Steve Konek jumped into action after Typhoon Ketsana ravaged a Vietnamese orphanage Sept. 29.
Konek received this urgent message from a friend in the Central Highlands of Vietnam: “The children are very miserable and hungry, thirsty. We’d like to call your help.”
The Arlington man supports Vinh Son II Orphanage in Kontum. He served in Vietnam as an U.S. Army paratrooper during tours of duty from 1966 through 1968.
He asked buddies with Chapter XVI, Society of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, to help support the kids. They organized two charity baseball games, raising $6,000, and ponied up $1,000 this week.
It’s not Konek’s first humanitarian mission.
Thai Phan, who lives in Seattle, came to the United States in 1976 thanks to Konek’s sponsorship. The translator met Konek during the war.
Phan said he can’t thank his sponsor enough.
“I help him raise money,” Phan said. “The orphans need it.”
Konek learned about Central Highland needs after his father was buried two years ago. A Vietnamese priest who officiated at the service connected Konek with Jack McLaughlin, an orphanage supporter.
The men became friends dedicated to the same cause. Konek, president of the Pacific International League where the Everett Merchants play, organized benefit baseball games with the help of the Airborne Brigade, U.S. Special Forces Association and Veterans of the 81st Special Forces Republic of South Vietnam.
After his Army service, Konek earned a political science degree at the University of Washington. The family man is a grounds keeper for the Marysville School District.
He needs a sponsor for the 2010 game. For more information, e-mail Konek at sk1k47@hotmail.com.
“At the games, we give away free things I gather,” Konek said. “We make it a fun event.”
Konek returned to Vietnam in April to deliver goods to Vinh Son II including bicycles and computers for little ones with few material possessions.
He did some sightseeing and found his old Dak To base camp where the airfield was strewn with roots drying in the sun. He learned a Buddhist temple he yearned to revisit had been destroyed in 1972.
“There were some emotional things there,” Konek said, declining to elaborate.
Some channel pain into action.
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com
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