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The Times Advocate, 2006-08-16, Page 3232 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Zurich touched byVietnam napalm survivor Vietnamese napalm survivor Kim Phuc, left who was captured in a photograph seen around the world, later winning a Pulitzer Prize, meets with Katie Nixon, right a huge fan inspired by Phuc's story. Phuc spoke to an arena full of people last Saturday in Zurich, sharing her life story with a touched audi- ence. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — "Napalm is very powerful but faith is even more powerful." Kim Phuc, a Vietnam napalm survivor born and raised in Trang Bang was captured in a photograph over 30 years ago — June 8,1972, nine -years -old, running naked down a road with napalm burning her skin. Phuc spoke to a full crowd last Saturday at the Zurich Arena. "How many of you have seen my picture before?" Phuc asked. The photograph, shown around the world impacted many people, later receiving a Pulitzer Prize for Associated Press photog- rapher Nick Ut. He also rushed her to a South Vietnamese hospital, Barsky hospital after taking the shot where she was not expected to survive — Phuc had third degree burns on 65 per cent of her body. She was in the hospital for "14 months and 17 operations." Phuc who was left with scars on her body and remem- bers thinking, "why me?" after leaving the hospital. "I suffered loss from pain, I just cried," says Phuc. "I looked at another girl, my dream was to look like the other girls for just one day," Phuc adds. She took the audience through her life story, from that little girl in Vietnam running from napalm to the woman she has become today, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) goodwill ambassador for the Culture of Peace — touching peo- ple's hearts and inspiring others throughout the world with her strength. "You can see my hands and face are beautiful, right? "And that's a blessing for not just me but you too, "I wanted t Canada. Fo time I saw a country;" VIETNAM right?" asked Phuc. In 1982, a German photographer found Phuc. The Vietnamese Government exposed her to countless interviews and she was ordered to Ho Chi Minh City by communist officials where she was used in propaganda films, supervised daily and was also unable to attend school. Phuc being unhappy with her life, again felt like a vic- tim. An opportunity arose in 1986 to study in Cuba but suf- fering physical problems like diabetes, blurring her vision forced her again to quit her schooling. She did however meet her future husband, a fellow Vietnamese student Bui Huy Toan, mar- rying him in 1992. On their way home from their Moscow honeymoon, they were given a small opportunity to stay in Canada during a plane refueling in Gander, NFLD. "I wanted to stay in Canada," says Phuc. "For the first time I saw a free country," Phuc adds. Phuc found God and says she does not blame anyone for what she endured during the Vietnam War. Phuc and her husband are living in the Toronto area with their two sons 12 -year-old Thomas and nine-year- old Stephen. UNESCO named Phuc a goodwill ambassador for peace in 1997. She also has started her own foundation as a way to give back to those people that have helped her over the years called the Kim Foundation. Phuc, while travelling the world and sharing her story, enjoys meeting fans she has inspired like Exeter resident Katie Nixon, who says it was an honour to meet Phuc. Nixon was a Vietnamese war orphan abandoned and left to die on the streets of Saigon. She was brought to two orphanages, first hi Cantho and later in Saigon. Later Nixon, through Operation Babylift, was air lifted out of Vietnam in April 1975 before the fall of Saigon April 30, 1975 and adopted by a London, ON family. "Kim has always been my inspiration as she repre- sents peace, harmony, love and forgiveness," says Nixon. "It was amazing to hear her speak about these things, especially forgiveness. I can relate to her message as I struggled to forgive those who abandoned me and to understand the violence and purpose of war," Nixon adds. "With forgiveness comes peace, a gift that can free your heart of all hatred and animosity towards those who have hurt you — the most powerful weapon of all." o stay in r the first free KIM PHUC NAPALM SURVIVOR DeLuca seeks SH council seat By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — Add Wayne DeLuca's name to the list of candidates seeking a spot on South Huron council. The Exeter resident has filed his nomina- tion papers for a councillor's position repre- senting the Exeter ward. There are two Exeter ward spots on South Huron council, with Pete Armstrong the other candidate so far. DeLuca said he was approached to run in the last municipal election, but as a relative newcomer to the area, he wanted to get to Wayne know the community better before running DeLuca for council. Now living in Exeter for four years after moving from Sault Ste. Marie, DeLuca feels ready. While this is his first time running for South Huron council, DeLuca has over 20 years of municipal expe- rience — he spent 16 years as a school trustee and six years on council in Sault Ste. Marie and one year as a councillor in Jocelyn Township, a rural community east of the Sault. A retired administrator with Algoma Steel, DeLuca says politics are in his blood and he likes being involved in his community and working with people. He said he feels he can bring a different but positive approach to council. "I always try to look at the good," he says. At the top of DeLuca's list of concerns is the flooding problem in Exeter, which DeLuca says has gone on too long and has caused much frustration in the area. He said there has been too much talk about the prob- lem and not enough action. DeLuca calls for a solution that treats landowners fairly and resolves Exeter homeowners' concerns. Turning towards the estimated $6.2 million Crediton/Centralia sewer project, DeLuca called it "a heart -wrenching issue." He said council must continue to seek grants for the project to help out residents of the villages and agreed Coun. Ken Oke's presentation to Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky Monday (as reported elsewhere in this week's Times -Advocate) is a great idea. DeLuca would also like to see a review of the municipality's policies and bylaws. He said local contractors have told him they feel like they're in the dark on a lot of issues. On economic development, DeLuca said South Huron needs to be aggressive. "It bothers me to see empty stores," he said, adding it can be contagious and puts pressure on the municipality's tax base when businesses close. DeLuca said it's paramount residents be involved in the decision-making process and, while council can't please everybody, it must listen to the concerns of the residents. He says he's always fostered an "open gov- ernment" philosophy during his years on council. He said all public documents should be made available to the public and if elected he will ensure residents get all the information they need on various issues. DeLuca said a council must work as a team to be successful. "You accomplish nothing as a divided council," he said, adding it is a privilege to sit on council and serve the community. DeLuca has attended many South Huron council meetings and keeps up to date with the agendas and minutes on the municipality's website. Married to Christine, the couple has two grown chil- dren and two grandchildren. 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