Detail included. In the early morning hours of 31 January 1968, a division-sized force of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) soldiers launched a well coordinated multi-pronged attack on the city of Hué. The NVA and VC massascred 25,000 residents. The people of Hué turned their backs on the Communists as did people in other parts of Vietnam during the Tet offensive, and the ensuing 26-day effort by the U.S. Marines, U.S. Army and ARVN to recapture the Citadel produced a stunning military defeat for the invaders. We lost 142 of our own. VC/NVA killed in action 5,113. Although the communists suffered an overwhelming defeat they won a psychological victory and this became the turning point of the war. The American public's support of the war turned and this was the beginning and end for the Vietnam conflict. You can read more about Nam and my unit in particular here... http://oliverartworks.com/musings10.html ... Memorial Day means more to me than any other holiday. It is a very bittersweet time for myself and other veterans and the families that lost loved ones. It is a time for reflection and respect. Not just barbeques and partying regardless of your political views. Afterall, veterans are of every political persuasion, ethnic origin, race, religion, and economic class and environment.
5 Comments
Jerry 27 May 2007
Great contrast, cappture and story!jamie winter 26 May 2007
you have my faithGabrielle Stahlie 25 May 2007
Very good and impressive...Richard Delay Sirs 25 May 2007
I salute you my friend....Carliss Mora 25 May 2007
Bless you, Charles! These are phenomenal works of art. My brother, (Chuck) was there in Viet Nam, and he was, in a great way, fortunate to get back home