Sunday, June 29, 2008

Last Day in Nha Trang


Dear Family & Friends,

It’s our last day here in Nha Trang and we are wrapping things up. After a really nice closing ceremony this morning we weighed anchor and now it is on to Singapore for a little break. We saw a lot of people here in Vietnam. More importantly, we were able to make a great many friends with the local medical professionals and the government officials we worked with. I believe we have taken another step (a big step) in normalizing the relations between our two countries. Of course, this is what Mercy does so well – we open doors, we make friends, and we build partnerships.

A few of the numbers:

Total Patients Seen: 11,576
Surgeries Performed Aboard: 234
Engineering projects were held at 5 different locations (3 local clinics; 1 rehab/education center; and 1 orphanage).
Our Bio-Med technicians were able to repair and bring back into operation over $300,000 worth of medical equipment at various clinics.

None of this could happen without the hard work of those who sail aboard Mercy. This crew – from so many different specialties; different originations; as well as different countries – are really something special. All of our differences aside, what everyone has in common is how they view the people we come to treat. If you are a patient coming to Mercy (or one of Mercy’s medical outreach sights) you will immediately realize how the people of Mercy will see your life as something that has value. And isn’t this all anyone really wants from a friend or a partner?

I think I can speak for everyone aboard that we are all very much looking forward to Singapore. It’ll be nice to have a break and recharge batteries. A lot more left to do!

More to come…

Bob

4 comments:

marletteus said...

It is time for a much deserved break in Singapore. You looked pretty red in the pick of you and the girls.Thanks againe for the blog.
Navy Mom

Navy Mom said...

Hello Captain Wiley,
wow, what you all have done is amazing. Wherever you leave, you leave a positive thumbprint behind, and smiling people for various reasons. It must be a good feeling, to go to bed, dogtired, but knowing that a lot of good has been done and improvement in so many lifes has been accomplished.
You all are in my heart, but especially my daughter Daniela.
Enjoy your time in Singapore, get for a little while a civilian life again, some privacy and all the other things, we normally take for granted.
My blessings are with you,
thanks for all you do, you show the world that the American Navy is there to help.

Take good care of the crew and yourself,
juhuu Singapore, here we come, ready for some R+R, you all deserved it.
Renate Di-Do :)

BarrioRunner said...

As always Captain, you and your crew are doing a great job in taking care of people in need. There is no better job in helping others.

Enjoy a little R&R in Singapore.

LIC USN Ret.

Unknown said...

Dear Captain Wiley,

I'm grateful for the works that you and Mercy's people have done for the people of Vietnam, especially the residents of Nhatrang city.

I'd also take this opportunity to ask for your permission to post some of information from your blog on this site:
www.nguyenthaihocfoundation.org, it's a Vietnamese charity organization.

I wish you and the men and women of Mercy well and best of luck.

Ly Kinh Duong
nthfoundation@yahoo.com