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Overflow crowd attends symposium on The Montagnards as warriors in Vietnam
Molly Hamilton Aug 20, 2015More than 400 people came to a symposium at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum called: “The Montagnards – The Green Berets’ Secret Vietnam Warriors.” The Smokey Stover Theater was filled to capacity and more than 100 additional guests watched the event live from a screen set up in Hangar Bay III.
The Panel included two former Green Berets – George Clark, a veteran of the 5th Special Forces Group Airborne in Vietnam from 1967-1970; and Mike Mika – veteran of the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam (1968-1970) and two representatives of the Montagnards – K’Sao Krajan (Bronze star recipient and veteran of 5th special forces group in Vietnam – 1967-1970) and Ha Srin (an 18-year veteran of the Montagnard Army and Special Forces Group in Vietnam).
The two groups discussed the history of their relationship and how more than 61,000 Montagnards fought alongside the U.S. Special Forces in the Vietnam War. The Montagnards, mountain people from the Central Highlands of Vietnam, were fiercely loyal to the Americans and were incredibly strong fighters. For that reason, many of the Green Berets have felt a special allegiance to the Montagnards and have worked tirelessly to rescue them from persecution in Vietnam.
As panelist George Clark summarized: “I don’t know any special forces man who served in Vietnam who does not owe his life to the Montagnards. I know I do.”
During the program, a niece of Ha Srin shared a story of the persecution and extermination of the Montagnard people in Vietnam because of their Christian beliefs. In 1975, there were at least 8 million Montagnards in Vietnam. Today, their population is closer to 500,000. Because of their strong loyalty and allegiance to the Green Berets and special forces of the United States, veterans of these groups work very hard to raise awareness of their plight and seek relief through the government and other sources.
The Montagnards who came to the symposium, like many others who fled Vietnam and sought refugee status in the U.S. currently live in North Carolina. To learn more about the mission to save the Montagard people, visit their website at montagnards.org.
For more photos of the event, check out the gallery below:
- A group of the Montagnards that traveled from their homes in North Carolina gathered before the symposium.
- Guests stand for the National Anthem.
- Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette started the symposium.
- Medal of Honor Recipient General James Livingston shared his experiences with The Montagnards in Vietnam.
- Vietnam veterans stood to be recognized at the beginning of the symposium.
- With the Smokey Stover Theater at capacity, more than 100 guests watched from the Hangar Bay III.
- The overflow crowd watched the symposium from Hangar Bay III.
- The niece of panelist Ha Srin gave an impassioned speech about the plight of the Montagnard people.
- Ha Srin’s niece pleaded with the audience to do what is possible to help save the Montagnards.
- Panelist Mike Mika told about his experiences fighting alongside the Montagnards.
- The panelists shared a wealth of personal experiences about their time in the Vietnam War.
- Panelists of The Montagnard Symposium
- Mike Mika (left) and George Clark served on the panel representing the U.S. Special Forces.
- K’Sao Krajan (left) and Ha Srin sat next to a Montagnard interpreter and served on the symposium panel.
- Panelists talked about ways to save the Montagnards from religious persecution in Vietnam.
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My name is Hugh Giblin. I have had extensive contact with a number of Montagnards for the past 8 years in
Durham, N.C. I value these relationships very much. I have heard stories of how their relatives have been
treated in the Central Highlands and how even those with American citizenship have been harassed by the police when they return to visit relatives. I have educated myself somewhat on the history of the Montagnards.
I think it a gross injustice for the U.S. government to be building a relationship with Vietnam, paying lip service to
human rights while the Vietnamese show little concern to change their repressive policies. Obama’s recent
visit wherein three dissidents were prevented from meeting him starkly shows their contempt for his words
on human rights improvement. The U.S. has been asking for change for 25 years and it hasn’t happened.
One significant step toward gaining some movement toward change might be a resolution that Sen Burr of
N.C. introduced in 2014. I wrote him at that time and he, to my surprise, responded with that resolution.
I have contacted him again and his office called my yesterday expressing their desire to move that resolution
forward. Sen. Tillis of N.C. and another Republican Senator are supporting him in his efforts.
However, they would like to see a bi-partisan effort with some Democratic Senators involved. One suggested
approach would be to contact Montagnards in other states and encourage them to contact their representatives
to support the resolution with the hope of getting Democratic senators involved.
I do not have those contacts but your organization might have. I think this is a rare opportunity. Are you interested
and able to do something on the issue.
Hugh Giblin
919 973 5256
[email protected]