Speech of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin At the Memorial Ceremony of Ms. Merle Ratner, a social activist

Hanoi, February 16, 2024

Dear Comrade Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations,

Dear Mr. Ngo Thanh Nhan,

Dear all friends who love Ms. Merle,

 The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin highly appreciates that the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations held this Memorial Service for Ms. Merle Ratner, a beloved comrade, a close friend with Vietnamese people. She participated alot of organizations. She has been active and responsible in her positions as mentioned in previous speeches.

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin has two noble missions: fighting for justice and mobilizing resources to help and care for victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Vietnam, Ms. Merle Ratner was an American who loves Vietnam, has accompanied VAVA to carry out both of these 2 missions effectively and with gratitude, contributing to appeased the pain of more than 3 million victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam for 20 years. Her passing is a huge loss not only for her family, relatives but also for VAVA.

Dear comrades and friends,

            Ms. Merle Ratner left us and the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin with many unfinished plans, but we promise to work with you all to continue her struggles, our meaningful and noble work.

           Finally, on behalf of VAVA National, victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, we would like to share all the sorrow and loss with Mr. Ngo Thanh Nhan and family, American friends, Vietnamese friends and friends all over the world.

          We pray that she’ll enjoy a peaceful eternity!