The US peace activists pose for a group photo with the Vietnamese delegates

A ceremony was held in Hanoi onJuly 11 to present the medal to Frank Joyce and his wife Mary Anne Barnet fromDetroit, Michigan; Judy Gumbo Albert from Berkeley, California; Alex Hing fromNew York; Karin Aguilar-San Juan, a lecturer of Macalester College, Minnesota;and Douglas Hostetter from Virginia.

Addressing the ceremony, AmbassadorNguyen Tam Chien, Vice Chairman of VUFO and President of the Vietnam-US Society,said the activists had devoted their youth to protesting the war in Vietnam inthe 1960s and 1970s. They participated in and mobilized many others to joindemonstrations and activities to show solidarity with Vietnam and demand thewithdrawal of US troops from Vietnam. After the end of the war, they continueto work for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador stressed thatVietnamese people always remember with gratitude US friends who stood side byside with Vietnam to struggle for the end of the war and for the return ofpeace in Vietnam.  

Speaking on behalf of theactivists, Frank Joyce said they will continue to work for the development ofbilateral relations between the US and Vietnam.-VNA