HUE

[JOHN THURSTON]

Initially, I tried to enlist in the Marines.

My thinking was, in 1967, that I would be better off with them if I ended up in the "Nam.

I did not qualify physically-subsequently my lottery number was such that I did not actually get drafted.

Shakespeare said: "and every man shall call himself accursed that he could not have called himself a soldier"

I rather think i feel that way still.

For those who did serve in that troubled war;

I did do a closing for a Vietnamese couple. They asked me if I had served. I said "No--why do you ask".

They explained that they were teachers.

They explained that they lived in Hue City in 1968.

They explained that the VC and NVA were coming up one end of their street and killing all who had even the slightest connection to the Saigon regime, even just grade school teachers.

They explained that the USMC was coming up the other end of the street at the same time.

They explained that the Marines got there first, and saved their lives.

I guess if this post makes just one Marine, Soldier, Sailor or Airman feel a bit proud , I'll rest a bit easier.

JT