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Show 18B Page A THE HERALD. Prwo. Utah, Sunday, February 24, 1580 Staffer Remembers: Vietnam: Americans End Major Involvement in Decade of 70s Vietnamese More recently, in Cambodia. Vietnamese-le- d forces waged war and destruction against Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, with civilians in the deadly middle Malnutrition and weapons have killed many The word "refugee'' glares from newspapers worldwide. Headlines read: "Refugees starve to death on banks of Mekong River in Laos' "Refugees cut down in crossfire in "" """ V. t i t '7 "Refugees die of thirst in Vietnamese waters, other drown by " hundreds farther to sea" murdered "Refugees raped, by Thai pirates" A Philippine foreign minister alludes to the South China Sea and Gulf of "I still remember their Siam as Vietnam's Auschwitz and Buchenwald. faces especially their I have watched three Vietnam movies this year: "Coming Home." eyes." "Deer Hunter," "Apocalypse Now." I have tried to answer the question those who have seen the mcnes asked, but Many inquisitors. I think are not were not there: "What was it really satisfied with my answer and want one like?" more simplistic. "I don't know," I say. No singular person knows the VietI explain further: "I only know what nam experience completely knows I experienced, during my 12 months, in all that went on. The man in the a limited number of places and cir"trench" had his viewpoint below the cumstances, and viewing through my tree canopy. Generals hi war rooms, subjective eyes." moving game nieces on maps, had their s. Men even doing the same job in the same location were unique and saw the same things through the different optics of their own background and experience. " V HiiilfifTn "I can i till gee the terrified eyes of the wrinkled grandmother as soldiers search her village for Charlie." PCUS Central Utah By PATRICK CHRISTIAN Herald Staff Reporter One of the most important happenings of the decade of the 70s was the U.S. pulling out of Vietnam. In Vietnam 50,000 Americans died, 300,000 were wounded and the government spent Sill billion. In the decade of the '80s Southeast Asia will continue to make headlines, and many Vietnam veterans will con- tinue to need assistance. September 1979 was the 13th anniversary of my arrival in Saigon. Vietnam that far off spot now called Ho Chi Minn (Sty. I have not forgotten, nor could I, even if I wanted. I still remember their faces especially their eyes. Southeast Asia's warring is not over. It began much before we or the French spilled blood, and God only knows when it will end. It continues to affect Asians and the rest of the world involved in weapon supply, trying to neip victims or seeking political advantage. Years ago it was Americans against To Every Vet, - It's Different To the helicopter pilot from C Burlington, Iowa, who flew the last chopper into falling A Shan in 1984 and jsbo led 40 men through the jungle to rescue after his ship could not take off. Vietnam was one thing. To a special forces advirr from Los Angeles advising South Vietnamese troops in 1961 it was another. The war was different for the girl from Sacramento a USO volunteer in Vietnam's Central Highlands in 1965, or the intelligence officer in Saigon from Provo. Both were seldom, if ever, shot at. It was also different for the enemy, known by such names as Charlie. NVA (North Vietnam Army), gook. slope. Viet Cong. V C . commies and others Strange names for men. but sjch titles, perhaps, made it easier to kill them. "Coining Home." "Deer Hunter" and 'Apocalypse Now" have not told "the" Vietnam story. One movie. like one veteran, simply can't. When someone asks if the three movies are accurate. I cannot answer yes or no. first of all, 1 evaluate the movies with only my Vietnam experience, conversations with others or my reading. Vietnam Good Box OfHoe The movies are not primarily about the Vietnam War. They are mostly movies about bow men react to adversity and war any war. Vietnam makes than good at the box office. My experience in Vietnam was as an a communicator of Army journalist news for optimistic, numerous military publications read by U-troops. Civilians wrote pessimistic, cricial news. I landed in Saigon in September 1966 different from most of the men arriving. Most were younger between 18 and 20; I was 25 Most were unfamiliar with Asia or any culture except the youth culture of the '60s. I had lived three years in Hong Kong as a Mormon missionary. Most did not want to be mere. I had been drafted like most, but I had volunteered for Vietnam. Most were naive. So was L Four months I saw one side of the war, and for eight more months I saw another. I spent the four in Saigon. I had a bed. a mattress and worked in a clean office. I had a motorcycle and would ride to town. It was the Cinderella assignment many in the "trench" dreamed about. I was never shot at in Saigon and was only afraid a couple of times. One was the night Charlie launched mortars at our barracks. The close explosions made more than enough noise, and I quickly grabbed my mattress, rolled out of bed and pulled it on me for - protection. As I remember, no one was injured in the incident. The other time. I was exploring on my motorcycle across the Saigon river. I noticed I was formidably alone. For some probably n, Cmummid f 3 V w e Give You That 'Back Home' Feeling... Comfortable, Cozy, Refreshing. The finest furniture from the finest hotels in America can be yours at prices you never dreamed of. Can you imagine furnishing your bedroom with fine quality furniture for $197.00?? ItYtrue! And that's just the beginning. We have a variety to suit most any liking! Come in and browse around. Our values will treat your pocketbook tenderly, while our quality will last for years! For Good Quality At Better Prices 1TH A 241 West Center, Provo -- - m psgells 1 " I un- warranted, yet strange reason. I experienced deja vu. A chilling thought grabbed me: I was absolutely and quietly alone in a strange part of the unarmed and an easy target. I city rushed to get back into an area with traffic and people. Had I been there in a dream and something had happened? I do not know, but later under fire. I would not be as afraid. No Russian Roulette I never in those four months or subsequently heard reports of organized betting on Russian roulette games as depicted in the movie. "Deer Hunter." I think such games are an interesting and effective Hollywood fictionaliza-tiobut it's possibly based on an isolated incident I never heard of. My first four months were not all safe. I covered a few missions in the Mekong Delta, south of Saigon, and was under fire at least once. I accompanied a small Navy assault launch up the Mekong River to Chau Doc on the Vietnam-Cambodi- a border. ' |