Fraternity-Testvériség, 1966 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1966-12-01 / 12. szám
4 FRATERNITY We had to build Phu-Loi from scratch. We defended it. We flew combat missions daily and worked round the clock to keep our “birds” flying. We hand-dug wells for water. We made bricks by hand and built shelters. We fought in every major operation in the Third Corps area. We gained the confidence of the villagers and they began supporting us instead of the Yiet-Cong. Phu-Loi gradually became our home. Today, this younger generation has thousands of representatives building and fighting in many Phu-Lois throughout Vietnam. There is nothing sensational about their performance. This is the standard we elders preach and jealously call our own. When our youths inadvertently discover this standard, we rush in immediately to accept what credit may be forthcoming. When have we accepted the blame for some of our youths’ more unpopular activities? The young fighting American trooper in Vietnam learns rapidly and needs no prodding. He learns the smell of death early in life. He sees the meaning of terror in the eyes of women and little children who have been exposed to the atrocities of the Viet Cong. He often sees the twisted bodies of his fallen buddies. He knows why he is in Vietnam and why he must stay until his job is done. This young trooper represents this generation of young Americans. He is the young colored trooper getting his kicks out of teaching local children English with a deep Southern drawl. He is the young medic caring for the villagers between battles. He is the young trooper who is handy with a hammer and decides on his own to build a school — and does it. He is the young soldier who sacrifices his life so that others may live free from terror. These are the young Americans of today. THEY should be getting the publicity. As I recall now, we had a few songs in our day which had some lousy lyrics too. I just can’t seem to remember the titles now. We had a few fads too! They used to get the old folks all upset . . . swallowing gold fish . . . stuff like that. We had a few “odd ball” attention seekers who were always promoting one cause or another. Funny ... I can’t remember them either. By the way, what’s that odd ball draft dodger’s name out in California causing all that ruckus . . . Car . . . something or other?
