April 5 2315 Vietnam Time Dong Ha

It seems that every ounce of remaining energy is being mustered to create this post. I'm finally in Dong Ha, just a short distance from Nhi Ha battle site. It was May 1968 that my infantry unit, 3/21 Infantry, 196th light Infantry, fought a grueling 14-day battle with the largest North Vietnamese force ever assembled for a battle during the entire war. Tomorrow I will once again stand on that once blood-soaked ground. But, that is to be dealt with then. Most important right now is to bring you up to speed on the events of the last two days.

I'll start with today, which mostly involved transport from Hue to Dong Ha via the van used by "locals". I was met at the bus station by Nhung, who is employed by D.O.V.E. Fund here at Dong Ha.
While I grabbed a taxi to the hotel, she motored over on her bike. We talked of Nhi Ha plans for tomorrow. That being set, Nhung was kind enough to arrange transport to the mountainous area near the Dakrong Bridge, which was a part of the Hi Chi Minh Trail during the war. Most time in that locale was spent visiting a minority village, which was very interesting. The dwellings are like nothing I've seen elsewhere in Vietnam. The children, sensing a potential candy donor, flowed from the dwellings in their "Sunday best".  Having always been armed one way or another in Vietnam, I pulled a couple bags of candy from my daypack and initiated the smile-producing process. Cutest little kids.  '68 wasn't so friendly or rewarding up this way. Anyway, I'm now back at the hotel and really, really winding down.

In a nutshell, yesterday was just plain amazing. With the 10 pigs and 300 ducks delivered to a central location in the village, Khanh and I arrived to find the local official already on site. All the the duck and pig recipients, or the folks assisting in transporting the critters, were eagerly waiting. Following the local official's speech about Hearts for Hue and our sponsorship of the endeavor, it was my turn to talk. Then distribution began.  It was great. I individually presented each pig and group of ducks to the recipients. A large (80 cm) pan (for water), purchased en route to the location, was also included with each group of ducks...idea from Thua's place.  The critters were transported to their new homes via small motorbikes or ob foot. A huge banner, produced by Khanh, added a nice touch to the event. This was so amazing....priceless. When distribution as complete, we visited a kindergarten across the path. They had never had a foreign visitor before, so I was a real hit. Always wearing my 196th hat and /or shirt, I ended up playing soccer, teeter-tottering, and playing around with the kids. So much fun...

Then it was off to visit Thuong, the hand with stubs for hands. He is positively amazing, In one day, the progress on the pigpen that we funded was hard to believe. His new little piggy was settling into his new home. Thuong's wife was busy shredding banana trees for use as pig food. They're a hard-working family, that's for sure. The water pump/line that we funded last year is performing just fine and making watering the critters not such a difficult task.

Then we went to another kindergarten so that Khanh could check out an upcoming fence project. A group of Singapore students will build a security fence at the school this fall. Anyway, we ended up going to a little spot for lunch with the principle, school nurse, and other school employees.
Those folks sure know how to enjoy lunch! 

I could go on and on about yesterday, but am wiped out. Plus, just being near Nhi Ha drains my being...heavy place for this old grunt and his 196th brothers.  I will likely expand upon the events of yesterday when I've settled down and am somewhat recharged.

Tomorrow is Nhi Ha, where my unit lost many men. Departure from Dong Ha is at 0800 via car. In May '68 we "humped" the distance....casualty after casualty. Hope I'll be back tomorrow night. Along with the obvious rewarding experience, your support, interest, and expectations fuel my drive....

Neil

Thuong & Neil-New Pig Pen

Thuong's Wife Shredding Banana Trees

Neil & Thuong with Water Pump

Neil & Thuong's Wife

Neil w/Thuong and Son

Pig & Duck Delivery Banner

Neil, Khanh, Village Offcial with Duck Recipients

This Little Piggy Went Home...

Neil- Pre-Distribution Talk

Little Quackers

Neil, Khanh, Village Official with Pg Recipients

Neil at Kindergarten

Candy for Kindergarten Kids

Rocking at Kindergarten

Playing with Kindergarten Kids

Playing with Kindergarten Kids

Pig Transport

Dakrong Bridge/Ho Chi Minh Trail

Mountain Village

Soccer with Kindergarten Kids