Tuong Van Elementary School Dedication - Jan. 14, 2010
VVMF dedicated a newly renovated and expanded primary school in Trieu An Commune in the Quang Tri Province as part of a week-long delegation by American veterans to Vietnam.
VVMF became involved when it was approached by officials at the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, VVMF’s in-country sponsor, about providing assistance for the Tuong Van Elementary School in Trieu An Commune. The existing school was not large enough to accommodate all of the students at one time, so a split school day had to be instituted. Also, the road leading to the school often flooded during rainy season, making it dangerous and nearly impossible for the students to attend. In addition, the building itself was aging and in need of repair.
VVMF sought support from six American veterans who served in the Vietnam War, many of whom had taken part in past VVMF delegations and had seen first hand the need of Vietnam’s people. The six donors who funded the project include:
• Marshall Carter, chairman, New York Stock Exchange, New York, N.Y.;
• William Soza, board of directors, John Marshall Bank, McLean, Va.;
• William Murdy, chairman and CEO, Comfort Systems USA, Houston, Texas;
• Terrence O'Donnell, partner, Williams & Connolly, Washington, D.C.;
• John Weber, partner, Baker Hostetler, Washington, D.C.; and
• Jimmy Mosconis, owner, Bay City Lodge, Apalachicola, Fla.
