T’S TIME TO PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION. You can always go to a sunny beach or to an amusement park with your kids or grandkids. But maybe this year you want do something diff erent for a change. Something big. Why not pack your bags to revisit places from the past?
A Marine carries a Vietnamese woman to safety during the Battle of Hue in 1968. Today, the area (above) is peaceful and picturesque.
In this 100th year marking the start of the First World War and the 50th an- niversary of the Vietnam War, there’s no better way to both remember your own past or honor the sacrifi ces of those who came before than to visit the battlefi elds and monuments of 20th century confl icts. Of course, you don’t have to limit
your visit to historical battlefi elds. It would be a shame to travel so far without building in a side trip to Brussels; Tuscany, Italy; London; Paris; Seoul, South Korea; or Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, or the pristine tropical forest of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Consider the following tips when planning your trip. Schedule your tour well in ad-
vance. A number of companies off er tour packages for just about every budget, but make sure to select a
reputable operator. This year, be- cause of several major anniversaries, business is up and spaces could be limited. Be fl exible on your dates, if possible. Insist on an advance itin- erary, complete with a listing of all costs. Beware of hidden charges that can turn what seems like a good deal into an expensive one. Do your homework. After
you’ve identifi ed your destination of choice, read up on the location and the battle(s) before you go. Even if you served in a country during wartime, it’s a good idea to ensure place names haven’t changed and reorient yourself with the locales. If you haven’t been before, a genuine understanding of the tactical sig- nifi cance of the area means you’ll be free to delve even deeper into the experience once there.
The Vietnam War While it may have been a culturally divisive war in the U.S. in its time, Vietnam has not been overlooked by any means. According to the Vietnamese government, more than 400,000 Americans have visited the country in recent years to see such sites as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, A Luoi (Hamburger Hill), Vinh Moc Tunnels, and Ha Noi. Whether you are a veteran who served in Vietnam wishing to return for closure, you have a deep interest in the his-
tory of the Vietnam War, or you simply want to experience an exotic way of life, Vietnam awaits. Helpful websites:
Tours of Peace,
www.topvietnamveterans.org Vietnam Battlefield Tours,
www.vietnambattlefieldtours.com Would-be travelers to this region also might find the Stars and Stripes newspaper’s coverage of the 50th anniversary of the war’s start (
http://bit.ly/vietnam50) an interesting read.
74 MILITARY OFFICER MONTH 2005
PHOTOS THIS SPREAD: CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT, U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RE- CORDS ADMINISTRATION; SHUTTERSTOCK; U.S. ARMY; SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96