Vietnam Vet Brings Compassion to Former Battlegrounds

Neil Hannan is a Vietnam veteran who experienced some of the toughest conditions and fiercest fighting during the Vietnam War. In 1968, 18-year-old Versailles, Ohio, boy Neil enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Shortly after his tour began, Hannan rescued a 12-year-old Vietnamese girl from certain death. He was reunited with the girl in 2010 during a tour of his old battlegrounds and decided to help rebuild her home and provide medical care to alleviate her suffering. Gradually, Neil expanded his humanitarian program to help disabled people and poor children. In 2024, his program delivered hundreds of eyeglasses to Vietnamese children, adults, and chickens to poor families.
To learn more contact Neil: [e-mail] or visit his blog:
hannan2024vietnam.blogspot.com
Here is a link to the full documentary about Neil’s Vietnam story:
• A Vietnam Story: From ...
#vietnam, #veteran, #humanitarian, #nhi ha, #vietnamwar, #veteransday2024

[@sulj3373]

He looks like Beau Bridges. Vietnam Vets always in my heart. Great work and great story. Great he has peace now and brings peace and healing.😊❤

[@MetalTeamster]

What a amazing and kind man. I am going to donate. Amazing how we as humans have trillions for war and pennies for healing. Much respect

[@neilhannan2484]

Thank you so much. I intend to go back over again this year. You're right about the expenditures in armaments vs healing.

[@danidaskam1027]

Thank you for sharing Neil's story. What a wonderful person.

[@neilhannan2484]

Helping those deserving folks is so rewarding.

[@neilhannan2484]

Thank you and thanks to Ray for making it happen,

[@akwild1]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

that is one awesome story. it's nice to see something constructive and not destructive. I used to have a friend that did 4 tours on the DMZ and got ruined doing all that China white heroin that the CIA was passing out to the troops. he went in as a chemist working for a pharmaceutical company and came back as a junkie, a very sad thing. Dwayne

[@neilhannan2484]

I lived in the field and never saw any drugs during my time in Vietnam. But, I know that it was a problem in the base camps.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

@neilhannan2484 well I was just going by what he told me. I wasn't there so I have no idea. but it was obvious that spending so much time in the field really messed him up. I got to see his dress uniform just once . he was well decorated I don't remember for sure but I believe he was 82nd airborne. he passed away 48 years ago. his name was Tangi Tennant . I don't know if that was his real first name but it's the only one I ever knew

[@neilhannan2484]

@@dwaynestewart6095 I don't see how anyone could obtain and even want to do drugs in the field. We lived in the field constantly for month after month. It was survival, pure and simple, and we were fortunate to find stagnant water to drink. He had to have been in a base camp. I think that a couple of my guys got in drugs after returning to the U.S. , but eventually straightened up.

[@neilhannan2484]

@@dwaynestewart6095 Ray's cabin is just 15-20 minutes from mine.

[@akwild1]

Thanks Dwayne. Neil has definitely chosen the constructive road. I hope his story can inspire other vets who have experienced a lot of trauma find a better path.

[@meljane8339]

That work is very brave. It is reassuring to see and know of the reunifications. Me, personally, I would like to know of the mountains, the ecology, and observe differences between wildlands and rural, peoples and places and other living things oriented to those places. Does Vietnam still speak French primarily as a second language, or is it more English, or ? ...like you said, "never at ease" is a hard topic to address. It's awesome that the individuals are helped to be able to see and to be able to eat, essentials for individual personal daily survival. Thank u for the service (and liaison efforts).

[@neilhannan2484]

The mountains, now that I'm not humping them with 100# of gear, are pristine and beautiful. I have twice visited Bach Ma National Park, which is between DaNang and Hue. It's wild and not commercialized. Beyond the cities, the population is mostly scattered in small hamlets with a very basic, hard-working lifestyle. I never hear French spoken, but many folks speak English, from minimally to proficient. To a person, they're so appreciative of the help that we provide and they work so hard. Even Ms. Hanh, born with no arms, works with her feet. And I never, ever sensed a shred of bitterness or animosity regarding my role as an infantryman in '68. Vietnam is now a place where I find peace.

[@meljane8339]

@neilhannan2484 That is all awesome news to hear of and am Really glad that experience is possible today. 'Wishing you a Happy Father's Day, regardless of your parental-status.

[@neilhannan2484]

@@meljane8339 Thank you! I have a daughter in Fairbanks, AK and son in Arkansas.