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Pastmast

Incoming Vietnam Exchange - Mary 1999

Mary Lou Reeves & Dick Allen - Exchange Directors

ou might call this the changeable exchange. We started out with 16 ambassadors from Vietnam who would be arriving from Wichita on Thursday, May 13th. No sooner had the date and number been confirmed and we were assigning people to host families than we received a notice of several illnesses and therefore cancellation of some of the expected ambassadors. Replacements were found by the Vietnamese and again we assigned host families, not knowing whether everyone spoke English. Finally, 16 Ambassadors were set to arrive and all of our plans for a fun visit were settled. Just after their arrival in Wichita, Kansas we heard from the Wichita exchange director, Marie Gillespie. We learned that there had been demonstrations by some of the local Vietnamese Community and some American veterans. Everyone was upset about this occurrence. Our next change came as we were informed that the Ambassadors would be arriving a day later and leaving a day earlier than planned. This, of course, changed everything and caused several last minute schedule problems.

Probably the best part of the whole visit was when they arrived. We found that they were delightful individuals and everyone enjoyed all of the activities, especially the impromptu ones! On Friday we were to meet our guests by bus on the tarmac at the airport to avoid demonstrators, however, our ambassadors were delayed in Kansas City and arrived later than expected. It was then that we discovered that a host family, not a member of The Friendship Force, had accidentally been assigned a man who spoke no English. Actually, if you asked Sarah Adams, she might tell you that she had the nicest guest and the best time of all. They apparently used sign language, pointing, etc. and had a great time! Her guest Pham Ngoc Dong, was probably the most out going and resourceful person here and had a great sense of humor. We thought of changing her ambassador, but neither of them wanted to and they definitely made the right decision! Friday evening we had a reception in the party room at Chuck Godwin's apartment building. I had a great time and I think everyone else did too. The Vietnamese guests gave large art prints of Vietnam to the club, exchange directors, and to Jan Lingren expressing their sympathy at the loss of her husband. Herb Lingren had been the original exchange director for this visit and his untimely death resulted in a change in the leadership of the committee. Cecilia Hunt made wonderful apple pies for everyone's enjoyment. Yeah Cecilia! Saturday, each family entertained their guests until it was time to go to Lake Waconda where we were hosted by Kay and Lee Rockwell at their lakeside home. We had lots of good food and boat rides but didn't get to swim as it was too cold.

Sunday, was again a day of change. We entertained our guest during the day and were to meet at the Asian Community Center for a Vietnamese meal that evening. If you read the Monday paper you will know that there was a demonstration by local Vietnamese and war veterans, from both here and Wichita, protesting against the visitors. The paper said the demonstrators feared the visitors were here to spread communism. We were able to rearrange our location and had a lovely Vietnamese dinner. This was followed by Bob Wittstruck doing his Frank Sinatra imitation and then Nguyen Hong Quang sang some Vietnamese songs for us, the last an unexpected delight. The Surkans invited everyone to their house and we sang English and Vietnamese songs, gossiped and had a grand time. On Monday, fearing more demonstrations, as our schedule seemed to be known, we switched activities with the very kind help of NETV's Ron Hull, who gave us a wonderful presentation. A gorgeous and tasty lunch was planned by Jeanne Zwiebel but, again, the location was changed. Tuesday morning's planned activities were canceled due to an illness so we entertained our guest with shopping, which they were eager to do! In the afternoon we toured the Capitol and met with the Governor. The visitors were impressed and pleased that he took time from his busy schedule to meet and have his picture taken with them. As we left, two guests were confronted by the demonstrators and it was upsetting to all of us.

Wednesday, there was a tour of the Journal Star Newspaper conducted by the publisher, Bill Johnston, and then the guests were taken to the airport where they departed after sharing lunch with hosts and others. This again was a change of plans but worked out well with no demonstrators present. I would like you to know that the committee consisted of Dick Allen, Co-Exchange Director, Chuck Godwin, Jan Lingren, Marilyn Paolini, Georgia Stevens and Jeanne Zwiebel. We also appreciated our president, Mary Bryant's support and involvement throughout the exchange, especially when the demonstrations and newspaper articles occurred. Our wonderful day and overnight hosts were Sarah Adams, Richard Allen and Mary Rabenberg, Barbara Boettcher, Robert and Cecilia Cather, Vicki Kyles, Fred and Barbara Nelson, Bob and I, Georgia Stevens, Pat King, Al and Marna Surkan and Jeanne Zwiebel. Without their flexibility and help this exchange would not have happened and would not have turned out so well in spite of the constant changes everyone had to make. Thank you one and all.