Picture Courtesy John Sweet
This week saw yet another Veterans day pass with the observance by most nations of those brave men and women who have served their countries with honor and in some cases made the most noble of sacrifices by giving their lives for their countries.
Everyone knows that Thailand played a role in the American war with Vietnam but most have only seen that role as one of R&R provided for American Military away from the front lines. Others may know that Thailand filled a much more needed role to the American military.
Today I received an E-mail from John Sweet about a site I might be interested in because it deals with the history of Nakhon Phanom and some of those brave individuals I mentioned before. The link he sent me was to Nakhon Phanom During the Secret War 1962-1975 which tells the story much better than I ever could.
I had known that the American military ran operations out of North East Thailand but I didn’t know to what extent. John’s web site is filled with information and pictures concerning Nakhon Phanom’s role in the war and I would think he would know exactly what he is talking about since he served there between 1969-1970.
You will also find a link from John’s site to The Thailand-Laos-Cambodia Brotherhood which John and almost 500 other servicemen are a part of. This brotherhood provides humanitarian assistance throughout Issan and Laos. This says so much about the honor and integrity of those who have served and continue to give of themselves.
John, Thank you for sharing your site and for the service you and all the other American servicemen and women have given to your country, and continue to give though humanitarian efforts.
John Sweet
TUOC – 1987th Comm NKP 69-70
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Ah yes. The ‘secret war’ that left so much damage in its wake. I remember reading about the extensive bombing, resulting in loss of life for the ordinary people of Laos.
Legaciesofwar.org: From 1964 to 1973, the U.S. dropped more than two million tons of ordnance over Laos during 580,000 bombing missions – equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years.
About 260 million cluster bomblets fell over Laos with close to 53 million bomblets dropped within one kilometer of villages. Up to 30% of the bomblets did not detonate on impact, leaving as many as 86 million unexploded cluster bomblets buried in fields, roads, forests, rivers and villages.
I’m glad to hear that the servicemen involved have formed a group to benefit the Lao people.
Catherine´s last blog ..Sesame Street Turns 40
Cat,
While it is true that bad things happened all during the Vietnam war they happened on all sides. Thailand continues to lose people and elephants to Laos land mines as well.
This post wasn’t meant to dredge up old wounds but to remember those that did their duty. A great deal of these men and women were drafted into the Vietnam war and gave their lives.
They didn’t order bombings and they didn’t call the shots, they did their duty. And many like John have come back to these areas to give again…the only difference is the fact that this time they weren’t ordered to do so.
Talen, Don’t take me wrong. I think it’s commendable that you are honouring the American servicemen who followed orders way back when.
But my heart hurts for the Laotian people struggling with the results of that war. The bombing was just too horrific to ignore.
Catherine´s last blog ..Sesame Street Turns 40
Cat,
I understand what you are saying but such is the nature of all wars. Man has found a way to be horrific throughout time and yet we still don’t learn.
I think its right to honour your servicemen as we in the UK do however perhaps like me you sometimes are at your wits end when it comes to the political actions that cause such dreadful loss of life.
I just hope that some of our current “combatants” in this little corner of SE Asia remember what happened in Loas Cambodia and Vietnam, when politicians start to play God, before they start another armed conflict.
Mike´s last blog ..Road Safety in Thailand
Mike, One can only hope that the current situations in SE Asia settle down with not more than a few shouting matches…unfortunately man has never learned from previous wars the only lesson ever taken away is by the people left devastated by them.
Thailand still plays a important role in the game of cat and mouse between world powers
udon thani and issan must have really been a iinteresting place to have been based in the conflict
i would like to send my respects to all those family’s that lost members in all wars
we human.s are a destructive race but also creativeich side of us will prevail over time
john´s last blog ..best burger in udon thani issan thailand
I think your post is a smashing tribute to those who fought in the secret operations in the Vietnam war. Unfortunately innocent lives are lost in all wars and sometimes for years after but I feel it’s right to honour the brave servicemen who served your country.
Picking up on Mike’s point about the current situation in SE Asia, I hope you are both right with your hopes and things settle down. Thailand and Cambodia too, don’t need an armed conflict at any time let alone right now.
Martyn´s last blog ..Thai Bar Girls – Food, Phones and Thumbs
“Thailand and Cambodia too, don’t need an armed conflict at any time let alone right now.”
Amen brother…Amen