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We must stand by our former allies in Vietnam. More here: >>> http://vietnamveterannews.com/873-montagnards-still-under-the-gun-in-vietnam/
Apr 05, 2017 01:19 PM
Reply to this commentThis article is hitting home with me. In the early 60s; largely of Pres. Kennedy’s inauguration speech ‘Ask Not’; for those who aren’t aware of this - it was a call around the world; my mother just graduated and she volunteered for a teaching job in small hamlet – far from her hometown. My father was a young Lieutenant and he, too, volunteered to a remote Montagnard outpost. He is to protect the people, their welfare, and to halt the communist from trading and harassing of these indigenous people. This counter defense is called; not sure if I can translate the exact meaning; but it’s something like ‘Village Defending Fence’. This was one of Pres. Ngo Dinh Diem defensive initiatives.
Basically, each village now have a fence; most are terribly unaesthetic (Fact Check: Google it if you like – think I’m lying…lol!); to keep the villagers safe from various animals at night and the communist infiltrators from coming around/into the village. Also, the troops keep tab/monitor the villagers as they are leaving or coming. This was view as ‘too much control and power’ by the western government; i.e. USA. Hence, years later this got the Diem brothers in the CIA crosshair! Now, we all know how that was turned out! However, this method resoundingly works!!! My father said the communists were actually starving for they couldn’t trade with the villagers or steal from them.
These indigenous people fought on our sides; hence; the communist dislike them. The Montagnards don’t deserve any maltreatment from anyone – especially from the stinky Thai. The Montagnards are strong, independent, and loyal people. They were doing fine 4K years ago and they will still be - if the ‘world’ would only leave them alone!
My father still loves these people to this day. Although their customs are strange, but they are the most honest and goodness people that he had ever served. He told me there isn’t a week goes by that some lil ole parents not wanting to propose their daughter marriage to him – of course; most of them are around 13-15 yrs of age! Hmm, not sure if dad ever was a ladies killer – but, I’m glad he kindly declined them! Otherwise, I’ll be part of this story!
Many years later; once in the blue moon; I would be in my dad’s office - not a Lieutenant anymore, and it walls were adorned with many artifacts from the Montagnards. The most unique thing was a printed poster that has no vowel for the Montagnard has no vowel in their ‘alphabet’…at least not this particular group.
Apr 03, 2017 05:26 PM
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Mr. Payne, thank you for sharing and with utmost respect I Am grateful of your service.
Wrm Rgrds,
Apr 06, 2017 04:02 PM
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