Sister of Slain American Soldier Learns Forgiveness, Peace in Vietnam
	50 Years After the War, Remains of American Soldiers Come Home

On March 16, under the statue at the Son My Memorial Site (Tinh Khe Commune, Quang Ngai City), former American soldier Mike Boehm once again played his violin, as he has done for more than two decades. The somber notes resonated in the silent space as if paying homage to the 504 innocent civilians who perished in the horrific massacre 57 years ago.

Mike Boehm plays his violin under the Son My Memorial statue. (Photo: Znews)

Every year, Boehm travels halfway across the globe to return to this site. “I play the violin to commemorate the victims of the Son My Massacre. At the same time, I hope this music contributes to Son My's development as a destination for peace-loving people,” said he.

Mike Boehm served in the infantry division stationed in Cu Chi (Saigon) in 1968. Upon arriving in Vietnam, he immediately witnessed the brutality of war, as the liberation forces launched attacks on Saigon during Tet. Learning about the Son My Massacre left him haunted for decades.

In 1998, on the 30th anniversary of the massacre, Boehm returned to the site alongside two other former American soldiers who had rescued women and children from their comrades’ gunfire. At the memorial, he played a piece about the sorrow of a woman waiting for her husband during the American Civil War over 200 years ago, using an old violin. Since then, his violin has become a part of the annual massacre commemoration.

Boehm has dedicated much of his life to charitable activities. In 1993, he established the Madison Quakers organization, which has supported impoverished women in Quang Ngai by providing them with breeding cows, building compassionate houses, and awarding scholarships to children.

“I am very happy to see the people here living better lives,” he said.

504 roses from veteran Billy Kelly. (Photo: Kinh Te & Do Thi)

Unable to return due to old age, former American veteran Billy Kelly, stationed in Duc Pho, Quang Ngai in 1968-1969, sent 504 roses to commemorate the 504 Son My victims. Accompanying the flowers was a card bearing the words: “Never forget.” Kelly has never ceased to feel remorse for what happened on this land. For many years, he returned to Son My to attend the commemoration ceremonies for the 504 innocent civilians.

On the same day, Ronald L. Haeberle, an American war correspondent who took photographs of the Son My Massacre, also attended the memorial ceremony. His photographs, which once shocked the world, became undeniable evidence of war crimes, contributing to the anti-war movement in the US.

Ronald L. Haeberle (in blue), the author of the photos of the Son My Massacre, offers incense at the memorial ceremony. (Photo: Kinh Te & Do Thi)

More than half a century has passed, but the pain and loss remain indelible in the minds of the people of Son My, millions of Vietnamese, and peace-loving individuals around the world. However, the people of Son My have chosen to close the chapter on the past to look toward a brighter future. They have transformed their pain into motivation to rebuild their homeland and country, fostering friendship and striving for peace and progress for humanity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, described the Son My massacre as a harrowing symbol of the brutality inflicted upon the people of Quang Ngai and Vietnam during their struggle for national independence and reunification. The memory of Son My continues to evoke profound sorrow and remains an unhealed wound for the people of Quang Ngai, the Vietnamese people, and peace-loving individuals around the world, he said.

"We must leave the past behind and move toward the future, building friendships with countries that share the aspiration for peace and progress. This is the way of life and a principle deeply ingrained in the Vietnamese people, including the survivors of Son My, who still bear the physical and emotional scars of war," he emphasized.

US veteran sends 504 roses to commemorate 504 civilians from Son My, Quang Ngai Due to health problems and the COVID-19 pandemic, the 77-year-old US veteran Billy Kelly sent 504 roses to commemorate 504 Son My people (Quang Ngai) ...

US veteran sends roses to commemorate victims of Son My massacre A US war veteran who used to fight in Vietnam, has sent 504 roses to the incense offering ceremony commemorating 504 victims of the Son ...