In the early days of
February, peace-loving people around the world and the Vietnamese people were
surprised and saddened to hear the news that Ms. Merle Ratner - a special
friend and comrade of Vietnam passed away in a traffic accident. She has made
many great contributions to Vietnam - US relations and tirelessly worked for
Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. She devoted her whole life to fight for
peace, justice, freedom, and development in the world; happiness for the
people; for rights and a better life for the poor.
The
Memorial Service for American Peace Activist Merle Evelyn Ratner organized by Vietnam
Union of Friendship Organizations in Hanoi on
February 16, 2024
The memorial service for
Mrs. Merle Ratner was held on February 16, 2024, in Hanoi, in person and online
to nearly 40 bridge points in the US and on the morning of February 29 (Vietnam
time) in New York (USA), online with more than 100 bridge points in many places
around the world.
Merle Evelyn Ratner was
born to a Jewish-American family in New York City in 1956, affectionately
called "Sister Mơ" by Vietnamese people. In the late 1960s, the
movement protesting the US war in Vietnam reached its peak. At the age of 13,
she actively took part in the anti-war movement and showed her support for the
National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. At that time, the public in
the US and the world were impressed by a small girl climbing the Statue of Liberty
and waving the red flag with a yellow star and slogans calling for an end to
the wrongful war.
Ms.
Merle Evelyn Ratner and her husband
According to Ms. Merle,
the days of participating in the anti-war movement left unforgettable memories.
In an interview, she said: "The first time I went to Washington, DC to participate
in a protest, I joined a group of dentists. That protest attracted up to 1
million of participants and took place right in front of the United States Capitol
Building. Another protest right in front of the United Nations headquarters in
New York was also a memorable memory. At that time, I together with
many African Americans protested against America's genocide against the
Vietnamese people. I was arrested, and at the police station I refused to say
my real age of only 13 years because I didn't want to be released but wanted to
stay with my friends.
On April 30, 1975, Vietnam
became a unified country. It was not only a great day for the Vietnamese people
but also a happy day for progressive, peace-loving Americans. We had a map and
every time we received news that a location was liberated, we marked it. We
felt bursts of happiness when we saw the red flag with yellow star waving high
on the roof of the Independence Palace. We felt very happy and excited because
we realized that this victory is for the Vietnamese people but at the same time
is also the victory for anti-imperialists around the world."
After the war, Ms. Merle
Ratner continued to make great efforts to promote the process of normalizing
Vietnam-US relations as well as support many of Vietnam's international
activities.
In her role as co-founder
of the "Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign -
VAORRC", she has accompanied and helped the Vietnamese people heal the
wounds of war, striving to mobilize organizations and individuals to support
and seek justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, pressing the US
Government and chemical companies responsible for cleaning up the environment
in hot spots; compensate, provide health services, education, and create jobs
for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Over the years,
her organization has collected tens of millions of online signatures to help
Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange sue. She is also the person who directly
organizes trips for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange and dioxin to the US.
Expressed appreciation
for Ms. Merle Ratner’s precious legacy and contributions to Vietnam, the Party,
State and Vietnamese organizations and unions have awarded her many noble
awards, including: Friendship Medal; Medal for peace and friendship between
nations; Medal for the Development of Vietnamese Women; Agent Orange Service
Medal ...
Ms.
Merle Ratner (right) in a peace support activity
“Merle Ratner lived a beautiful and
meaningful life. The feelings and legacy she left behind regarding the
relationship and solidarity of the Vietnamese and American people will be a fire
that continues to burn brightly in the belief in friendship, mutual
understanding and respect, for peace, cooperation, and development between
the two countries and the people of Vietnam and the United States in the
present and the future”. – said Mr.
Phan Anh Son, President of Vietnam
Union of Friendship Organizations
“My impression of Merle is that she is
determined, energetic, and always ready to help those around her. She makes
me understand more about her beloved Vietnam, about its history, culture and
the efforts of the Vietnamese government in rebuilding the country." – said
Mr. Bill Fletcher, a friend of Ms. Merle Ratner
“The passing of Merle Ratner is a huge loss for
the peace movement in the US and Vietnam. She will forever be missed by those
who love peace and fight for justice, freedom, and equality.” – said Mr.
Tran Dac Loi, Vice President of the Vietnam Peace Committee, Vice
President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation.
“Merle
Ratner has accompanied the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent
Orange/dioxin, fighting for justice and mobilizing resources to support
Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange. For 20 years, she has contributed to
alleviating the pain of more than three million victims of Agent Orange in
Vietnam. Expressing condolences at the passing of Merle Ratner, the Vietnam
Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin will continue to carry out her
unfinished plans in accompanying and supporting victims of Agent Orange.” -
said Mr. Nguyen Huu Chinh, President of Vietnam Association for Victims
of Agent Orange/dioxin.
“I will
bring Merle's ashes to Vietnam. I will continue the strong will of Merle,
which is to develop the Vietnam-US people relations." – said Mr.
Ngo Thanh Nhan - Vietnamese American, Merle Ratner’s husband.
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