The first question one might ask is, "Why did he create this site?" True, Vietnam has little to do with what I teach. Yet it has much to do with who I am. I write for a number of reasons.

The first is admitedly selfish. The events catalogued herein happened in 1968-1969. Over the intervening years memories have begun to fade and merge. I realize that if I do not soon commit them to page I will lose them.

Secondly I write for my partner and for our daughter, Sara, who has always enjoyed a good story...even one of her dads.

Finally, I write for you, the reader. History is recorded by those who experience it. Each of us, through the lens of our own eyes sees it differently. Here is a chance to see it through my eyes. I have frequently been asked to lecture on Viet Nam in classes at UNE. This is a way that I can preserve parts of those lectures for you who choose to view them.

I'd like first set the record straight regarding my role in Viet Nam. In the parlance of the day I was a REMF. This is not a flattering title, rather it was a name given to military personnel who did not have to meet the enemy eyeball to eyeball. Did I have frightening moments? Yup. Did I ever come close to injury or death, yup again. But I cannot claim membership in that special group of men who's role it was to carry the war to the enemy.

The true heores of that war, any war were the men who fate ordained to meet the folks from the other side face to face. It was they who fought, suffered and died. To really understand war, you need to read their stories not mine. See bibliography

There were another set of heroes that I need to honor. Those were the docs and nurses who took care of the first group. I have often felt they saw more of the horror of war than any of the rest of us.
See bibliography