DOCUMENTARY MADE BY DUY TAN UNIVERSITY EMPHAZISES COURAGE, RECONCILIATION
University Relations photo
Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. introduces "Beyond a War"at the premiere.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. and Duy Tan University leader Dr. Lê Công once fought on opposite sides of the Vietnam War. Today, they have a partnership, working together to brighten the futures of students across the world.
The short film “Beyond a War: A Legacy of Peace and Partnership” tells their story. The documentary premiered Sunday at the Davis Theatre for Performing Arts on the Montgomery campus.
“This film reflects the U. S. and Vietnam reconciliation,” said Troy University Board of Trustees member Ed Crowell. “The Vietnam War impact is felt deeply by many, all affected directly or indirectly, and I think that can be echoed throughout.”
The documentary showcased the reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States, exploring survival, healing and friendship.
After the war, Lê Công Cơ, a member of the Viet Cong, knew his country would only recover through the power of education. After the war, he worked his way from selling loaves of bread to founding a private institution. Duy Tan University would go on to be the first and the largest private, multidisciplinary and diversified institution in Central Vietnam.
“Human history has shown that wars must end,” said Lê Công Cơ in the documentary. “What continues is relationships with human beings.”
“Beyond a War” showed Hawkins revisiting the same streets where, in 1968, he once swept for mines.
Hawkins, a platoon leader in the U.S. Marine Corps, also pursued education after coming back from the war. Under his leadership, Troy University became the first university to award an American baccalaureate degree in Vietnam. Currently, 1,200 Troy University students study in Vietnam.
“We began in 1989 to further internationalize the campus,” Hawkins said. “We began that with understanding the truth that one of the greatest fears we have is the fear of difference, and I think when you understand people, unlike yourself, culturally unlike your own, then you can begin to appreciate the differences.
“That’s when real relationships are formed.”
“Beyond a War” debuted nationally in Vietnam in January, winning second place in the prestigious Silver Coyote Award and first place for Best Journalism Award in Central Vietnam. It will debut on Alabama Public Television on Veterans Day.
“This fact shows that the film has resonated with the Vietnamese public who have fallen in love with the documentary,” said Truong Vu Quynh, who directed the film. “I also believe that this documentary is highly relevant to the world during this time.
“It suggests the necessary efforts we must make to reconcile differences, overcome conflicts and find common ground to come together as partners and friends. The extraordinary examples of Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Lê Công Cơ, can offer us valuable lessons about life perspectives and living for the noble purposes of humanity.”
Before the premiere, graduate student Madison Windham sang the national anthem, Troy University’s ROTC marched a Presentation of Colors, holding both the U.S. and Vietnamese’s flag. An honorary rose was bestowed by Janice Hawkins to Troy University Board of Trustee member Roy Drinkard – at 105, Drinkard is the oldest living U.S. Marine in the United States.
Then, a concert by POPulus, Troy University’s band made-up of music industry students, featured songs from the Vietnam War era, including “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf and “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater.
After the premiere, there was a keynote address by U.S. Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Michael Rose who spoke about the devastation of war and the importance of supporting veterans who come home.
The premiere ended with a presentation of Troy for Troops challenge coins to all present military veterans before POPulus performed the patriotic classic by Lee Greenwood, “Proud to be an American.”
“We need unity, and we need strong leadership, principal leadership in this country more today than we ever did throughout my lifetime,” Hawkins said. “I've never seen us as divided within the nation – that has to come to a stop.
“This is a small example of what can be when you fight with each other, but then you get beyond, and you realize that the future can't be built on the past.”
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