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