essentially an offering of best wishes for a happy and prosperous life.)

Dear Miss Thu,

I am happy to hear from you. There is sadness in you. Please tell me of the difficulty in your life. I am not sure how I could help, but I would try to do the best for your and your family.

Your are a special person to me. Somehow after all the pain of your life and history of Son My you have found kindness for me, an American, in your heart. You have inspired me and moved me in many ways someday I will explain to you.

Each trip to Viet Nam I feel the depths of sadness over the darkness of the past, but then in the children I find the joy and hope for the future. Maybe it is why I need Vietnamese children in my life so much---they beam with bright light of better tomorrows for all of us….

I may try to get to Da Nang this week yet before I go home---I miss my daughter, Diem My very much. Having no wife or children in the USA I guess she has special meaning to me. Imagine, Viet Nam has given me a daughter! Now if I find a good mother for her my life circle will be complete, and my future be clear.

One thing has been clear to me since my return to Viet Nam in 1999---Viet Nam is and always will be my life.

I will call you soon. Sometimes in life it is good to talk to a friend. You have one forever in me. Thu, you are a better person than I am, I try to make myself a better man. But I stand in your shadow, and that of the people and country I have come to respect and love so much.

The weather in Ha Noi is cool but I like it. I wish I could spend 3-4 days in Quang Ngai. I told Quyhn and Houng at the Central I would like to go Karaoke sometime in Quang Ngai.

Please write soon. I wish you hanh phuc with all me heart and soul. I pray for you and your family.

Most Sincerely,

Chuck

The Library Project of Vietnam continues to grow significantly, and Chuck's goal is to build 600 libraries by 2015, one for every district in Vietnam. For more information about Chuck's efforts, please visit: www.libraryofvietnam.com.

NEXT WEEK: A letter to be featured in an upcoming exhibit aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City.