On our first patrol along the Mekong River, we diverted up one of the deltas. When we came to a small village of people, our Sgt. ordered us to search the huts and confiscate any weapons we found. We were also to look for booby traps and check for trapdoors in the ground (flooring).
After we had finished searching everything and everyone, we were given a 5-minute smoke break while the Lt. and Sgt. spoke to one another. I didn’t smoke, so I was on guard watching for the usual. As I surveyed the people who were kind of just standing around watching us watch them, I saw a lot of children, but no toys. I thought to myself, “I wonder what these kids do all day?” As I looked at the people, their faces had a look of hopelessness and distraught.
I felt very sorry for all of them and even pitied them. I wanted to give them everything that I had, including the little bit of money that I had on me. I reached into my pack to see if I had anything they may be able to eat. All I had were some rations, no candy. My buddy, who later in the tour was shot, had a small bag of Lifesavers, the fruit kind. He took them out of his bag and gave them to the kids. The kids kind of smiled, but the grown-ups faces never changed expressions.
We found or saw very little food. Hardly any clothing and certainly nothing for the kids. As we walked away, I again found myself wondering, “What will become of these people? Will they live?”
After we had finished searching everything and everyone, we were given a 5-minute smoke break while the Lt. and Sgt. spoke to one another. I didn’t smoke, so I was on guard watching for the usual. As I surveyed the people who were kind of just standing around watching us watch them, I saw a lot of children, but no toys. I thought to myself, “I wonder what these kids do all day?” As I looked at the people, their faces had a look of hopelessness and distraught.
I felt very sorry for all of them and even pitied them. I wanted to give them everything that I had, including the little bit of money that I had on me. I reached into my pack to see if I had anything they may be able to eat. All I had were some rations, no candy. My buddy, who later in the tour was shot, had a small bag of Lifesavers, the fruit kind. He took them out of his bag and gave them to the kids. The kids kind of smiled, but the grown-ups faces never changed expressions.
We found or saw very little food. Hardly any clothing and certainly nothing for the kids. As we walked away, I again found myself wondering, “What will become of these people? Will they live?”
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