European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 2, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                U.s., Vietnam vets Trade ways of War for smiles of peace by Bruce Stanley the associated press Hanoi Vietnam a Henry a a Hank Thomas was a 24-Yea Rokl . Army medic when a communist ambush in the Central Highlands of former South Vietnam sent a Bullet smashing into his right hand. On tuesday Thomas used that hand whole once More after reconstructive surgery and a generation of Healing to Bury some of his bitterness left from the Vietnam War in Hanoi he clasped hands with an old enemy in the Home of a Viet namese woman who lost her husband in the conflict. A so now we become friends a North vietnamese army Veteran Nguyen Gia due told Thomas now 53. Due said he too had served near the Highlands town of play cd in 1966, the year the american was wounded. Thomas smiled wide clenching dues hand As his wife Yvonne snapped pictures. Thomas of Stone Mountain ga., and 18 other americans Are visiting the vietnamese capital on a citizen Exchange program called Friendship  came hoping to make friends and build Bonds with a nation of people the United states once tried to bomb into submission. But for Thomas the process of reconciling with the past has More to do with his Heartbreak and frustration at the racist treatment he says Black troops like him received from Many of their White Fellows. A i Felt that once i was at War i had proven beyond a Shadow of a doubt 1 am an american. I have done the ultimate. In be left blood on the Battlefield a he said. The Unity that reigned among americans when they were in combat vanished after they returned to their Camps Thomas said. Black and White soldiers generally parted ways and rampant discrimination corroded camaraderie until  the two groups became deadly he said. A that War within the War was the Ore that created the most problems for me Quot he said. Thomas a civil rights activist before he joined the army realized that he was in Vietnam fighting to defend freedoms that he did no to have at Home. Now he is finally coming full Circle some 20 years after the War in exorcising his anger and Hurt he said. His 14-Day-trip As part of the Atlanta based Friendship Force is playing a part in the process he said. Thomas a Veteran of the 1st air Cav div has returned to Vietnam for the first time since the War. He said he came hoping above All else to meet his opposite numbers from a struggle he described As a defining moment in his life. He and his wife now own and manage two Mcdonald a restaurants in Atlanta due who fought in the North vietnamese 3rd div works for the Hanoi ministry of labor War invalids and social affairs. The two met in the sparsely furnished parlor of Nguyen thi Kim Lien a Hanoi resident who lost her husband in the War. Lien received her guests with a Placid smile and tiny cups of Green Tea. Liens hospitality typified the friendliness that Thomas said he has encountered since arriving in Hanoi on monday. Quot the next time your government tells you who to hate ask questions Quot he said. A if you done task those questions who a the next group that we re going to hate and Send the boys off to fight a 3 sure Steps to higher paying Job skills from Laceena amp a in. A Maui amp there Szutu Trout uni pentium Notti ready and san mining my i3m&wpa just you Fame it. A a i it   study course tit fits to my schedule anywhere m the my certification that employers demand to move up in your Jos you need Mac certificate in computer operations. Send for free inform All on today Call today 06302-92120 i am interested in earning a certificate in computer operations a a first name a a a last name a rank housing address. City Home phone. S Tat Evou n t r y  phone a rotation Date discharge Date. Date entered Active duty a married a single age a i would Lwe to use my g1 Dill 4 Kudo Aromo Mac 8303 Arlington blvd Fri suite 210 Fairfax a 22031 acc Uil a the National Hong study Council _ _ _ _ 1 ism is a Recti Guiod of  bo5ir>�ss Mac Piiru. No Kitzinger German american t7at pc pct Vul vhf Ilij i \june2tothe12a come join the rollicking fun at the Kitzinger Volk fest featuring two fest tents lots of exciting rides and your Chance to win two tickets to the states with the Quot Fly to the .a.&Quot sweepstakes sponsored by Delta air lines opening Day 1300 2400 sunday thursday 1200 2400 Friday saturday 1200 0100 a Deua air lines Yiu i in of thi wat it hikes Usu it Jovo or a skim. Marlboro the Dol docs nut officially nil uric inc Spon Sor s in Una product or services