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Hello! My name is Dennis Coyne and I have the honor of serving as Secretary to the Friends of the Kontum Vinh Son Orphanage.
The following is my story that led me to serve the children at the Kontum Orphanage. From May 8, 1968 to May 8, 1969 I served with the 4th Infantry Division in many places in the Central Highlands - Kontum, Dak To, Polei Kleng, etc. Kontum was my first assignment. When time allowed, I used to visit this quaint city and the Old Wooden Church there. I was amazed that in the midst of the war and aftermath of the Tet 1968 offensive that it was still standing and untouched.
Later that year, a Montagnard soldier from the Dak To area foretold my future: you will come back again some day. Emphatically, I told him that would never happen after my experiences that year. Just as emphatically and with his magical smile, he said I would. It took 34 years, but he was correct.
Life is a pilgrimage - an ever exploring journey that takes us in many directions - marriage, work, raising a family, etc. Fast forward to around 2000 - my friend Paul Davis, a former Marine Corps Vietnam Vet, and I begin exploring the possibility of a Vietnam return trip. But we had no sources to turn to make the trip. My wife, Pat, saw a letter to the editor in a magazine about another vet who returned to Kontum with his wife and his son. This was the beginning of the return trip and many new relationships that would be made over the next 5 years. I contacted the writer, Mike Little, and began the journey that would take me back to Kontum and the orphanage in 2003. Mike told me about the needs of the children there. As part of our trip, we raised money for the orphanage from friends, family, and my church - The Nativity of Our Lord in Cincinnati.
The 22 day trip began in Hanoi and ended in Ho Chi Minh City; it was meaningful and healing for both of us. The visit to the Kontum Orphanage and meeting the children was a special day that would take me on a new journey to collaborate with many good people to create this non profit group to help the children. If you would like to view my return trip, go to this URL: http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/d_coyne/
Upon returning to the U.S., I met Dave Chaix and Sister Marie Dominique (by email) from California through the travel agent who arranged our Vietnam trip. Dave and Sister Marie had been working together with others for a number of years to provide support for the children. Sister Marie Dominique worked at the orphanage for many years before she left Vietnam December 16, 1985 for the U.S. In our first conversations about our experiences in1968-69, we surmised that we probably passed each other on Highway 14 as she was helping the poor in the Kontum area affected by the war while I was doing the soldier thing.
Sister's continuous contacts in Vietnam were pivotal in motivating us to help the children. She has dedicated her life to serving the children. We discovered in our efforts that there are others who were also assisting the orphanage. We collaborated and decided that the time was right to formalize this process and create a charity that would dedicate itself to the children. What is really amazing about this effort is that many of us have never met face to face, but have developed a relationship based on our desire to serve the children through email and telephone calls. I consider each of these board members friends who share a common bond - serving the children.
So, as of July 2005, we work together to serve the poorest of the poor in Vietnam. The consequences of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam continues to affect new generations of Montagnards and other Vietnamese children. Unexploded shells from the war and chemical effects of Agent Orange endanger children as they strive to grow, learn, and find their way in the world. They need our help.
As you review our site and learn about us, I hope you will be moved to help the children with a donation. The price of one Domino's large pizza (about $12) will feed, educate, and shelter one orphan for one month. Thanks for your consideration.
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