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After returning the poetic diary to Nguyen Van Nghia at his small village in Vietnam, two years later veteran Paul Reed brings his former enemy, now friend, to the U.S. for medical treatment and to take in the sights.
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| "I like everything here. But the thing I like the best is the food," remarked Nghia. | ![]() | |
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In the Fort Worth stockyards, Nghia enjoys a true Texas tradition - riding a steer. |
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Nghia is escorted by Ben Tahmahkera, Commanche and Fort Worth City Councilman Jim Lane as they check out the stockyards in Ft. Worth. | ||
| "We have had very good treatment from the American people and American doctors." Nghia goes to the dentist for the first time. Look Ma, no cavities! But Nghia needs two new teeth. Paul arranged to have the doctors - all of who were Vietnam veterans or Vietnamese immigrants - treat Nghia at no cost. | ![]() |
| Violent explosions during the war had damaged Nghia's retinas, leaving him nearly blind. Paul Reed had gathered resources to bring his friend to Dallas to correct his vision, and when Nghia finally gets his eyes checked, doctors find that the damage to his left eye is irreparable. New glasses improve his right eye enough that, for the first time in 26 years, the former poet can see well enough to read. His son Dien - who later defects - looks on. | ![]() |
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Paul and Nghia visit the White House in Washington D.C. | |
Photo Credits: All U.S. photos by Barbara Laing Vietnam photos (as seen on other pages) by Phil Sturholm |
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