http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/01/research-not-rambo/ A veteran, his daughter, their journey Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:52:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/01/research-not-rambo/#comment-14 Doc Bernie Duff Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:13:54 +0000 http://vietnam.lohudcrime.com/2007/11/01/research-not-rambo/#comment-14 Like most other Vietnam Veterans, I also read many of the same books you've mentioned. I'm sure that they have also stated that Rambo, Chuck Norris and films that made walking into that war and out again in one victorious swoop ridiculous, as well as insulting. The one thing that I think about over and over again when applying memories to canvass is that in war, there are never winners, only losers who failed to work out a disagreement. Today, as I walk among the people of Vietnam, I am struck by the happiness that appears in each face I see. In 1969, when I was a 19 year old medic, I saw smiling children, but eyes that looked old and sad...or just empty. As you travel across this ancient land, try looking at more than the beauty of the landscape and the lure of ancient temples and pagodas. Look instead at the faces and the eyes that seek to see within your soul. So many tourists come to Vietnam from around the world seeking only a past that is riddled by war and bullets. Many look down at the simplicity of the people and fail to see a complex culture with family values that most other countries merely talk about having. Forget about the government that is Communist, because most people that I know could care less who is leading and more about the fact that they are not at war for the first time in thousands of years. We never discuss politics because there are more important issues at hand and one of them is looking into one another's soul and building a bridge. It is time for Rambo to finally lay down his weapon of war and declare peace within his lifetime. After all, we have much to gain by embracing old enemies and learning that there are no monsters, at least not in Vietnam. Enjoy your stay and give your dad (and all the dads among your group--my brothers) a big hug. Peace...it's a wonderful concept! Like most other Vietnam Veterans, I also read many of the same books you’ve mentioned. I’m sure that they have also stated that Rambo, Chuck Norris and films that made walking into that war and out again in one victorious swoop ridiculous, as well as insulting. The one thing that I think about over and over again when applying memories to canvass is that in war, there are never winners, only losers who failed to work out a disagreement. Today, as I walk among the people of Vietnam, I am struck by the happiness that appears in each face I see. In 1969, when I was a 19 year old medic, I saw smiling children, but eyes that looked old and sad…or just empty. As you travel across this ancient land, try looking at more than the beauty of the landscape and the lure of ancient temples and pagodas. Look instead at the faces and the eyes that seek to see within your soul. So many tourists come to Vietnam from around the world seeking only a past that is riddled by war and bullets. Many look down at the simplicity of the people and fail to see a complex culture with family values that most other countries merely talk about having. Forget about the government that is Communist, because most people that I know could care less who is leading and more about the fact that they are not at war for the first time in thousands of years. We never discuss politics because there are more important issues at hand and one of them is looking into one another’s soul and building a bridge. It is time for Rambo to finally lay down his weapon of war and declare peace within his lifetime. After all, we have much to gain by embracing old enemies and learning that there are no monsters, at least not in Vietnam. Enjoy your stay and give your dad (and all the dads among your group—my brothers) a big hug. Peace…it’s a wonderful concept!

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