Phan Thi Kim Phuc

If I ever see those pilots who dropped the bombs on me - or any American pilots - I would say to them, 'The war is over. The past is past.' I would ask those pilots what can they do to bring us all together.

I had a lot of pity for myself. But I could concentrate more on my studies as a result.

We should work together to be of peace and happiness for all people in all nations.

I did not think that I could marry or have any children because of my burns. But now I have a wonderful husband, a lovely child and a happy family, thank God.

I love my scars. It reminds me where I come from.

I have two boys, so I don't want any more child to suffer like me.

I hated myself. I hated people who made war. I hated people who were normal. I envied them. I wish I would be normal.

In war time, nowhere is safe.

I wished I died in that attack with my cousin, with my south Vietnamese soldiers. I wish I died at that time so I won't suffer like that anymore... it was so hard for me to carry all that burden with that hatred, with that anger and bitterness.

I got burned by napalm, and I became a victim of war.

I want to have freedom myself, and build my family.

I was a happy child, just 9 years old, and I knew nothing about war.

My character is not sad, not angry. In my house, I'm always laughing, smiling, smiling.

I built my life very normal with everything I do.

I wanted to share my experience with people so that they feel better.

Every movement of mine was under the control of the Vietnamese government, a communist country. I was just a prisoner without walls.

Religion doesn't help me at all. But the relationship between me and God and Jesus, that changed my life.

I am praying every day for peace.

Even if I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bombs I would tell him, 'We cannot change history, but we should try to do good things for the present and for the future to promote peace.'

Yet I was ready for love and joy. I wanted to let go of my pain. I wanted to pursue life instead of holding fast to fantasies of death.