We were welcomed by Vietnamese men who once fought against Americans. We shared meals with families whose sons and daughters perished during the rage of war. And we visited classrooms overflowing with young children who wanted to learn more about democracy, American culture, fashion and lifestyles. Finishing at the steps of Reunification Hall before an audience of thousands, our team did something that 30 years ago would have been impossible. In a world divided by cultural inequality, racial prejudice, religious persecution, ethnic strife and political injustice, it is amazing to see how something as simple as a bicycle ride can bring us together.
Sports are a universal language spoken and understood by all people.
And more sporting events like the Vietnam Challenge may be what our world needs to build one global community. These events have the power to heal and to promote understanding. For many of the veterans on the Vietnam Challenge, the ride provided an opportunity to see Vietnam as a country and not a war. It gave them a chance to see that, just as their lives had changed since the war, so too had Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. The Vietnam Challenge did not end when our team left Ho Chi Minh City.