Nha Trang, Vietnam – Rod Kjersonten returned to Vietnam for the first time since he was a Nurse in the US Air Force Hospital in Cam Ranh Bay. Now 77, he remembers the proper date of his departure – May 28, 1970. He served at the hospital for two years where he treated the injured American soldiers and saw many dead. He said while he was initially “Gung-Ho” about US and South Vietnamese war efforts, he became “neutral.” Asked why, he said it was after looking at Ku Chi tunnels on this trip. These are some of the tunnel used by North Vietnamese and Viet Co soldiers to hide and “pop up” to shoot Americans.
There is a museum that takes a charge of claims so that one can not only see tunnels, but a film of propaganda showing camouflaged traps. Kjerste said, especially after the tour of the Palacio Palace, “suddenly beat me that the purpose of two parts is to unite Vietnam.” Yes, but for different reasons.
I see an example of different factors to the Palace Palace in Ho Chi Minh City (past Saigon). A woman leads about 20 children, all wearing red, on a US war aircraft shot and placed on the display in the next North Vietnamese tank. He appears to indoctrinate it with the Government version of the war and how the US enemy is.
There is a different scene a few miles in the road, competing for the hearts and minds of Vietnam children. Within the Church of the Church of Phano Thiet Evangelical Church where the children of the Bible’s Bible holidays sing praises to God. Religious freedom should guarantee Vietnamatic constitution, but it is limited to most churches registered with the government. According to Watch Status Status: “Vietnam systematically suppresses basic civil and political rights. The government, under the dictatorial one-party rule of the Communist Party of Vietnam, severely restricts the rights to freedom of expression, movement, and religion.”
In major cities, Vietnam appeared to be developing. Motorcycles are progressing streets such as invasion of locusts. The stores brings brands familiar with Americans (at a much lower price because so much made here with cheap labor). But if one leaves the big cities, many streets are targeted at clear shops that are worthless with some or no customers. The trash can defile these streets and graffiti the structures. I haven’t seen a lot of smiling faces of the week I spent here. Like the US, hotels here are flying flags in many countries, with an exception. Understand.
Signs celebrate Vietnam unification. In April there is a large military parade in celebration of the day.
Many things have contributed to the fall in South Vietnam. It includes the refusal support for the home war, corruption of the South Vietnam government, the lack of military officers in the development of the North North North and expelled Americans. A growing opposition to the war media was added to the decrease in Morale among the US forces staying in Vietnam until the end. A general cynicism outlined, especially for young people, in American institutions, politicians and country themselves. Some returned veterans spit.
Vietnam will continue to debate many years of historians, Vietnam veterans who serve respectfully and relatives of 59,000 Americans die. It should be a warning that American values cannot be imposed on people who do not share them with enough numbers. Obviously, we do not know that the lesson.
North Vietnam won the war, but freedom for Vietnamese people is a casualty.
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