When I met Jim Lewis in the basement of a D.C. area fish restaurant 17 months ago I never would have dreamed we'd be traveling to Vietnam together. But traveling we are -- in just a few weeks -- to dedicate the Jesse Griego Kindergarten in A Xing, Quang Tri Province. Jim has sponsored the project in partnership with PeaceTrees Vietnam.
Jim served in Vietnam in 1968. Like my brother, he was a Marine with Golf 2/5. Their time didn't overlap; Dave was killed before Jim arrived. But they had a mutual friend in Jesse. Jesse's story, and the story of Jim and the new Kindergarten, are told in an excellent Palm Beach Post interview and article: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/accent/epaper/2008/07/25/a1e_jimlewis_web_0725.html.
On March 21 we'll be dedicating the new school and visiting the David Warner Kindergarten -- fittingly, the two are not far apart. I am eager to return, to see my friend Jim's work completed, to honor two fine legacies, and to join the children and families of A Xing in celebration. I hope you'll share the journey with me.
24 February 2009
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