I just made another donation to the Montagnard Dega Association, a worthy organization comprised of our gallant Montagnard allies, many of whom later became refugees for aiding us, and were resettled in the US. I ask all of you who can afford it to consider doing the same, no matter how large or small the donation.
A few excerpts from an article on the MDA will summarize its important work:
Since its founding in 1987, MDA has been the leading nonprofit program to help Montagnards to resettle in North Carolina. It provides case management, English language classes, translation help, and other services to help integrate refugees into American life. More than 3,500 Montagnards live in Greensboro, the largest concentration in the state, and about 10,000 live in the Piedmont, the largest Montagnard population outside of Vietnam. MDA maintains offices in both Greensboro and Charlotte, but the organization has had to do more with fewer resources, especially after their govt. funding was cut.
“Montagnards are hard working people, but by tradition they are farmers unused to the pace of Western life,” he said. “When they come to MDA, they must get accustomed to their new lives. They must get jobs, they must learn English. They worry about family members who have been left behind. Often they have had little or no schooling because of discrimination in Vietnam. The stresses can be terrific. Many are Christians. Some, like me, fought with the US Special Forces during the Vietnam War. There's so much to be done, even after 22 years. If our van breaks down for a day, our clients who depend on us for transportation miss English class. We work hard to teach self-reliance to our clients. We owe much thanks to sponsors, to great organizations like Catholic Social Services, African Services Coalition, Jewish Family Services, World Relief and Lutheran Family Services, to the area's churches and leadership, our STMP friends, and to the many past contributors and leaders of MDA.” - Mr. Y Siu Hlong, MDA's Executive Director
As his generation ages, Mr. Hlong hopes that younger Montagnard Americans will take an interest in preserving traditions, language, and other cultural activities and participate in the development of new leadership. He believes that the presence of such a unique culture in Greensboro and Piedmont has contributed to the rich diversity of the region, but unfortunately it’s been overlooked. He hopes MDA will bring attention to the contributions Montagnards have made within the short time they have been in the US.
I am sure you feel as I do that the courage and resolve of the Degar people who stood together beside us when we faced several divisions of the best troops in the PAVN at Khe Sanh, and their many kindnesses to their American counterparts will never be forgotten as long as one of us draws breath.
Checks may be made payable to:
Best to all of you and SF,
Jim
PS: I’d be obliged if those of you on social media post this information to your account.
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