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Operation "Rice
Lift"
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1968|
1994 Forward|
Operation Rice Lift|
How You Can Help
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1968 |
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The men of B Company, 504th MP Battalion,
stationed in Pleiku, South Vietnam, befriend a large number of
Montagnard children, from the Bahnar tribe. Since their
village is near the MP's area of operation, a close, personal
relationship eventually develops between them, including extensive
pacification efforts (food and clothing). Montagnards are the
indigenous tribespeople of the Central Highlands, and loyal allies.
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1994
Forward
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Former B Company MP, Mike Little, returns to
Pleiku in 1994, one of the first Americans allowed into the area
since the war's end in 1975. Although it had been 26 years
since they'd seen or heard from each other, the American and
Montagnard children are reunited, as if "time had stood still."
Now, grown adults with families of their own, they are eager to
renew the friendship that was forged during wartime so many years
before.
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In 1996, 1998 and 2000, Mike Little and his wife, Marion, return to
Vietnam to visit this extended family, now numbering over 100
individuals. No longer living near the road, their villages
have been pushed back into the forest, where rice is often grown on
steep hillsides. The poor growing conditions result in low
yields. Even in good years, running out of food becomes a real
threat.
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Too often, farmers are faced with either too much or not enough
rain. Both conditions have hit the Highlands in recent years.
The draught of 1998 was severe, and the Little's became concerned
that they, alone, could not supplement the rice needed to avoid
starvation among the Montagnard families.
Thus, in 1998, OPERATION RICE
LIFT was born.
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Operation Rice Lift
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Initially, the Project was created to prevent
starvation from the draught of 1998. $5,000 was raised, mostly
from friends, relatives and other veterans. It was
successfully forwarded to the families in Vietnam for the purchase
of rice. Their sincere letters of appreciation told the story
of just how close many had come to the brink of starving.
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Every dime of OPERATION RICE LIFT has been safely received by the
Montagnard families in Vietnam! The secure and timely delivery
of funds has been critical to the project.
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In 1999, 2000, 2001, and again in 2002, funds were distributed when
the rice ran out. Mother Nature has made life difficult, but
progress is being made. While many villagers are now growing
alternative crops that can be sold at market, the Project has also
purchased 2 tractors that make tilling the land more efficient.
The tractors, obtained in early 2001, require annual repairs and
upkeep, which is also provided.
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How
You Can Help
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$50 usd can feed a whole family for one month.
The weather, indeed, is the key factor and it seems that each year
brings new challenges. That's why OPERATION RICE LIFT will
continue, and be ready to help.
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100% of all donations to OPERATION RICE LIFT goes directly to the
families. There are no Project overhead fees or administrative
bills. Checks made out to the Pleiku MP Association are fully
tax deductable.
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OPERATION RICE LIFT is a labor of love and loyalty, and is truly an
invitation to "expand your family," and become part of something
wonderful. You can absolutely make a difference in the lives
of these Montagnards, who are building new lives and looking ahead
to the future.
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E-mail:
Mike or Marion Little
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