FEB 24 4:00 PM (ALASKA) JAN 31- VISITING THUA, DUONG, PHUNG, AND LADY THE'S GRAVE

At 7 AM our hired car arrived to transport Damn Guide and me for visits to Thua, Duong, and Phung, Lady The's son and Son's brother. The route took us down Highway 1 and past Que Son and the main gate of Landing Zone Baldy, where I served on the bunker line after leaving my field infantry company until departure for home. That base is now home to an armored unit.

View from Highway 1

 

Que Son

 

Main Gate of Former LZ Baldy

 

After about 2 hours, we arrived at Duong's house. Thong's repeated attempts to call him in advance had been unsuccessful, so he wasn't expecting us. Duong served in my infantry unit (2nd Platoon Co A 3/21 196th Light Infantry), but that was subsequent to my tour of duty. Having lost both legs in combat, he has had a rough existence. However, through the years, we have done much to improve the quality of his life. 

 

Duong's House-Before

Duong Before House Renovation

Duong's House-After

                                                          

Gifts for Duong (Notice Tile Has Replaced Bare Cement)

Hand-Driven Cart

Duong, My Fellow 196th Infantry Comrade

Avoiding details, I'll just say that Duong wasn't doing well as I walked into his house. Thong soon joined me, as did Duong's son. I learned that Duong had recently returned from Tam Ky Hospital, where he was diagnosed with lung cancer. No treatment plan is to be pursued, so he'll stay at home for the remainder of his days. He has trouble keeping any food down and his eyes are so dim and sad. I dropped off ibuprofen & vitamins, 500,000 VND ($20), and some cakes, but it's hard to say if he can consume them. He told Thong that this is the last time that we'll see him. I knelt down, held his hands, and gave my fellow veteran a hug. On departing the house, I turned and gave Duong a final salute, which he returned. 

 

With Duong and His Son

Then it was back into the car and a short drive down narrow paths through the countryside to see Thua, also a fellow 196th Infantry veteran.

Livestock and Irrigation Channel

 

Irrigation Channel

Thua had been informed that we were en route and was awaiting our arrival

 

With Thua and his Wife

 

I walked to his house, while Thong was taken by motorbike. Damn Guide's knees are in really bad shape to where even walking a couple steps is very painful. But, surgery to "install" new knees is right around the corner. Fred Grimm (of D.O.V.E. Fund) is spearheading that project and tending to details.

After we all sat down in the house, a generous supply of ibuprofen and vitamins was provided for Thua and his wife.  Cakes and candy treats were also presented. 

 

Damn Guide (left), Thua's Family, Phung (right-Lady The's Son)

 

Then we got down to business. Thua had made us aware of an eye problem a couple of years ago, but getting specifics has been a challenge. So, we intended to transport him to DaNang for an eye exam and get him back home that same day. We had it all figured out. Well, surprise, surprise. As it turned out, he had recently been seen by five doctors in Tam Ky. He was told that his vision loss is caused by a nerve problem of some sort and that surgery would likely leave him blind. But, I wanted to know the medical term for his affliction. No success there. I have confirmed, though, that he doesn't have a tumor or cataracts. His vision has deteriorated since my September 2022 visit, but his spirits and general health appear to be excellent. And, his wife, children, and grandchildren are there for support.

 I asked Thua to take me back to see his pigs, which are doing quite well.

 

 

While away from the others, I handed him an envelope containing a significant monetary gift. This generous assistance was provided by a fellow 196th Infantry comrade who served directly with Thua during the war. His vision might be suffering, but his eyes certainly did light up! Thua is a quiet, humble, appreciative, hard-working man for which I have the utmost respect. 

 

With Thua and His Granddaughter

 

Thua walked us to the car and, with a promise to return, we were soon on our way down very narrow paths to see Phung, Son's brother. My intent was to visit Son's and Lady The's graves, to which Phung would need to lead us with his motorbike. However, he said that it would be too difficult to get to Son's grave due to the road being torn up. But, at least I was able to visit Lady The's grave. And what an impressive memorial it is. She had a rough life, yet lived to her mid-90's. Her husband died in the war. She was shot through the mouth by a helicopter gunship. Then this resilient lady tended to Son, her crippled daughter, through her life.  Son was the catalyst for our humanitarian program. It all started with her.

 Last Photo of Lady The 2018 - With Kira

At Lady The's Grave

Lighting Incense at Lady The's Grave (with Phung, Her Son)

Last Photo of Son 2011

At Son's Grave 2018

We then returned to Phung's house, where Thong was waiting for us. After leaving some treats and ibuprofen, we were on our way back to DaNang. It was a full day, that's for sure. The next morning I'd be returning to Hue, my defunct laptop in tow.