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LewWaters · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:27 am Post subject: Another Side of Viet Nam

And one that the likes of Hanoi Jane and sKerry don't want known or could ever admit was there all long.

The article is the featured article in the latest edition of Vietnam Magazine, a magazine by and for Viet Nam Veterans. I've suscribed to it from the start and appreciate there are no exaggerated exploits allowed.

The article is quite long but well worth the read. Although only discussing a handful of men it alone dispells the notion of what a bunch of savages we were while we were there.

Another Side of Vietnam: An Army Chaplain Wins Hearts and Minds

Like their fathers in World War II, the American GIs in Vietnam went out of their way to help the victims of the war.

By CHAPLAIN (LT. COL.) PAUL N. MITCHELL, U.S. ARMY (RET.)

Soon after noon chow on a June afternoon in 1967, a small convoy began forming outside the 41st Signal Battalion (Combat Area) headquarters in Qui Nhon, Vietnam. This voluntary civic action operation consisted of a few officers and 75 enlisted men riding in a couple of deuce-and-a-half trucks. The convoy moved out through Qui Nhon toward the isolated village of Phu Cat.

Another Side of Viet Nam: More
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Clark County Conservative

Beatrice1000 · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:34 am Post subject:

Lew - Thank you so much for posting this story -- I can understand all the questions at the end, all the wondering .. after such an investment of time and care and love to those people and also the soldier's personal funds (for no reason other than that the people were in need and were suffering) and then not to know what happened to them... as I read it, I was reminded of so many stories I've read about our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq doing the same thing, adopting schools and towns and orphanages, giving of their own funds, reaching out to folks back home to send things, fixing up broken things and building new things that improve people's lives -- and that's in their "free time" when they are not being hunted and waging war.

Not much has changed from Vietnam to now with regards to the fine character of our military -- I watched a video recently of our soldiers having Christmas in Afghanistan and the children shyly coming up to the Santa Claus - they had learned two new words that they each said to Santa, "Merry Christmas," and they were so excited and overwhelmed -- and our soldiers were having a ball! It's just the inherent generous nature of the Americans - our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers --

People yelled My Lai then, and they scream Abu Ghraib now -- pulling out a few rogue stories and bypassing ones like this. People need to know -- they need to read this story. And then they need to read some more.

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shawa · CNO Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 2004

What wonderful story, Lew! Thanks for sharing it with us.

I agree with Beatrice. To show such love and caring for a suffering people
while they themselves are putting their lives on the line, defines the tremendous character of our troops.

God bless all our fine soldiers, past and present!!
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“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” (Thomas Paine, 1776)

LewWaters · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 8:28 am Post subject:

While in Viet Nam, at Lane Army Heliport, An Son (fairly near Qui Nhon), a group of G.I.s started construction of a Stone Chapel at the top of a hill there. Subsequent G.I.s stationed there continued that project. It was pretty well completed before I left and a nice job, I feel.

I have long since wondered what ever became of it too. Recently, one of the guys I served with, traveled back to Viet Nam and visited that site. Sad to say, the chapel was completely torn down and destroyed, only a bit of outside wall left standing.

One would think they could have found some use for a building like that.
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Clark County Conservative

DougReese · Former Member Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 396

LewWaters · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject:

Doug, since you have been there and have some answers to the questions, I feel it would be nice if you forwarded them on to Vietnam Magazine. I'm sure they would be published to reach readers who are also asking and haven't the means to find out.
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Clark County Conservative

Essayons · Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject:

Lew,

That was a great article. Similar, but not to the scale of the Chaplain's story, happened when I was with he 15th Engineers. I had not thought about the MEDCAPs (Medical Civil Action Program - I believe that was what they were called by the 9th ID) for a long time.

Usually a doctor and some medics were the core and we would bring along building material when needed to the Catholic orphanage. The kids would go nuts when we arrived since they knew we brought lots of candy, gum and sometimes small gifts.

Again, thanks for the good memories the story brought back.

Regards,
Dick
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Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.