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The SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION was established
in June 2001
To honor the memory of Sharon Ann Lane
To fund raise for the purpose of building
SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC
To assist in the collection and transport of Medical equipment and supplies
for the SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC
To continue the spirit of her Nursing practice in this
SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC
as a living legacy and testament
to Sharon's service to America and Vietnam during the Vietnam War
To educate our fellow American countrymen and the Vietnamese about
this remarkable young American Humanitarian
To offer a Haven of solace and healing to those Vietnam Veterans who travel
to Vietnam who desire to visit the SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC
or the SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION web site
To explore academic Medical exchange among professional students and their
faculty, clinicians and practitioners from the United States and Vietnam
To promote a collegial exchange of Medical knowledge, practice and technology
To network with Vietnamese Physicians, Medical students other Health Care
specialists, especially those who served during the Vietnam War and to
share in common bonds of Medical practice
To explore, develop and assist with future projects for the delivery of
health care to the people of Chu Lai and surrounding regions
The inspiration for the SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC is partly
a consequent of reading Sharon's BIOGRAPHY entitled HOSTILE FIRE:
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FIRST LIEUTENANT LANE IN VIETNAM, written by Phillip
Bigler, later conversations with him about Sharon and his book and returning
to Vietnam to participate in Medical missions. As a member of Operation
Smile Team 1993, I read the Bigler biography, while in transit from the
United States to Da Nang, Vietnam with Operation Smile, a volunteer surgical
mission, repairing Cleft Lip and Palate deformities throughout the developing
world. This trip was to be the first of many to Vietnam for my husband
and myself, since our Military service there during the Vietnam war.
Throughout the 1990's in supporting the efforts of various Vietnam Veterans
engaged in the work of reconstruction in Vietnam, it became apparent that
Sharon Ann Lane, former Vietnam Veteran Army Nurse, who sacrificed her
life in the care of her Vietnamese patients, might be honored in a location
outside of the United States. Sharon's name is enshrined on our striking
and poignant VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, (panel 23 W, line 112),
referred to as THE WALL in Washington, D.C. Perhaps Sharon might
be memorialized in a unique manner in Vietnam itself? Could a SHARON
ANN LANE MEMORIAL CLINIC be constructed at the site of her service
and sacrifice, which provides a location for Medical personnel to continue
the care of children, whom Sharon so dearly loved and nurtured during
the Vietnam War?
In June 1999, I approached Mrs. Kay Lane, Gold Star Mother for permission
to honor her daughter with the dream of a Medical Memorial Clinic in Vietnam.
Mrs. Lane gave her consent for a Clinic to be built there. Mr. Philip
Bigler, HOSTILE FIRE, offered his assistance, lent encouragement and collaborated
with the Project. In November 2000, a group of Vietnam Veteran Nurses
and friends met in Canton, Ohio with Mrs. Lane to discuss the planning
phases. Strategizing began immediately to develop a Proposal to present
to the Vietnamese in Chu Lai, Vietnam. A Clinic location was decided upon
by the District Chief to the Clinic location, was selected and blueprints
were sent to us for approval. Construction began in late December 2000,
with an estimated date of March 2001 for the Clinic completion. A site
visit was envisioned for inspection in the Spring 2001 with a possible
dedication date of late March 2001. Following the site evaluation by a
committed group of Vietnam Veterans to the Clinic construction site in
March 2001, it was unanimously agreed that establishment of a SHARON
ANN LANE FOUNDATION would be essential, and was accomplished on June
1, 2001 as a necessary instrument for the building of the Clinic in Tam
Hiep commune.
The assistance of Mr. Mike Boehm, Director of Madison Friends,
My Lai Peace Project, was invaluable in interceding with the newly
appointed Nui Thanh (Chu Lai) District Chief. Mike's colleague, Mr. Phan
Van Do, whose guidance and negotiations assisted the Foundation to effectively
navigate the sometimes difficult political waters. Mr. Do conducted a
series of visits to the SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC and successfully
established the position of THE SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION with
the leadership of the District. He recently sent photos in December 2001
indicating the nearly completed Clinic exterior and interior rooms. Additionally,
there are photos of the administrative personnel of the Nui Thanh District,
in which Tam Hiep commune is located near the former large American Military
base at Chu Lai. Patients are currently being examined and treated in
THE SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC on a limited basis by local
Physicians.
A trip to Vietnam is being planned for Spring 2002, to visit the Clinic
built in memory of Sharon Ann Lane, known affectionately to family and
friends as "Missy". THE SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION will
shortly complete, dedicate and present to Mr. Pham Van Quyen, Vice-Chair
of the Nui Thanh District and the Tam Hiep commune residents, the much
anticipated SHARON ANN LANE FOUNDATION CLINIC, in memory of Sharon
and in memory of all her patients treated during the Vietnam War, especially
the children.
We honor Sharon and are grateful for her service.
Welcome home, Sister!
May we invite you, our Brothers and Sisters, to join with us for this
solemn occasion to honor the memory of Sharon Ann Lane and her patients?
Kathleen Fennell, PA-c, R.N.
12th Evac Hospital, Cu Chi RVN 1968-1969
The Sharon Ann Lane Foundation
President
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