Monday, March 19, 2012

My Lai 44th commemorated

44th My Lai massacre commemorated

March 19, 2012

LookAtVietnam – On the morning of March 16, hundreds of Vietnamese and international friends commemorated 504 civilians in the My Lai massacre in March 1968.

American veteran Roy Mike Boehm stands on the foot of the Son My monument
to play violin, as he has done for the last 14 years.

After the bell to pray for the souls of victims, American veteran Roy Mike Boehm stood on the foot of the Son My monument to play violin, as he has done for the last 14 years.
Long lines of people offered flowers and burned incenses at the Son My monument. As usual, American veteran Bille Kelly still brought 504 red roses and the message for a peaceful world to Son My.
Heading the delegation of the Korean Organization for International Cooperation (KOICA), Mr. Lee Dong Hyun, said: “We sympathize with your loss. Commemorating the My Lai massacre, we are more penetrated with pain, more responsible and further respect our peaceful life today.”
On this occasion, South Korean’s TV station SBS produces a documentary about the 44th My Lai massacre anniversary and the powerful vitality in My Son.
Every March, many American veterans and representatives of peace loving organizations in the world come to Vietnam, to My Lai, to quietly participate in charity activities in a bid to heal wounds of war as their apology.
After the anniversary, American veteran Mike Boehm, the founder of Madison Quakers non-governmental organization , presented 30 scholarships worth VND1 million ($50) each to poor students from the Tinh Khe Primary School in Son Tinh commune.
The My Lai Massacre was the Vietnam War mass murder of 504 unarmed civilians in South Vietnam on March 16, 1968, by United States Army soldiers of “Charlie” Company of 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Brigade of the America Division. Most of the victims were women, children, and elderly people.

American veteran Billy Kelly puts a card with the message for a peaceful world in his rose basket.

While 26 US soldiers were initially charged with criminal offenses for their actions at My Lai, only Second Lieutenant William Calley, a platoon leader in Charlie Company, was convicted. Found guilty of killing 22 villagers, he was originally given a life sentence, but only served three and a half years under house arrest.
The massacre took place in the hamlets of My Lai and My Khe of Son My village. The event is also known as the Son My massacre.
When the incident became public knowledge in 1969, it prompted widespread outrage around the world. The massacre also increased domestic opposition to the US involvement in the Vietnam War.
Phuong Lan

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.