Fifty Years Since

Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of a day remembered in history - 29 April 1975.  This day and the next several that followed became the closing chapter of a book which had begun nearly twenty years earlier. The book was titled; "The Vietnam War." A book that had its prelude written in the early months of 1955, and the first chapter beginning on 1 November 1955. America was eventually written into the book, with her first chapter being opened on 8 March 1965.

What makes the final chapter of "The Vietnam War," so important that I (the writer) would revisit it?  Bear with me for just a few more lines, and I'll explain.  

In any book or story, whether, fictional, non-fictional, or historical, there are characters. Without characters there can be no story.  Also, in a story there are major characters and there are minor characters, with each having their own special role in the story.

Again, what does all of this have to do with me? 

History has recorded, 29 April 1975, as the beginning and end of the final chapter in the book, "The Vietnam War." On that date, I was just one month past my nineteenth birthday, a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps and had only been in service for one year and one month. I was one of thousands of minor characters in this new chapter. The subtitle: Operation Frequent Wind - The Fall of Saigon. 

On that day and the days that followed, I was awakened, and thou not physically, I was wounded. Emotional and spiritual wounds, crushing my heart and invading my mind. The anguish, the crying and the losses suffered, were overwhelming.   

What did fate hold for the old? Was the future bright for the young? Were the cries of the little ones quieted? A thousand stories of a thousand souls, unknown. However, the silent story of a silent one, is revealed.

Still today, fifty years since, in the recesses of my brain reside images, sounds and smells. At every opportunity they rise to force recollections. Yet here I sit looking at these old pictures, while a flood of emotions rush over me and I find myself caught between present and past. 

To read previously written material regarding this one episode in an unnumbered chapter of my own book, please go the "Reflections Page." There you will find, After Operations and Sound of Silence.