My name is Mike Kirchner. I am a long time friend of COPI, and finally traveled back to Vietnam on the March of 2010 mission. It was there where the photo was taken. I met the two women in the picture with me 40 years prior, when I was "in-country" in 1968-1970, serving in the American Air Force. It was of course war time, and those two women were then young girls, and novices at an orphanage near Bien Hoa. Back then, my unit was visiting the orphanage and providing some food, money and support whenever possible. It was an amazing reunion in 2010, and it was organized by co binh, with only a 40 year old photo to work with! I shall never forget what she did for me. It is an incredible story and I would love to share more photos and stories during down time on our mission.
Otherwise, I am just an old guy who spent 25 years of his life in law enforcement and retired in 1999 as the Chief of Police in a small town in Western Massachusetts. I then went directly in the security business, specializing in protection of Cultural Property. I am now employed as the Director of Security at the Harvard University Art Museum. I hope to "really" retire within the next couple of years and relocate to a home that we just purchased in North Carolina. I have been very active in Kiwanis International for the past 22 years, and in fact that is where I first met binh Rybacki and heard her speak. I am also an active advisor for the New England Key Club, and they are avid supporters of COPI and binh Rybacki. I am looking forward to my return trip to Vietnam to reunite with some old friends and make some new ones on both sides of the "pond".
See you all on March 14th!
Mike
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