Garry Kopius, head of the delegation, who joined transport services in the Central Highlands, especially in An Khe and Pleiku during the war, said that this was the second time he has returned to Gia Lai after the first in March 2005. He said he was surprised at drastic changes in the Central Highlands and Gia Lai province in particular. Major infrastructure facilities such as village roads and bridges, schools and houses have been built. The living conditions of local people have improved greatly.

“Wherever we go, local people are friendly to us,” he said. “Vietnamese people and Central Highlanders in particular have understood and forgave us for causing sufferings to their relatives and families during the war.”

George Leviky, another member of the delegation, who served in battalion No2, infantry regiment No35, division No4 in the Central Highlands, said this was the first time he has returned to Vietnam after the war.

He said that in the US he thought Vietnam and the Central Highlands in particular are very poor due to the heavy consequences of the war. But after visiting the former battlefield, he saw with his own eyes drastic changes in local people’s lives. He said he hopes Vietnamese people tolerate what US troops caused in the past.

He said upon his return to the US, he will tell Americans about positive changes in Vietnam and he hoped that more Americans will visit the country and the Central Highlands to see these changes. 

On February 25, the delegation visited Meo village in Dak Pling commune of Kong ChRo District, Gia Lai province.