ARmy Rumour SErvice

As I write this there is a huge and I mean humongous firework display taking place from Danang beach and being broadcast live on Vn TV. Countries represented there are Vietnam, USA, Australia, Korea, Russia, China and several others.This is not a victory celebration as such, but a commemoration and some of the music accompanying the displays is very sad and thought provoking.

In memory of all who were killed during that terrible war.

I visited the memorial in 84, before the statue had been erected, it is a very restrained and dignified edifice, I intend no offence when I say I found it to be un-American in that respect. Also the people there were quiet and thoughtful.

There was at least one Union Jack in the ground before it. Also an MIA stand with some veterans who I chatted with for a while.

Rick Rescorla was mentioned in the book of the battle of La Drang, but airbrushed out of the film, I don't think Mr Gibson likes the Brits much.

I'm glad I visited it.

Originally Posted by Chef

I visited the memorial in 84, before the statue had been erected, it is a very restrained and dignified edifice, I intend no offence when I say I found it to be un-American in that respect. Also the people there were quiet and thoughtful.

There was at least one Union Jack in the ground before it. Also an MIA stand with some veterans who I chatted with for a while.

Rick Rescorla was mentioned in the book of the battle of La Drang, but airbrushed out of the film, I don't think Mr Gibson likes the Brits much.

I'm glad I visited it.

That is why I will not see the film since as anyone reading the book will see how pivotal a role then 1stLt Rescorla played in the Ia Drang fight. I do not think it hyperbole to suggest that battle could well have ended in a crushing defeat were it not for his presence of mind and courage to run full speed through heavy fire to provide critical leadership to the rear of the column that was effectively cut in half by the ambush.

IMHO he deserved at least the DSC.

Each time I that I have been in Washington D.C. I have ensured that I have visited the Vietnam Memorial - it is quite simply a truly humbling piece of public sculpture which honours the dead and comforts the living. For me, at least, the symbology of the three soldiers emerging, as if from a jungle clearing, and encountering the memorial is deeply moving.

This probably belongs on another thread but in answer to the questions about Brits in Vietnam, I had a sergeant who was English.

I also served with a Marine officer who was a Scot--first name Alistair. He later fell on his sword so to speak by posing nude for Playgirl magazine along with other members of the USMC rugby team. He also got involved with a deployed enlisted Marine's wife and was cashiered from the Corps. Too bad since he was a great combat recon officer.

Visited the memorial in 1988 - I thought it exactly the right design. People tracing their lost ones' names with their fingers - that was immensely moving. Name, after name, after name.

Originally Posted by Tawahi-50

Indeed.

By coincidence a friend and former neighbour of ours (in UK) is a Chinese lady who was a lifelong friend of Linn's mother. If memory serves me, they were classmates at Smith College (somewhere I'm certain you'll be familiar with)

After we had spoken to our friend after visiting the wall, she mentioned two things that have stuck in memory.

One was that Linn's tutor had tried to persuade her not to enter the competition saying that her design lacked merit and therefore little chance of winning (despite him having entered the competion himself). Fortunately she persevered and submitted.

Secondly, that Linn is extremely modest about her achievement, preferring to be judged by the overall quality of her work rather than a one-off.

Of course there maybe an element of family legend in the above but I prefer to believe that its true.

I think she was a very unassuming younng woman. I met her briefly twice in the early 80's. Once were were next to each other in line at a camera store waiting to pick up photos. She looked and dressed like any other young univ student and I had no idea who she was until she had to tell the clerk her name. Another time I was standing in front of the Harvard Sq. fire station talking to a firefighter friend and she stopped to ask us directions.

Smith College is an excellent women's college in Massachusetts. Her dad was a dean at a university in the midwest. She comes by here brains honestly.

From the Vietnam Memorial there is a clear view past Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetary. The father of a friend was a two star killed in 1970. The first time I visited the Vietnam Memorial I found his name and looked across to Arlington where he is buried. I then was moved to walk the 2-3 miles across to Arlington to visit his grave, up on a hill not far from President Kennedy. The memorial is very powerful in its emotional impact to any who visit.

Originally Posted by jumpinjarhead

The gallant Rescorla died in the 9/11 attack in NYC saving people of the company he was head of security for. Since he did not die in Vietnam he would not be on the wall.

Sorry, my post was badly written. I know Rescorla isn't on the Wall, what I meant was other Brits like him fighting for the US in VN,

I went to the Wall in 1990, and chatting to one of the Vets there he said that there were a number of Brits listed on the Wall as fallen in VN. Sadly I can't remember how many he said.