I know a number of vets who have made the trip back. I have no desire to
go. Tina's pictures made me question my decision, but not for long. I
really don't like hot weather. <g>
But a lot of guys not only go back, but also take up residence. You can
live quite comfortably on very little money. I know an English teacher in
Da Nang who complains that the place is overrun with gray-haired Americans
and their young Vietnamese women. Seems not much has changed, except age
and the fact we no longer are killing one another. I guess that's progress.
<wink>
--Bob Whitmire
Certified Neanderthal
On Sun, Aug 23, 2015 at 6:12 PM, Chuck Norcutt <
chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> And I was on the other side of the timeline. I got out of the Air Force
> in June 1965, after the Gulf of Tonkin incident but before most anyone
> could even spell Vietnam. My closest connection with the war is my
> brother-in-law, a forward artillery observer who returned with a silver
> star and a lot of visible and invisible scars. Parts of it get relived
> when he's had a few too many beers.
>
> To my great surprise he and several of his buddies returned to a lengthy
> tour of Vietnam (north and south) in October, 2007. I was surprised that
> he'd do it and greatly relieved when he returned and reported that it was
> largely cathartic and he was very glad he went.
>
> To the best of my knowledge he's been to the Vietnam Memorial twice. The
> fact that he returned says a lot I think. I've been there twice myself.
> All I can say is that it's a very moving experience even for me who wasn't
> there and totally unlike all the other memorials.
>
--
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