Posted By Rick Smith on Mar 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

By Rick Smith
Photographs by Judy Conklin & Les Conklin

Introduction

It’s obvious from his smile that this Vietnames man is enjoying a special moment as he shares his musical talents with the Americans visiting his home. Photograph by Les Conklin.

Author Rick Smith is a musician who plays the guitar and sings. He also served as a journalist during the Vienames War and lived to write a book about it. In the article below, Rick writes about a very special moment that he  experienced while performing at the Carefree Gardens.

My wife Judy and I visited Vietnam in December 2018.  As our photographs show, much has changed in Vietnam since the Vietnames War ended.  Editor

Homecoming

I’m going to be honest!

“Thank you for your service,” has always rung a bit hollow to me when expressed by a person who learns I served in the U.S. Army.

Most of the time it feels obligatory in emotion — a conditioned comment, like a server saying “enjoy” after delivering your meal.

“Thank you for your service,” just hasn’t ever connected much with me.

But, to be honest again, I haven’t really dwelled upon it. In general, I’m actually happy people say “Thank you for your service” to those who serve in our all-volunteer military. I say it myself.

Then something happened. New, different words that touched my heart were spoken to me twice in six days. It was the second hearing of the comment that made me sense there’s something new in the wind in how people are thanking Vietnam veterans for their service.

“My husband’s brother was in Vietnam,” a lady told me after learning I’d served in Vietnam. She’d stopped to chat for a minute while her husband continued to stroll the Carefree Gardens where I was entertaining as a guitar-player/singer.

After a few minutes she departed, scurrying to catch her husband who was disappearing around a bend in the meandering path. I sang another song.

At the conclusion of my song, I noticed a man standing right at the bend in the meandering path with his hand up in the air signaling to me – about 50 feet away. It was the husband – the one whose brother had served in Vietnam.

No balloons, bright lights or crowds greeted most servicemen returning from Vietnam. Vietnam was devastated by the war. The Carefree Gardens, where Rick Smith was performing when he recieved a special welcome home, features beautiful lights and decorations during the holiday season. Friendly, festive Vietnamese marketplaces await American visitors. Photograph by Les Conklin.

His voice hollered forth as he waved, “Welcome home!”

“Oh,” I said silently to myself, understanding what he was saying. In this public setting,

This comment represented the grandest greeting home from Vietnam that I’d ever received. His comment penetrated the quiet of the garden as well as my heart.

“Thank you so much,” I said back to him through the mic. I know he knew I knew what he meant.

“Welcome home.” Those are the words that when said to a Vietnam veteran will be heard as “thank you for your service.” Give it a try next time you cross paths with a Vietnam veteran.

You’ll leave no doubt — there’s no place like home.

Images of Vietnam, December 2019

This exhibit at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where John McCane was imprisoned, shows where some prisoners spent their time. The prison was originally built by the French to house captured Viatnames revolutionaries. Thankfully, 2/3 of this dark, dismal, depressing place has been replaced by a modern retail center. Photograph by Judy Conklin.

A Vietnames woman looks at her cell phone. The average age of Vietnamese residents is 28. Photogrfph by Judy Conklin.

b

Our tour group visited a village 40 miles from Hanoi where we were welcomed to the home of the village’s vice mayor (brown jacket). He was 16 when he was drafted into the North Vietnames Army. He survived 10 years of duty along the length of the Ho Chi Mihn Trail and in Cambodia. He survived because he became a member of the entertainment corps. I wish Rick Smith was there when our host enthusiastically played several stringed instruments for us. Note the small alter for the family’s ancestors behind the group. Photograph by Les Conklin.

c

Overnight stays on Halong Bay on large junks are very popular. However, large hotels are being built at the bay’s entry point and soon the government will ban the the boat stays to support the hotel/resort industry and reduce water polution. Foreign businesses are investing heavily in the country. Photograph by Les Conklin.

d

The main market street in Hoi An, Vietnam. Photograph by Les Conklin.

Ceramic Store, Bat Trang, Vietnam. Photograph Les Conklin.

f

View from our hotel room of Nha Trang coastline. Photograph Judy Conkin.

g

Famed Dragon Bridge near Nha Trang was built to attract tourists. Photograph Judy Conklin.

Training pet competivie song birds is a favorite hobby of Vietnamese men. The bird with the strongest song wins. In the village of Xom Gio locals gather at a street cafe to watch their birds (in cages above) compete with birds in adjacent cages. The men move the cages to test their bird against different competitors. Photograph Judy Conklin.

i

Post Office, Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon), Vietnam.

k

Members of our tour group enjoy lunch and drinks at the home of Vietnamese family in Xom Gio. Our group purchased all the ingredients for food and drink at a local outdoor market. and then with the help of our hosts, prepared the food and cocktails. Photograph Judy Conklin.

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