Dedication at Dak Lak

After an early breakfast, we boarded the vans for the long trek to Dak Lak and the new Hoang Van Thu Junior High School.  The drive is long and bumpy but the scenery is beautiful.  Nearing the village, we are met by motorcycle policemen who accompany us into town and into the Peoples Committee HQ.  We meet with at least 10 Provincial officials while our VP of Vietnam Projects Do Nguyen, introduces everyone.  This is our first school in the Province and we are strangers to the officials here.  Do does a great job and we are approved to proceed to the school for the dedication. As we arrive, the junior high school children are ready for us with applause and welcoming drums. The principal speaks and welcomes the D.O.V.E. Fund to Dak Lak.He introduces Do who gets on stage and makes introductions and sings for everyone. The children follow with 5 songs of their own. Do introduces John Craven and his family who go onstage to receive flowers from the students.  John speaks and thanks the officials and principals for their kindness. John and Gail Craven have worked for years raising money for this project and to see the beautiful children and teachers enjoying their new school is overwhelming.  He asks the students to work hard, commit to excellence and help build Vietnam. The plaque is unveiled noting the names of the men John served with at Dak Lak many years ago.

The men who died here in 1969 have never been forgotten by John and the school is named to honor the memory of Wayne Elkins, William McLaughlin and George Davenport. Then, the Craven and Elkins family are directed to either side of the driveway to plant symbolic trees memorializing the event.  Back onstage, financial aid is given to the teachers along with scholarships for the children. After our goodbyes, we head back to the Peoples Committee HQ where we are treated to a special lunch with cold beer, chicken, vegetable soup, beef, potatoes, rice and French bread.  John Craven shows a map of Dak Lak from years ago to the officials and asks for help in finding his old base. We pose for photos, thank our hosts and head back to the vans for the long trip back to Nha Trang.  Arriving back at the Sunrise Hotel in the late afternoon, we have dinner on our own and reflect on a very interesting day.