THE WAR AND THE AMERICANS

IN MY COUNTRY

 

Author :  HUYÊN CHƯƠNG QUÝ

 

Translated into English by THANH TÂM

 

 

Commemorate the Vietnamese refugees’ 35 years in foreign countries.  Think with great respect and deep gratitude of all Vietnamese, American, and Allied soldiers—in which there were my own brothers and sisters—who sacrificed their lives for Freedom in the Vietnam War before April 1975.

 

 

         In 1961, my mother was suffered from paralysis; she had all kinds of Chinese and Vietnamese medicine but they did not work; so she had to be admitted in the free hospital of the Provincial Capital Phan Rang.  My father was dead.  Sister Mùi, my oldest sister, who was a melon salewoman in Long Khánh Province came back to visit my mother once in a while.  Brother Phùng, my oldest brother, and Brother Thiện, both older than me, were apprentices without wage in their owner’s shop.  Younger Brother Hỳ was adopted by someone.  I was the only one who was always around to take care of my mother.  Seeing that my mother was poor, the management allowed me to stay in the hospital to help in taking care of my mother.       

        

         Everyday, a part from going to the kitchen for our daily meals, I often loitered around other sections of the hospital. There was one time, passing by the emergency area I saw many wounded soldiers lying on the courtyard.  Blood was all over them.  They moaned, yelled due to the aches of their wounds.  For a while I was in shock, standing to look at the scene, and filled with pity for them.  Another time there were some strong soldiers who carried wounded ones into the area and sat down to take a rest, I had a nerve to make a question.  They said that there was a very violent battle against the VC (= Vietnamese Communist) in Sông Pha, far away from the provincial capital some tens of kilometers.  I did not know the VC who was.  I thought they were bandits.  I was just seven years of age and did not know anything about war.      

        

         Staying in the hospital for some months, my mother’s sickness did not improve.  Aunt Ba Tình, my father’s adopted sister, brought both of us to a small thatch cottage in the yard of her house, located in Tấn Tài B Village, 4 km from the provincial capital.  My mother died in August 1962.  Aunt Ba Tình adopted me as her son and let me go to school properly.  After some crying in a dark corner by myself due to missing my mother, I came back to my innocence, going to school, going and playing with friends, forgetting the everyday laborious time when I had to go to the market by myself, collecting wood, cooking meals and Chinese herb medicine, worrying about my sweet mother who was lying in one spot, and I also forgot the pictures of wounded soldiers covered with blood in the emergency area of the hospital.  For some days my adopted mother and some many other people in the village went to build the fence of the strategic hamlet.  I went along with my adopted mother, running around places to places, but I did not help them anything.  I asked my adopted mother “Why do we have to build such long fence?” and she answered “So that the VC cannot come into the village, because they are very fierce.” At the end of the year, there was Brother Phước, my adopted mother’s nephew, who came from Lâm Đồng Province and told me about his battles against the VC in which many times by himself he drove away hundreds of them.  He set several guns along the communication trench; then he ran back and forth to fire all over at them; they got scared and ran away.  When I grew up, I knew that he lied.  He also told a lie that a VC was very thin like a monkey, some of them climbed on a papaya tree and it did not break.  But at that time I was too young, I admired his stories so much.  He told that the VC caused the war in many regions in our country.  Then, owing to my primary history lessons, plus the reading of the story entitled “Tuấn, the Vietnamese Young Man” written by Nguyễn Vỹ, I began to understand what were the abroad invading force causing the war, the cruelty of the Chinese, and the French exploitation of our fellowmen.  Now, in addition, the brutal VC caused the war.  I felt to be afraid of war, detested the VC, resented the Chinese people from the North, and the French colonists from the West.  At that time the life around me in Phan Rang was still peaceful.  But through Brother Phước’s stories, my innocent brain began to understand the calamity of the war a little bit.       

        

        In the summer of 1965, I completed my third grade.  Sister Mùi brought my brothers and me to Long Khánh, living with Uncle and Aunt Bảy in Tân Phú Hamlet.  The yellow, red road ran from the Provincial Capital Xuân Lộc to the hamlet named Hoàng Diệu on which there was an American camp at the beginning.  Everyone called it Hoàng Diệu Post.  In addition, away from the hamlet about 2 km, there was a military base of the 18^th Army Division and Armored Forces.  Many times, armored cars and GMC trucks carrying full of soldiers run noisily through the hamlet to the jungle, causing the dust flying and falling all over the road.  I guessed the soldiers were in the military operation to fight against the VC.  Then, at times there were much closed loud sounds in the night.  The whole family ran down to the underground shelter.  Uncle Bảy said that the VC was shelling.  The picture of the war already appeared clearly in front of my eyes.      

        

         One day, going back home after school on Hoàng Diệu Street and passing the American camp, I saw many American soldiers walking out of it.  They were tall and they had white skin, aquiline noses, and blue eyes.  There were some also tall, but their faces were black.  By remembering my adopted mother telling me about the French aggressors in the past who were also tall with aquiline noses and blue eyes, plus many black, ferocious legionnaires, naturally I felt a little bit of fear toward these American soldiers.  I thought that certainly they were invading our country.  My curiosity made me to stand and stare at them.  But, why they seemed to be kind, having nothing to be cruel like French aggressors.  They laughed joyfully when they saw I watched while standing, even they waved their hands to me.  One black soldier approached and handed out a piece of chewing-gum.  I shook my head in refusal and ran back home in a hurry.  I said to Uncle Bảy:

      - Today I meet the Americans.  They look like the French aggressors in the appearance.

         Uncle Bảy laughed off the tension:

      - No, they are not aggressors.

      - So, they come here for what?

      - Because the U.S. or the United States of America is the Ally of our Republic of Vietnam, so they send soldiers to help us to fight against the VC.

      - So the Americans are our friends.  No wonder I saw them so mild, even they gave me candy, but I did not take.  Uncle, where is the U.S.?

      - In America.  France is in Europe.  Two countries are far way from each other.  The U.S. is a powerful country, leading the free world against the communist.  Chinese and Russian communists are fierce, they often kill innocent people.  The VC is the underdog of the Russian and Chinese communists; therefore, they also very ferocious, professionally denouncing publicly, robbing properties, and killing people.  Before 1954, your father who was a canton chief of Phước An Canton, Ninh Thuận Province, very rich, whose house was burned by the VC, at that time the so-called Việt Minh (= the Alliance of Vietnamese); they took all of his properties and land.  Your parents ran and took refuge in Tấn Tài B Village, leading such a poor life.       

        

         For my innocent age, the Americans who were present in my country began when I saw them for the first time.  Then the American picture became familiar to me when I often saw GMC trucks carrying American soldiers and running in many other streets in the provincial capital.  Every time seeing that trucks full of American soldiers went by, young kids waved their hands and yelled noisily some words, such as okay, okay, hello, hello, in the hope of receiving some candies from American soldiers.           

        

         Due to the camping of American soldiers, Hoàng Diệu Street gradually became uproariously with bars booming next to each other, along the length and in front of the American post.  Young girls, with faces full of make-up, wearing miniskirts very short, usually stood at the front of bars and invited American soldiers.  If there was a soldier who agreed to come in, the girl would hold his waist, touched his shoulders, laughed and indulged familiarity with him.  Sometimes there were some drunk American soldiers who did something wrong, the girls yelled and ran like hell to the street.

        

         The fate of Tân Phú Hamlet had the same that of the American post when they sustained the VC’s shellings.  Every time the VC shelled, the American post pounded at it back.  Thunderous sounds echoed in the night.  After dinner time, people in the hamlet were worry in fear that when the VC would shell.  They did not have a good sleep.  The family of my Unle and Aunt Bảy had the same.  For my part, each time having to come down to the underground shelter, I felt uneasy about it.  I and other seven persons of the family together sat squatting in the shelter.  The red-soil wall of the shelter was humid, giving out a bad odor, terrible smell making me going to vomit.  Also I head fell down then it was up because of my sleepiness; many times I fell and laid down in the shelter then my face, nose, hands, legs, clothes were stained with red soil…  

   

         There were many shellings in which shells felled down right at the people’s houses.  How tragic, lugubrious were the crying and yelling of the neighbors in the dark night!  The VC’s shelling increased night by night to the point that Uncle did not bother to run down to the shelter anymore.  All people in our family sat in the shelter but were constantly worry about him.  Aunt Bảy screamed:

       - Please go down to the shelter.  Please go down!

My Uncle’s voice echoed down:

       - Stay safely in the shelter.  Don’t worry about me.

         Aunt Bảy screamed louder:

             - Oh my God!  Do you want to die?  I beg you!  Go down to the shelter, please.

             - Don’t worry.  My time will be soon; I’m not afraid to die.

         The same refrain which repeated every night between them became familiar to me.   Since then, every day I began to stick my eyes on the war news in daily newspapers.  I learned that the war spread all over the South Vietnam.  The number of American soldiers engaging in the war augmented to hundred thousand.  In addition, there were soldiers from other allied countries, such as Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, Autralia, and Philippines.  The more the intensity of the war stepped up, the more the American soldiers at Hoàng Diệu post and the people of Tân Phú Hamlet suffered by the VC’s shelling.  Every some days a house collapsed and some inhabitants died or were wounded.  In my innocent age, once I asked myself:  Is it because the more Americans’ presence, the more the war spread; or because the more the VC augments war activities and expands the war, the more the Americans are crowdedly present in my country?  But then I also forgot these queries.  The war which was more highly devastating day-by-day became familiar like taking meals everyday—breakfast, lunch, and supper.  My inexperienced brain had not enough capacity to find and understand complicated matters.  I had to take care of my studies.  Besides I had to help my Uncle and Aunt’s family in cultivation.  

       

 

         At the end of 1966, Sister Mùi married a Vietnamese who was an American airborne soldier.  I and Brother Thiện lived with her.  The American airborne was a military force directly trained, commanded, and paid by the American.  At the beginning, Vọng, my brother-in-law, whose company camped in Gia Liêu, near the provincial capital.  Some months later, his company moved to camp in the middle of Mt. Thị, approximately 10km from the provincial capital.  On the top of the mountain, there was an American special force.  My sister got a job as a cook for American officers.  Every night, about 8 p.m., I went up to the top of the mountain to welcome her back home.  Many times I met American officers.  They were friendly and open-minded.  This time a white American officer took cookies and invited me to eat.  Other time a black American officer took a cold can of Coke and gave it to me; then he rubbed my head and said some American sentences.  My sister interpreted:  “He said you are mild, having fair complexion, lovable, but having a small appearance of eight or nine years old boy.  He does not believe that you are already 13 years of age.”  I shyly thanked him.  I was sympathetic to the American.  Therefore, I was in anguish for them when I read newspapers and knew many American soldiers wounded, died while fighting very close by our soldiers all over in the half S-shaped territory.  Totally forgetting Uncle Bảy’s explanation, I asked myself:  Why do the Americans from a place very, very far separated by the Pacific Ocean come here to fight and die for my country like that?

        

         Near the end of 1967, Brother Vọng’s company moved to the American airbone camp in Bến Sỏi, Tây Ninh Province.  My sister followed her husband.  I and Brother Thiện lived with Ms. Lang, my older cousin in the neighborhood called Rubber Tree, near Xuân Lộc bus station.  Brother Phùng left Uncle Bảy’s house to go to Sài Gòn and lived with the family of Aunt Mười of my maternal relatives.  In the Vietnamese New Year of 1968 (called Tết Mậu Thân), the VC opened a general offensive operation in Sài Gòn, Huế and other provinces and towns in South Vietnam.  I did not know that Ms. Lang was a sleeper VC.  At midnight of the New Year’s Eve, the communist forces attacked the provincial capital; Ms. Lang led Lộc, her son, 17 years of age and Brother Thiện to go around in the neighborhood, calling the people to stand up and overthrow the “American, Quisling” government.  Lying down in the house, I clearly heard the voice of Ms. Lang, Lộc, and Brother Thiện, echoing in the night.

        

         The VC’s attack failed with many corpses displayed in the provincial capital.  Ms. Lang led Lộc and Brother Thiện going to the jungle to be guerrillas.  I ran back to Uncle Bảy’s house.  After completing the sixth grade, I went to Sài Gòn and lived with Brother Phùng.  In Sài Gòn, there were still some traces devastated by shellings; and the people still had some worried, anxious traits on their faces.  Particularly Huế where the communist forces occupied for 25 days, they massacred more than 6 thousand people then buried them in common, big, and large holes in the city.  I was chilled when I heard the story.

        

        At the end of 1968, Ms. Lang had a messenger to inform to Uncle Bảy that Brother Thiện and Lộc were dead in a clean-up operation of the 18^th Army Division.  Listening to Uncle Bảy’s information, I went to the backyard and sat alone for while; then I cried bitterly.  Next, Ngọc, the only son of Uncle Bảy, a soldier of the Division, also sacrificed his life in an operation to the VC’s base at the Vietnamese-Cambodian border.  Then Brother Phùng enlisted to be a soldier of the 7^th Army Division, camped at Đồng Tâm Base, near Mỹ Tho City.  I went up to Tây Ninh and lived with Sister and Brother Mùi at the Bến Sỏi American airborne camp from the middle of 1969 to that of 1970.  This was the time I had many souvenirs very beautiful, very quiet and gentle, happy with many American soldiers, and I understood more why the Americans coming to my country, working, laboring, spending money, boms, ammunition, and lost their lives to protect South Vietnam.

        

 

         The Bến Sỏi American airborne camp was directly commanded by a group of Vietnamese special force officers, but it belonged to B16 Camp of the American special force in Tây Ninh Province.  The camp was located about six or seven km from the Vietnamese-Cambodian borderline.  Around the defensive posts of the camp there were six barbed wire fences hooked with Claymore mines, a kind of mine shooting tiny shells towards and against the invading enemies.  A little far from the fences, the people’s houses were in the North and West sides; the uncultivated field was in the East side; the Vàm Cỏ River twisted, curved, and slowly passed by in the South side.  The military population of the camp was four special airbone companies; in addition, there was an artillery company.  The soldiers of three companies (349, 351, and 352) were genuine Vietnamese.  Particularly Company 350, in which Brother Vọng was the company deputy chief, was all Khmer Vietnamese, recruited by the Americans from Vĩnh Bình Province.

        

          Brother Vọng was also a Khmer Vietnamese, but he had a white complexion better than many Vietnamese.  His appearance was slim, delicate like a student.  On his face, there were sturdy, courageous traits of a soldier experienced in life and war.  The smile was always on his mouth and his character was kind and modest.  Perhaps these were the reasons that my sister loved him with all her heart and happily lived with him.  I was happy for my sister who got a good husband.  Brother Vọng loved me as his own younger brother.  This time, he himself wrote a letter to invite me to go to Bến Sỏi and to live with them so that sister and brothers being near each other.  He already waited for hours at Tây Ninh bus station to welcome me and lead me to Bến Sỏi.  As he told me, in some past years, because Bến Sỏi camp was located near the borderline which was the VC’s base, it was under much pressure of the communist forces.  Many times communist forces attacked the camp with sea-of-people strategies; first they shelled, then they attacked, but they were failed by the determined defense of the American special force.  They withdrew and left many dead bodies on the barbed wire fence. The issue sustained every night shelling showers of the VC was become a too common matter for Bến Sỏi special force soldiers and their wives and children.  Sister Mùi who followed Brother Vọng for some years; therefore, she used to danger and hardship in the life of a soldier wife.  Ammunition, shell, the death of human beings in the war became familiar to her.

        

         At that time Brother and Sister Mùi had a one-year-old boy named Quang.  I lived with them in a house with a low, dented roof made of metal sheets in the inhabitant neighborhood, near the ferry of Vàm Cỏ River.  Brother Vọng was very busy with his duties; he only stopped by at the house for some moment whenever he had free time.  At lunch time, I went to the camp to get our food for the whole family.  Every late afternoon, Sister Mùi carried Newphew Quang and we went to the camp to stay overnight in an underground shelter covered around and on the top by sand bags; it was also a very strong defensive work.  In the first two months I loitered and wandered around some neighborhoods.  I made the acquaintance of some friends of the same age group; we often had a date to go to pluck guavas, tamarinds.  After eating, we played marbles, wrestling.  After that, we induced each other to go swimming and then we had swimming competition.  There is one time I requested for getting on a motor boat of the River Force Unit.  The motor boat floated along the Vàm Cỏ River twisting and curving.  On both sides of the river, mixed in a range of green coconut trees were all kinds of wild flowers colorful in red, yellow, and purple.  The scenery was very beautiful and poetic.  When we were away from the resident area, a soldier of the Unit threw a grenade in the water.  Some minutes later, fish floated on the surface; it was a sight for sore eyes.  We competed to pick up the fish, laughing and talking noisily.  The life was very joyful but for nothing.  Perhaps, realizing this nothingness, I went to sell peanuts in the camp in the middle of August 1969.

        

        After my lunch, I usually took a rest for an hour; then I went to the owner shop to take peanuts and bring them to the camp.  Each day, this light work helped me to earn some tens of Vietnamese đồng to spend miscellaneously.  The time went by so fast:  I already did my business for one month.  In a late afternoon, seeing that there were only some bags in the peanut box, I took a rest on an underground shelter near the barracks of American advisers.  An adviser who was looking young stepped out of a barrack and he walked back and forth on the porch.  I did not know what he planned to do.  Perhaps he was just to exercise for his muscles and veins.  All of a sudden he looked towards my sight then approached me.  He had a very cheerful smile and said:

       - Hello! How are you?

         I also knew a little some common English sentences and I understood that this was a greeting phrase, so I smiled joyfully and responded:

       - Yes! I am very good, and you?

       - Very good too!

         Then he pointed to the peanut box and asked:

             - How much?

         Basically I already had the sympathy for the Americans and I would have wanted to take this occasion in showing my good feeling so I took two bags of peanuts and gave him; then I shook my hand and said:

       - I like you.  I don’t take money.

        A surprised trait appeared on his face.  He said a little long sentence; I expressed that I did not understand.  He waved back his finger:

       - Come with me.

         I followed him to his barrack.  He called a Vietnamese soldier and said something to him.  The latter turned to me and introduced:

       - I am Tô, the interpreter.  And he is Bonny, first lieutenant, chief advisor here.  He said why you go to sell but you do not want to take his money?

         I hummed and hawed for a while then said:

       - Sir, because I respect very much the American soldiers who came from the U.S. far away and help us to fight against the VC.  I detest the VC a lot.

Mr. Tô interpreted my saying to Lt. Bonny; he nodded, nodded his head.  Through Mr. Tô the interpreter, he talked to me:

       - You are very good.  What’s your name?  How old are you?

             - Sir, my name is Quý, 15 years old.

             - Whom do you live within the camp?

       - Sir, I live with my brother and sister.  Brother Vọng is my brother-in-law, deputy chief of Company 350

             - And where are your parents?

             - Sir, my parents died when I was young.

             - Do you go to school?

       - Sir, I completed Grade 6.  Now it is difficult to go school from here.  The distance from Bến Sỏi to the Provincial Capital Tây Ninh is some tens kilometers.  It’s too far.

         Lt. Bonny had a pensive expression for while then said to Mr. Tô a little long sentence.  Mr. Tô smiled and interpreted:

       - He said that your situation is very pitiful.  He feels sorry for you.  You are 15 years of age but so small like a ten-year old boy looking amiable.  As of tomorrow, you will not go to sell peanuts any more.  It is hard and miserable.  You come to stay at his barrack forever.  It is considered that he supports you. 

        Mr. Tô patted my shoulder and continued:

            - Well, you are happy now.  Let say thank you to him.    

        I stood up, saying in low voice:

            - Thank you very much.

        Then I took all of peanuts in the box and gave them to Tô:

           - Still having some bags, I offer them to you.  Tomorrow I will come.

        Lt. Bonny shook my hand:

      - See you tomorrow.

        I bowed my head to say good-bye to him and said thank you to Mr. Tô; then I came back to the underground to tell the opportunity to Sister Mùi.  She happily said:

      - Good, it’s happy for you to live in the adviser’s barrack.  But, remember don’t do bad thing so that they do not look down the Vietnamese.

      

         American barracks had five partitions.  The first partition connected to working, resting, and sleeping underground shelters of the advisory group.  The second partition was very large, including a kitchen, recreation room, and also the sleeping places for Mr. Tô, Mr. Kim, and me.  The middle partition which was less spacious was used as the living room, having the front and back doors.  The fourth and fifth partitions are working, sleeping, resting of the reinforced Army Engineer and Communication Unit.  They were in charge of the radar which was erected some tens of meters in the middle of the camp.  Behind these barracks there were underground shelters for everyone whenever there was a shelling.  In the first two weeks, a part from Lt. Bonny and Mr. Tô, I had a close acquaintance with Sergeant John, the deputy chief of the advisory group, Mr. Kim, an interpreter, Ms. Dung, a cook, Mr. Lai, laundry man, and some other American soldiers in the reinforced unite, such as Henry, Andy, Kim, Danny, Peter, etc.  Mr. Lai and Ms. Dung were common inhabitants in the provincial capital, coming in the morning and going back home in the late afternoon.  Ms. Dung was a very good cook of American food.  But I ate at the advisor’s barrack in the late afternoon only.  At lunch, I still went to get our meals at the mess hall and ate with Sister Mùi, her husband, and her son at home for the family happiness.

        

         When I lived outside of the camp, I did not have money to buy my drink even though I craved for a glass of lime and ice cubes—even a glass of cold water to sooth my throat under the terrible heat of arid Bến Sỏi area.  Since the day I was free to come in and go out of the advisor’s barrack, I drank cold Coke and eat oranges, apples, grapes, cookies to my heart’s content.  Whenever there was nothing to do, I often wandered around and talked to American soldiers.  Completing the conversation with this one, I met the other.  Whenever I could not make a sentence, I used all kinds of gesture to express it.  But they still understood.  I learned more English conversation through them.  They often took out and showed to me the pictures of their beloved people, such as father, mother, wife, child, in the U.S. and they said that they missed them very much.  I understood their sentiments, the nostalgia and missing of the American soldiers who left their families to fight in a strange country.  It was very sad.  Several times they sung for me or asked me to climb up to the observation post.  Standing in the observation post, I could see the scenery far away some kilometers.

        

         Lt. Bonny—30 years of age, white complexion, tall, choppy face—whose personality was serious talked less to everybody.  On the contrary, Sgt John, 35 years old, was very open, joyful, and talkative.  He was also tall, round face, white and pink complexion; in walking or standing he put his arms akimbo.  He liked Vietnamese food.  Every weekend he and Mr. Kim gave me a drive to Tây Ninh, to the command center of the Special Force B16 to get films, miscellaneous documents; then we stopped by the provincial capital to eat Phở (= the Vietnamese white noodle soup).  Sometimes he led me to the market to buy rice vermicelli, vegetable, shrimp, streaky piece of pork, fish sauce; then he gave all of them to Ms. Dung to prepare and cook; later she displayed everything in the middle of the recreation area and invited everybody to have some.  He felt very happy to see the way in which Sergeant John mixing vegetable, rice vermicelli, shrimp, meat, rolling them inside a piece of rice paper, dipping the whole thing in a cup of fish sauce mixed with hot pepper, and cheerfully eating like a real Vietnamese.  After that he put the film on for everybody in the advisor’s barrack to watch.

        

 

         Sgt. John had the character loving people, especially children.  He often went out to the residential neighborhood to give cookies, candies, and he played very carefree with children.  When Sgt. John knew what house was get the VC’s shelling, he came to visit and gave the victim some money.  Once I brought him to visit Sister Mùi’s house.  He liked Nephew Quang and often he bought gift for him.  He also did his best to help a poor family, near my sister’s house, which had a nine-year-old daughter whose leg was cut off above the knee.  He bought for her a handicapped rolling cart and many toys.  Each week, he visited the child once and he pushed the cart around the neighborhood…  I considered him as a live saint.  His love is humanity love without limit.

         

         After one month at the advisor, in a supper, Lt. Bonny asked Mr. Tô to interpret to me that he had a brother who was a medical doctor in the U.S. and wanted to find an adopted son in Vietnam.  He already introduced my situation to his brother and the latter agreed to have me as his adopted son.  I accepted immediately.  He said that “tomorrow you go home and ask your sister to come here to meet him for discussion.”

         In that very evening, I went to the underground shelter to look for Sister Mùi.  She was sitting outside with some female friends.  Just listening to my story about going to be an adopted son of the American, Sister Mùi’s friends backbit:

       - Oh my God!  How can sister and younger brother see each other when he goes to a very, very far country?

       - How do we know he is happy while being an adopted son of the American?  You never know they let him to be a servant then his life is miserable.

       - Getting over there without English, how he can live.

       - When you will meet him again.  Don’t let him go.

         I got upset:

       - Brother Tô, the interpreter, said that he is a medical doctor, very rich.  The U.S. is a rich, powerful country, most civilized in the world.  The laws of this country define that an adopted child is similar to a real child who is allowed to go to school until graduation.  Sister, do not listen to their incitements.

         Sister Mùi had a meditative look for while then decided:

       - I do not agree.  Our parents are dead.  Thiện was also dead.  Hỷ is an adopted son for someone in Phan Rang; we have not met him again even though he is in the country.  Your Brother Phùng is in the military service, here and there all over the four military regions.  I have only you next to me.  How can I …

         She hesitated for a moment then determined:

       - I do not accept.  I do not want sister and brother to be separated.

         I tried to convince:

       - Sister, I want to go.  Brother Tô said that the life in the American is very happy.  And I will be happier because I am a medical doctor’s son.  Sister, please permit me to go.  I will often write letters to you, not disappearing forever.  I will go back to visit you when I have the opportunity.   

         Sister kept quiet, I insisted:

       - Sister…Sister…  Permit me to go, Sister…

Seeing that I kept insisting, Sister Mùi responded equivocally:   

       - Well, let me think tonight.  Then tomorrow I will come to Lt. Bonny and see what he will say.

         The next afternoon, I and Mr. Kim led Sister Mùi go down to Lt. Bonny’s working underground shelter. After Lt. Bonny said a long sentence in English, Kim, the interpreter, translated it to Sister Mùi:

       - He said that in the U.S. his brother is a medical doctor, 45 years of age, very rich, but he has no child.  His character is very mind and charitable.  Lt. Bonny felt Quý, your younger brother is also mild, lovable; therefore, he would like to ask your permission permitting Quý to become his brother’s adopted son.  If you accepted, please sign the agreement.  Then, next week he will bring Quý to Saigon to study English for six months.  He will take care of all expenses for Quý in Saigon.  After that he will process the procedures for Quý going to the U.S.

         I looked at Sister Mùi.  All of my bright future which waited for her signature only could be realized.  But, Sister Mùi continued to sit quietly.  No words.  Then two tears fell down on her beautiful face shadowed by her melancholy.  She cried!  Seeing such situation Lt. Bonny sighed.  I was disappointed!...   Everybody was quiet.  A moment later, Lt. Bonny stood up and said something and Mr. Kim interpreted:

       - Well, you do not accept, so be it!  He said if he is not going to the U.S., so he keeps stay here.  But Quý should go back to school.  Let him play and loiter around all the time he will be bad.

      

         So I went back to school.  I got in Grade 7 at Hàn Thuyên High School in the Provincial Capital Tây Ninh.  Enterring late one month, but I still got good grades and kept up with classmates.  Lt. Bonny gave me money to buy notebooks and books and some for miscellaneous spending each week.  Each morning the advisor’s driver gave me a ride to school by the Jeep.  In the late afternoon, I hitch-hiked a military GMC truck to go back to the camp.  Every weekend I went out with Sgt. John or other American soldiers in the reinforced unit.  There was one time in which Sgt. John traveled to Saigon and Biên Hòa; we enjoyed many Vietnamese meals and we did not come back to the camp until the next day.  Once in a while Peter and Henry gave me a drive to an American Base in Trảng Sụp.  Entering PS, Peter bought for me a radio.  Henry also bought for me some T-shirts.  Another day Danny gave me a drive and he bought for me a camera.  These gifts were very valuable for me; they filled with their loves for me; they also showed the kindness of distant military soldiers to the poor people in a devastated country, suffered by bombs, ammunition, smokes, and flames of the war.

      

        The shelling showers on the camp also continued every night.  Mr. Tô, Mr. Kim and I never ran into the underground shelter.  Mr. Kim said: “Never mind!  Let them shell.  We die or live according to our fates.”  Several times in the night, in the middle of the explosion of shells, I heard a mixing screams of someone suffered in the circle of defensive works.  I knew that some soldiers in the observatory post got the shells.  Owing to sleep next to Mr. Tô and Mr. Kim and to listen to their conversation, I knew more about the U.S.A. and the Americans.  Many times they argued each other about some news issues which I, at that time, had enough age and intelligence to understand what they said.  Mr. Tô commented:

       - I see that in the time of President Ngô Đình Diệm our country was still in peace.  Because the Americans brought their soldiers to South Vietnam, the war has spread.

         Mr. Kim did not agree:

       - Peace was before 1960.  Since 1960 the VC established the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam; they acted strongly, fought and devastated many places.  Then the North Vietnamese Communists invaded South Vietnam; so the Americans had to directly participate in the war.

       - I think, it was enough if the U.S.A. aided with arms, ammunitions, money, and military advisors to President Diệm.  President Diệm and Mr. Nhu had enough capacity to lead South Vietnam against the communist.  President already stated:  “If the Americans bring their soldiers into our country, we will lose the just cause.  North Vietnam will have the reason to invade South Vietnam.”  Evidently, since the American military forces bombed Hà Nội after the event of Hạ Long Bay, then they brought their military forces to combat, the war begun ferociously as it is now.  It is regretful that the Americans killed President Diệm and his younger brother.  President Diệm and Mr. Nhu were patriots.

         I interfered by asking:

       - What!  Why the killer was the American?  I heard that the group of Vietnamese generals killed President Diệm.

        Mr. Tô answered:

       - Vietnamese generals group was bought by the Americans; so the President Diệm’s killing was urged by the Americans.

       - I see that the American is mild, having good character.  Certainly it is not that.

       - When you grow up, you will understand.

         Mr. Kim’s voice echoed:

       - It was still good if the Americans ordered the coup generals group because the Diệm government was dictatorial, family-led, and also stubborn to the Americans.  The Americans who spent money and belongings wanted the South Vietnam leaders to listen to them.  The struggle against the communism has not been only for some sparse guerillas in South Vietnam, but for the whole group of international communists while the regular military forces of North Vietnam were henchmen.  Even though there are not the direct participation of the American military forces in the war, the North Vietnamese communists still invade South Vietnam under the command of the U.S.S.R. and China.  After occupying South Vietnam, they will take over other countries in Southeast Asia according to their goal to redden the whole world.  After the Geneva Accord of 1954, the North Vietnamese communists laid their sleeper cadres all over South Vietnam on the main purpose to prepare for their invading war in South Vietnam some years later.  Now, everybody can see it.  The Americans is the leader of the free world; because of their ideals for the protection of the just liberalism and for the humanism, they must act decisively to stop the “red” wave.  If there have not had the military forces of the Americans and many other allied countries to help our Republic of Vietnam, certainly the VC already took over South Vietnam now

         Mr. Tô still did not give up:

       - I still have the sympathy for President Diệm and Mr. Nhu.  It was a pity to hear that they who were beaten and shot in the head died dramatically in a tank.  I still think that the Americans should not bring their military forces to our country, but only have the reinforcement of money, tanks, airplanes, arms, and military advisors; that is enough.  That is better.  People and military forces of South Vietnam have struggled of great fortitude; they have enough powers to defeat the North Vietnamese communists.  The American government brings half of a million soldiers into our country:  half of the issue is helping us to fight against the communist, and the other half is business.  They also satisfy the benefits of American capitalists, solve the unemployed problem—providing jobs for their countrymen.    

         I did not know that Mr. Kim still listened to Mr. Tô’s saying or not, but I heard Mr. Kim’s snoring.  I asked Mr. Tô:

       - What is to satify the benefits of American capitalism?

       - That is to consume the storage of arms and ammunitions since the World War II by arming our South Vietnam military forces.  At the same time, with the war and half of million expeditionary military force, American capitalists have the opportunity to produce more other modernized arms, such as tanks, airplanes, battle ships, personal guns, bombs, ammunition, then more military clothes and equipments, medicines, food, and many more… to supply the needs of combating soldiers in the war zone.  Owing to that, American capitalists gain so many benefits and the people have more employments in the arms, national defensive goods.

        I was still unclear in some points about:

       - But the war causes expenses of money and life.  The American budget will increase very high.  Will the profit be better the expenditure?

       - I cannot do this math problem.  But I think that in the long run it is very good for the American capitalists and I would not be wrong anything.  However, Mr. Kim’s words were partially right.  The U.S.A. is the most civilized, democratic country in the world; therefore the American people have the politics of virtue and they feel that they have the responsibility to undertake the free world protection against the international communist forces, dictatorial, authoritarian.  As in the World War II, owing to the U.S.A. led the Allied forces to defeat the Nazi Germany, liberating French and some other European countries which avoided the bloody domination of Adolf Hitler. 

         However, I said:

       - I think of the same.  I feel sorry for American soldiers.  They fight for our country.  All American soldiers whom I have known are good and very kind.

       - OK, I also have my love for them.  Well, sleep…

      

         Brother Vọng’s Company 350 went to the military operation for the whole week.  Each time like that, Sister Mùi was anxious, waiting, and kept waiting.  There was a time his company encountered the enemies, some soldiers died in fighting.  I felt awfully sad and my eyes ran a little tear while seeing their wives and children who cried tragically.  At the beginning of 1970, the VC had the nerve to come in the inhabitant neighborhood near the camp in the middle of the day.  The spying unit informed that there were about two enemy companies.  In the late afternoon, Company 350 and Company 351 had the order to begin the attack suddenly, arranging the battle in the savage field in the East of the camp.  Captain Hải, the chief of the camp, stood on the top of the underground shelter to command his troops in the battle field. Imitating him, I stood on other underground shelter, watching the field without thought of danger or bullet.  I recognized Brother Vọng led the front line of the troop, running with his back down, advancing, and lying down.  Thunderous noises echoed the whole area.  Bullets were shot in series from the enemies hiding in bushes in the residential neighborhood.  The sounds of heavy machine guns, light machine guns, personal guns from the Airbone unit troop also roared without interruption.  Lt. Bonny and Sgt. John came out together and stood next to Capt. Hải.  After observing the battle for while and discussing with Capt. Hải something, they went down and came in the advisor’s barrack.  About one hour and a half later, a helicopter came and sprayed rolling color smoke along the savage field.  Immediately, many other helicopters came and loaded reinforced army soldiers after the curtain of smoke.  I thought that Lt. Bonny already called the reinforcement force.

      

         The brutal battle last until the very late afternoon and the enemies ran away, leaving many dead bodies.  Our soldiers caught two VCs, confiscated a number of automatic guns AK47 and bazookas B40 and B41 which were displayed in the activity room of the camp.  For the first time of my life, I witnessed a battle happened before my eyes and saw the valiant combat of the American airborne soldiers in particular and of all military personnel of the Republic of Vietnam in the struggle against the invasion of the North Vietnamese communists.  I also saw the efficient work of American advisors in the fighting coordination with our military forces.  Mr. Kim and Mr. Tô told me that in some local areas belonged to the First Strategic Region and the Second Strategic Region in the North of South Vietnam there were many battles more frightening than a thousand times.  Some localities such as Dakto, Khe Sanh were very well-known in our military history.  In Khe Sanh, for many days and nights American forces held out until death facing shelling and sea-of-men attacking strategy of the regular military forces of North Vietnam.  People compared the very fierce degree of the Khe Sanh Battle to the Điện Biên Phủ Battle.  However,   Vietnamese communists beat French soldiers in Điện Biên Phủ, but in Khe Sanh the VC lost heavily before the fearless, trong combat of valiant American soldiers…

      

         In March, 1970, a sudden occurance made me very sad for the whole day. Brother Vọng’s Company 350, under the command of the American Special Force, had to move to Phnom Penh to assist the Lonnol government in Campuchea; after Lonnol overthrew King Sihanouk’s monarchy, Sister Mùi had to go along with her husband.  On the departing day, in carrying Nephew Quang, Sister Mùi cried bitterly and said:

       - I did not expect to leave you for going with my husband as it is.  If I knew, I would let you become the adopted son of the American medical doctor.  I already harmed you!

         I consoled her:

       - Don't be sad any more!  Sister!  I understand because you love me.  When you get there, see how is the situation then you write to me through Aunt Mười's address in Saigon, please… 

         I kissed Nephew Quang's cheek and continued:

       - There is also the war with Khmer Rouge in Kampuchea.  I am worried for both of you and Nephew Quang very much.  Take care of your health, please.

         Brother Vọng hugged me tightly:

       - Hope the war ends soon so that we reunite some day.

        Already on the truck Sister Mùi still looked at me with her melancholy eyes full of tear.  One by one the trucks got on the ferry, passing the river.  Hands waved at other ones.  Watching the convoy, carrying military soldiers and their family members, was dimmed slowly in the other side of the river, all of a sudden I cried: 

          No separated moment is without tear

          Very gloomy cloud covers my soul

          My heart hurts so much while bidding farewell to my sister and brother

          I dream of reunion in peaceful life…

         Coming back to the advisor's barrack I informed Lt. Bonny and Sgt. John that I will go to Saigon.  Both advised me to stay and complete the schoolyear before going.  I said that let me think it over.  On the next day, I agreed to stay.  Sgt. laughed loudly, hugged me; then he carried me as I was a little boy three to four year old.  I got emotional and also laughed loudly with him.

      

         Half month later, Lt. Bonny and Sgt. John were transferred to the headquarters in Tây Ninh.  Both introduced me to the new advisory board which included Lt. Calvin and Sgt. Munoz.  Again the Bến Sỏi Ferry Pier witnessed another separation.  This time was between two American soldiers and a young Vietnamese boy in which the emotion was not different from that of among close family members.  I said to both of them:

        - Thank you very much for your support.  You two have the best of human kindness in the world. I always keep in mind your love for me.

          Lt. Bonny and Sgt. John smiled together and in turn they hugged tightly before getting in their car.  I watched their Jeep until it moved away, very far then disappeared under the dark, gray; then I sluggishly came back to the camp.

      

         Lt. Calvin, Mexican American, had a small stature like the Vietnamese and he also talked less like Lt. Bonny.  He was not friendly to me, but he often smiled every time he met me in taking meals or watching movies.  Sgt. Munoz, 34 year of age, German American, who had a fat stature, a little tall was composed in character, spoke moderately, and never smiled.  He spoke Vietnamese fluently owing to his Vietnamese wife.  I felt close to him because he knew Vietnamese language and his voice was soft.  Listening to my story regarding the separation among close family members and death in my family, I had a great deal of sympathy for me.  He was also kind to me as Sgt. John and Lt. Bonny were before.  In weekend, going to the provincial capital he brought me along and we came in the market to eat the Chinese white noodle soup or the Vietnamese salt pancake which were his two favorite meals.  After eating he gave some money and said:

       - Quý!  You keep it for miscellaneous spending.  Each week, I will give you some like that.

         There were many days that he drove the Jeep by himself and gave me a drive to school in the morning; then he picked me up in the afternoon.  I felt my love for him so much.

       

        At the end of April, Mrs. Hồng, Sgt. Munoz's wife, went up to visit him from Biên Hòa Province.  She who was 27 years of age had a profound beauty, grace, open mind, and joyful character.  She and I were close like sister and brother.  Every late afternoon Sgt. Munoz led his wife and me to the inhabitant neighborhood, going into a store build by coconut tree leaves to have coffee with ice cubes.  He said that because of its strong flavor he liked Vietnamese coffee which was not flat like American coffee.  There was a time that he requested the River Force Unit for giving us a cool tour on the river with a motor boat.  The close tie and joy among three of us made us like real family members.  On the day Mrs. Hồng came back to Biên Hòa, Sgt. Munoz gave her and me a drive to have breakfast; then we went around in the Provincial Capital Tây Ninh.  At noon we got in a restaurant.  After a satisfied lunch we went to the bus station.

      

         At the end of May, 1970 I finished my schoolyear with the second prize.  Sgt. Munoz touched around on my head while giving a compliment:

       - Very good!  You are very good.  In the future keep it the same when you go back to Saigon.

       - Yes, thank you.  So, some more days shall I go back to Saigon?

         Sgt. Munoz glower his eyes:

       - Why it is in such hurry?   Stay half month more.  Also I do not stay in this camp very long any more.

       -  What!  Why so?

       -  Because this airborne camp is going to become the special task force troop camp.  Well, now I award a restaurant meal to you.  Get in the Jeep, I give you a ride to Tây Ninh.

       - Oh!  Thank you.

         I shouted for joy then jumped into the Jeep.  That day, after eating Sgt. Munoz led me to the market to buy for me some clothes and a suitcase.  He said:

       - For you to carry your things on the day going to Saigon.

         I had the feeling of a younger brother who had a real brother paying attention and taking care of me.          

         

         Half month later, Sgt. Munoz carried my suitcase and put it in the Jeep.  I shook Lt. Calvin's hand and said:       

       - Thank you so much for your kindness.  I wish you the best of health and happiness.

         He had a big smile and tightly shook my hand:

       - Have a good trip.

        I come to shake Mr. Tô and Mr. Kim's hands and said my thanks to both of them.  Mr. Tô patted my shoulder:

       - In Saigon you pay attention to your studies.  Don't play around then your life will be miserable.

         Mr. Kim joked:

       - When you marry, remember to invite us to drink.

       - Yes.  I will write letters to both of you.

         Then, in turn I shook the hands of Peter, Henry, Jim, Danny, and Andy, then said:           

       - I hope one day we will meet each other. Hope you have the best of health and happiness.

         Sgt. Munoz already sat behind the steering wheel.  I got in and sat next to him.  He turned his head back and waved his hand to his friends.  The Jeep ran, but I still saw them standing to watch.  Sgt. Munoz drove the Jeep which left the ferry boat, slowly climbed the river bank, and then ran fast on the red, yellow road.  Good-bye Bến Sỏi!  I was saying farewell to a battle field area a lot of danger but full of human love.  I was wishing safety for kind American soldiers and valiant combatants of Bến Sỏi American special force camp.         

       

         As the time he sent Mrs. Hồng, Sgt. Munoz led me to a quarter in the center of the provincial capital; we came in a restaurant for a lavish meal.  In this last time, I had the courage to ask him:

       - Are you sad when you are far away from your home and country to fight for my poor homeland?

         Sgt. Munoz answered with a low, slow voice:          

       - Being far from home and country everyone is sad.  But being a soldier one must accept to fight at any place which the superior commands.  Coming here to fight for your country is a duty, a responsibility of American soldiers to help your fellowmen avoiding the invasion of communists.  They are very dictatorial, dishonest, and cruel.  I hope the Vietnamese people to have peaceful days soon.

       - How do you think about the people of my country?

       - The Vietnamese is very courageous, full of unshakeable stamina in the struggle against foreign invasion.  I know some history of your country.  After one thousand year under the Chinese domination, they were not assimilated.  To keep the territory intact, many times the Vietnamese heroically fought and drove off the Chinese, French, Japanese enemies.  In addition, they expanded their territory.  Regrettably, because of communist calamity the country has been divided into two countries, the North and the South, which has two different regimes.  Germany of my grandparents was also divided into two countries.  It is a heart-break!

         Sgt. Munoz held his glass of water to drink a few sips then continued:

       - The Vietnamese also has many respectable characters, such as mildness, friendliness, diligence, patience, and willing to sacrifice for beloved people.  Particularly, the Vietnamese woman has soft, gentle beauty.  Therefore, I married Ms. Hồng.

       - Do you have a marriage certificate with Mrs. Hồng?  

       - Yes, I do.  I also had the wedding ceremony according to the Vietnamese custom with Hồng in Biên Hòa.  When I go back to the state, I will sponsor her to the U.S.           

       - I respectfully wish both of you always happy and living next to each other forever.

       - Thank you very much.  Well, we go to the bus station.

        At the bus station, I tightly embraced him.  He did the same for a long moment.  My eyes turned red.  In my youth I had so many farewells and separations.  Sgt. Munoz carried my suitcase to the driver's aid the walked towards me.  He gave me an envelope and said:

        - You keep it, for buying your notebooks and books when you go to school.

         Holding the envelope, I said emotionally:

        - Thank you very much.  You are really kind to me like my real brother treating a real young brother.  I love you a lot.  I will remember you forever.

         Sgt. Munoz tapped his hand on my shoulder:

        - I also love you a lot.  Remember to study well.  Well, you should get on the bus.  Bon voyage.

         I hugged him one more time then got in the bus.  It was already full of passengers.  The driver's aid let me sit at the end of the bus.  I emerged from behind the window to look at Sgt. Munoz.  He still stood next to the Jeep, waving his hand, smiling at his mouth.  For the first time I saw his smile, a very cool one having some mild, kind-hearted traits.  The bus left  the bus station.  I tried to turn my face back to look at him and screamed: “I love you”.  I still had enough time to see his mild smile one more time before the bus suddenly ran fast on the provincial road.  It began to rain.  The dark gray sky in the rain made me feel cold, a little sad.  I sat without move; then I opened the envelope.   He gave me 250 red dollars.  It was a little too much for a boy, like me, who did not know how to make money.  At that time it was in the middle of June, 1970.

       

         In Saigon I lived at Aunt Mười's house; I worked and continued my education.  The war still continued every day in my country.  Every day I read newspapers and paid attention to the up-to-date news.  The war news interrupted and fast from four strategic regions occupied most of the spaces on newspapers.  In the U.S., the movement of against-the-war controversy spread many states.  Pres. Nixon developed the plan “Vietnamizing the War” by arming the South Vietnam forces with many modern arms which helped them to fight more effectively in all battlefields so that the Americans could withdraw more their soldiers to go back to the state.  In my country, Pres. Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was reelected in the so-called “by-himself election” in October 3, 1971.   Pres. Thiệu was the person who decisively opposed communists with his policy the so-called “Four Nos” and his immortal quotation:  “Do not listen to what communists say, but watch carefully what communists do.”  He pleased the American government very much.  But, the wind of history changed its direction.  In February, 1972, Pres. Nixon visited China and met Mao Tse- Tung and Chou En-Lai. The historical handshake between Nixon and Mao which I understood later that it meant to isolate the U.S.S.R, to satisfy the aspiration of Americans who decisively opposed the war, and also to find a very good new market with more than a billion people of China; it was a fateful handshake preparing the forced death of the Republic of Vietnam.

        

         To increase the pressure on the Paris Peace Talk, the VC mobilized the second general attack.  Fighting operations devastatingly exploded in the Flame Summer of 72.  Đông Hà, Old Citadel of Quảng Trị, Dakto, Komtum, Bình Giã, Lộc Ninh, Bình Long, and many other localities in the first, second, and third military regions were terribly under fire by North Vietnamese Communists who madly attacked to expect a echoeing triumph.  But their intrigue was stopped by the unyielding fight of Vietnamese, American, and Allied combatants.  The battlefield of the Fourth Military Region was also boiled no less than others.  Day and night I was in anxious suspense and worried for Brother Phùng's safety.   But my worry could not be avoided.   In May 9, 1972, Brother Phùng sacrificed his life in the battlefield in Mộc Hóa.   Uncle Bảy let a family member to go up to Saigon to inform the bad news. I cried very loud!...  I wandered all over Saigon as someone who had no mind and soul for the whole day and night without thinking and eating any meal.

        

         While American soldiers shed their blood in battlefields, the American actress, Jane Fonda, who madly motivated the against-the-war movement came to Hà Nội in July 1972 without shame.  She wore a military helmet and visited North Vietnamese troopers' combat trenches.  Her action stabbing behind the back of soldiers caused the wrath of many Vietnamese, Americans hating communists.  Pres. Nixon suffered from the Watergate scandal after his close subordinates let someone come into the office of Democrat Party in Watergate Hotel to listen sneakily.  His prestige went down badly.  He was more worried to find a peaceful solution with North Vietnam in order to withdraw American military forces out of South Vietnam so that he could win back Americans' hearts.  In October 1972 Advisor Kissinger came to Saigon to request Pres. Thiệu to sign the Paris Accord.  At the beginning Pres. Thiệu vehemently opposed it because he thought it was unfavorable to the Republic of Vietnam.   But under the American pressure, threating to cut all military aids, he reluctantly accepted.  The Paris Accord was officially signed in January 27, 1973.

        

         In March 29, 1973, the last American soldiers left Vietnam, terminating all American military interferences.  Since then, the military foces of the Republic of Vietnam solely fought against North Vietnamese communists who were stronger day by day owing to the maximum aids of Soviet and Chinese communists.  In the whole period from April 1973 to April 1975 the VC violated the Paris Accord, shamelessly continued its mobilization for the war, launching general attacks all over the territories of South Vietnam.  The Pres. Thiệu's government tried hard to manage, resisting enemies in a difficult, desperate situation because the American Congress approved a resolution to cut many sources of aid.   Phước Long Province was occupied by the VC in the beginning of January 1975.  Next, Ban Mê Thuột City was lost in March 16, 1975, leading to the event the so-called “strategic withdrawal” in chaos and terror, consequently leading to the losses of the first and second strategic regions.   Then many provinces belonged to the third region were also fell into the enemy's hands.

       

         In April 21, 1975, the VC advanced their troops to Biên Hòa.   Pres. Thiệu resigned and passed his powers to new Pres. Trần Văn Hương.   Some days later, there was a rumor that Mr. Thiệu left Vietnam with 16 tons of gold.   Many years later in the U.S., through reading documents on some websites I knew that he left Vietnam with the position as the special envoy of the Republic of Vietnam to Taipei to pay his last respects to the late Pres. Tưởng Giới Thạch.   Pres. Thiệu had a frugal life in exile, not having any gold ton.  In April 28, 1975, the VC approached Saigon.  Pres. Trần Văn Hương passed his powers to Gen. Dương Văn Minh.  While most of South Vietnam military forces around Saigon still held their guns tightly, preparing to resist decively against the VC, many commanding generals and colonels deserted, ran away to foreign countries.  The loss of our country had to happen.  In the morning of April 30, 1975, the VC's tanks entered the Independence Palace which was the power symbol of two republic dynasties.  Pres. Dương Văn Minh was in the broadcasting station declared the surrender without condition.  The government of the Republic of Vietnam officially fell.  The Vietnam War ended in sobbing and choking of millions soldiers and people of South Vietnam. ( * )

       

         In last days of the war at the end of April still many soldiers sacrifices their lives to the protection ideal of free South Vietnam.  In April 23, 1975, Hỷ, 17 years of age, my next younger brother, who was a voluntary soldier of the special task force troops lost his life in a combat against the VC in Gò Dầu.   When a special task force trooper who informed the bad news left, I came in the quiet room, silently sitting in remembrance of my younger brother who was mild, but courageous.  I did not realize when my tears fell down.  In this consciousness war-between just freedom, humanity and senselessness, dictatorship, cruelty, bloodthirstyness-so many times I had to mourn for beloved relatives who deeply lay their corpses under the cold ground!

         

         After April 1975, when the  more Vietnamese communists totally controlled the domination of my country, the more they revealed their cunning, dishonest and cruel, inhumane faces while robbing the properties of South Vietnamese people, forcing hundred thousands of military officers and many artists, monks to brain-wash concentration camps without knowing when they could be back home, and oppressing the whole regular people from North to South to live in poverty and hardship so that they could build their illusive communist heaven.  Millions of children were out of school.  The hunger and thirst made the stealing, robbery, prostitution spread all over the country.  The society was disintegrated.  To live agonizingly in the communist society, people had to practice to lie, to be dishonest and deceptive to the authorities, even to other fellowmen; they had to tread on each other for living.  Vietnamese communists united the country but not the people's heart.   Some millions of people gradually fled from the country by means of seas, roads in hope of finding a new way of life having the light of freedom, democracy,the right to be a human being.  At the end of 1980, following the steps seeking freedom of previous people, fearlessly and alone I crossed over the borderline.  Fortunately, God blessed me and the U.S.A. did welcome me as of in the middle year of 1982; since then I have had a peaceful life.

…..

        

         This afternoon, I visited the Vietnamese-American Memorial Monument on All Merican Way in the municipal area of Westminster City, Orange County, CA.  The temperature in mid-fall was cool, comfortable.  It was drizzling to augment my lightly remembrance while looking at two American and Vietnamese soldiers standing next to each other in the middle of the monument.  Skillful sculptural lines enhanced the solemnity, majesty, boldness in two soldiers' statures and faces.  I bowed for a long time before two soldiers' statues; then I looked at two Vietnamese and American national flags which were flying in the wind and felt as if there was the voice of grandiose marching hymn.  I remembered my kin brothers and sisters who lost in the war.  Then I thought of Lt. Bonny, Sgt. John, Sgt. Munoz, Lt. Calvin, and Peter, Henry, Danny, Andy, and Jim who American soldiers granting their special loves to me when I was in my youth at Bến Sỏi camp.  I asked myself:  “What are they doing now?  Where are they?”

         

         Again I bowed for a long time before the monument in commisation with all Vietnamese and Americans combatants who sacrificed their lives for freedom.  There were 58.209 American soldiers died in battles, 2000 American missed in actions, and 220.000 soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam “sacrificed their lives for their country” ( * ).   Even though the end of the war was the defeat of South Vietnam, but their sacrifice was not senseless.  Owing to their valiant combats and sacrifices since the Vietnam War, finally the system of international communism collapsed.  The U.S.S.R disintegrated.  Easthern European communist countries changed to liberalism and democracy in the past 20 years.  Not very long, the party dictatorship of Vietnam will be terminated because the movement struggling for freedom, democracy, human rights of the Vietnamese people inland and abroad is spreading day by day; it will become an invincible power that no inhumane force can resist.  The disingretation of the Communist Vietnam is an inevitable consequence which will happen.

         Oh my Vietnamese and American heroes!  You will be final victors!  Glory will belong to you!

         After a long bow one more time, I walked slowly to my car in equanimity.  The autumnal wind flew in cool series.  Flowers in yellow, red, purple colors which bloomed on the sidewalks quivered  and quivered in the wind as if they were happily to send my steps off.   The dusk slowly came down.  The city was already lit.

 

In memoir of 30 years since I fled my country:  1980-2010

 

huyenchuongquy@yahoo.com

 

( * )  References from Wikipedia Encyclopedia