Eugene "Top" Harrison, shown with children in Vietnam, will leave Wednesday for Vietnam to deliver supplies and help orphaned children.COURTESY PHOTO
"We're all packed and ready to board the plane," said Eugene "Top" Harrison, who leaves this week for a trip to Vietnam.
This will be his 10th year making the journey. This time, though, will be different.
In addition to bringing supplies for needy children, he has $17,000 in cash donations that he can use to build a permanent structure.
"I did think about building a classroom or orphanage, but never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be able to do so," Harrison said.
Harrison served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969.
His first visit back to a country that haunted him was in 2001, and he was stunned by the emotional and physical effects that the war still waged on the Vietnamese people.
Since then, he made the grueling 31-hour trip every year at his own expense. For many years, he went alone, taking the allowed two 70-pound suitcases with minimal personal clothes and his toothbrush.
The rest of the contents were, and remain, simple offerings of stuffed animals and toys, shower shoes and medicines.
"It is difficult to see the Agent Orange damage that continues today, but it also feels good to know we make a small difference," said the modest Nokomis man who was raised in a New York orphanage from the age of 3. "I love to see the children grow from year to year."
Children remember the soft-spoken American.
Each visit, they proudly show him toys they received in previous years, some as many as nine years ago.
The Sarasota Alpha Company Vietnam Brotherhood learned of Harrison's solitary efforts and has sponsored Harrison with money for supplies the last few years.
Another local ex-Marine, Joe Camara, joined Harrison on his last two trips and go again this year.
"I anticipate this trip all year," Harrison said. "We were originally leaving March 1, but had to re-schedule for April 28 because I had a bout with pneumonia. Not only am I anxious to take my annual trip to see the children and staff, but this year, because of the generosity of the community, we have more to give than we ever imagined."
Harrison is returning to Vietnam on his 10th charity mission about 30 years after his active Marine duty ended. The thousands of dollars he is taking this trip will be distributed to the orphanages and schools he supports.
Part of that, he said, came from raised awareness in the community after the Herald-Tribune published a story in May upon his return from the last trip.
"The outpouring of donations after H-T article ran the story was amazing," Harrison said. "But beyond how wonderful that is for the Vietnamese people we serve, the connections we made with ex-servicemen is thrilling."
Especially remarkable, he said, are the notes and remembrances that accompany the donations.
"We received everything from one dollar to an anonymous contribution of thousands," he said. "One woman sends $25 every month for the fund because her husband was a Marine."
Harrison will meet with village officials and monks and decide what to do with the $17,000. They intend to build one separate, permanent entity, either a nursery or classroom.
The rest of the money will go to families and orphanages as determined by teachers and nurses.
"We never provide direct cash," Harrison said. "The orphanage teachers and nurses tell us what items are needed, like rice or noodles, and we purchase them.:
The 28-day trip will take the former Marines from Nokomis to Saigon, Danang, Wey and Phuby.
At 77, this may likely be Harrison's last trip to Vietnam.
"There is much excitement about our arrival this year," Harrison said. "I am thrilled beyond words to have this huge endowment for people who have desperate needs and appreciate all we do."