Jim Taylor
D.O.V.E. Fund member since 2000

I served with The First Cavalry Division in Vietnam as a Long Range Recon Scout from July 1966 until I was wounded on May 31st. 1967. After recovery in an Army hospital in Japan, I returned stateside with many memories of my time in Vietnam. On Veterans Day of 2000, I was one of eight veterans that first met and formed what was to become the D.O.V.E. Fund. From that first meeting the D.O.V.E. Fund has achieved many wonderful things in Vietnam. To me, one of the greatest feelings provided by the D.O.V.E. Fund is returning to Vietnam to visit one of our schools and seeing the happy faces of the children. Back during the war I always felt sorry for the kids in Vietnam, in some cases their parents were killed or their homes were destroyed and I don't think they had any idea why. While the kids we help today through the D.O.V.E. Fund are certainly not the same kids, they are reminders of the struggle over 40 years ago. I feel there is great satisfaction with giving something back to these kids and the people of Vietnam, some things that maybe we took away so long ago.

I say to any veteran out there who still thinks about Vietnam, you can help yourself and make a difference in Vietnam today by getting involved. All of the veterans who have returned to Vietnam through the D.O.V.E. Fund now have a renewed sense of peace and understanding.

Being involved with the D.O.V.E. Fund has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I think it would be for any Vietnam Veteran. Welcome Home to all of you.