Mike Hixenbaugh/The Virginian-Pilot
Nguyen Hoang Minh, a former combat interpreter volunteered to fight alongside some of the first Navy SEALs in Vietnam, guiding them on hundreds of secretive nighttime missions deep in enemy territory. However, when the war ended and the Americans left, Nguyen was left behind and paid the price for his association with the SEALs. He was sentenced to two years in a communist prison camp and spent the next couple of decades doing manual labor.
Navy SEALs from the Vietnam War are helping their former guide with a
scholarship for his granddaughter. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
When his old SEAL teammates finally found him a few years ago in a tiny thatched hut, they promised to do something. The SEAL brotherhood chipped in to upgrade Minh’s home which had a leaky roof and housed his wife and grandchildren. Later, they sent him money to cover medical bills, help feed his family and paid to bring him to Virginia Beach two years ago, fulfilling his dream to see America before he dies.
And now, this week, perhaps the most important contribution of all: The Navy SEAL Foundation has agreed to pay to send Nhu, his eldest granddaughter, to National University in Vietnam. The $2,500 tuition will be covered for four years, bringing the total donation to $10,000. In Vietnam, this amount of money is a boon.
Nguyen’s granddaughter wants to be a pharmacist and with this tuition, she will be able to start classes next spring.
To read more, click here: http://hamptonroads.com/2015/10/navy-seals-give-back-their-guide-vietnam
