Nguyen Van Le example essay topic

Searching for peace in war Staring silently out the window on a chilly Sunday morning, Nguyen Van Le still hears the screams of children devastated by landmines and relives again, the sights of crying wives at the loss of their husbands. 'Like so many young boys, I was plagued with an absence of a father I never experienced or knew truly about'. The loss of his father in the hands of brutal Vietcong guerrillas caused immense emotional grief within the family and it was difficult to contemplate life without him. 'I cried many nights and flashes of his bruised body infected my dreams constantly', he remarks frankly, 'there really is just a thin line between the living and the dead and it was never made more real than the human disaster that took place in Vietnam'. 'It is always difficult to describe such atrocities that occurred in Vietnam, many wish to avoid such reflections' Van Le would concede. Although he grew up as a democratic idealist, wishing his family a better future free from Communist dictatorship, he had his suspicions about the presence of American troops.

Until today, Van Le still curses the day American troops intervened. 'It was American bombs that destroyed our homes and the hopes of rebuilding our country, and they left us at the time when we needed them most'. The 48 year old who lives with his two sons has his own views about war and he points out that those who made the decision to go the course of violence were never there to kill a man or even witness it first hand. Clenching his fists, he exclaims 'They know absolutely nothing about the pain, the suffering from hunger and the absence of love, that is what deeply infuriates me'. Even after so many years from the carnage, he still shares his joyful moments with his children, whom he hopes would never experience a conflict with the same magnitude as Vietnam. 'There were times when the Americans would come down to the markets and we would crowd around them, eyes focussed on the silverware they were carrying' he would joke, 'young Vietnamese were brought up as cunning thieves and soon, I had my own collection of watches, jewellery and even silver bullets'.

Van Le misses those few days where peace could be found, where he could simply play a game of soccer or cards with his friends. 'That was the childhood I wanted' he would reminisce. Today, Van Le feels the changes brought about by the war has enormously influenced his perceptions of life where he says, 'it was through those darkest times that I now stand today, fully understanding the importance of human life and to feel grateful that we were able to simply survive'. Van Le could not remember much about the numerous battles that took place around his village near Saigon except for the ambush at Ph uoc Tuy in 1971. The American platoon stationed there was guarding a vital bridge leading to the marshlands, which was part of the American supply route. That day, the Vietcong surprised the Americans and inflicted a huge number of casualties and their advance was only halted by allied air reinforcements.

'That ambush didn't assist the cause of the North Vietnamese, but I could sense the fear in the eyes of the injured Americans returning to base camp' he would say, 'the more the bodies piled up, the greater the unease felt by the dispirited Americans'. Daily reports of combat raging were uncommon and I feared for the safety of my sisters and mother, who was constantly traumatized by the scene of bloodied corpses. 'We decided to flee to the capital Saigon, where we hoped to find sanctuary behind its fortified walls'. Yet several months later upon arrival, Saigon fell to the determined Vietcong. 'Communism didn't affect my family a great deal, afterall, we were all Vietnamese and it was easy to blend into the new society. My family was safe, and that was the most important thing as I promised my father in pray, that I would take care of the household'.

Sitting in his favourite armchair overlooking the Australian sunshine, he plainly states that there is not one book, one article or account, which truly depicts the horrors and adversities felt by those in Vietnam. Many war veterans were praised for their bravery, courage and their service to the interests of their nation but the consequences of the war were enormous. We see young kids with no brothers and sisters, and those soldiers who were lucky enough to return home have gone insane, lost their legs or arms and sadly discriminated by those who sent them to war. 'Today I still weep not only at the lost of my father and the pain it has caused my family, but the many fathers and loved ones lost by so many in the world' Van Le sobs 'If only my father could share the experience of freedom I now enjoyed, here in Australia'. Van Le has been living in Australia for over 20 years, but despite the physical scars he bears from the war, he feels it is his responsibility to return to the country which gave birth to him. 'No matter the condition of today's Vietnam, it is my country and I will always hold it close to my heart' he would announce, 'Only by returning to Vietnam will I be able to tell my father that I have fulfilled my promise of looking after the family and I know he will be proud of me'.

Although the only memories of Van Le's father are found in old black and white photographs and the stories told to him by his mother, his father Nguyen Tran Dat will remain forever his hero and inspiration. Van Le's destiny was completely altered by the war but he learnt to persevere and to cherish all he had left, and that was his family. 'Through my experiences in war, I could only hope that my children will take the opportunities given to them and understand how fortunate they are to simply have parents'.