Our orphanage visit

So much gratitude for our visit to the children’s orphanage and old people’s home. The images certainly tell the story!

Long Tan, a reflection by Lara Davis, supervising teacher

As our wheels turn towards Long Tan, images flood my mind of high school textbooks filled with young men surrounded by mates, but not on a footy field, instead, a field filled with bloodshed. Their bodies strong and their spirit stronger, as they faced unthinkable atrocities. 
The heat showed us no sympathy, nor did it for our brave soldiers. We dressed in black pants and formal t-shirts with sunglasses in hand. 

Our only struggle was to hide from the sun's ferocity in the shadow of trees. This, in stark contrast to diggers weighed down by uniform, guns and fear. Hiding from the heat of the tenacious enemy.

Together our shoes disturb the earth beneath our feet. New footprints reach for old ones, in the hope of creating a stronger connection between our world and theirs.

In the lush, green plantation of Long Tan, 28 people gathered in hushed tones around the memorial cross of our fallen heroes. Returned soldier Dennis led us through a moving ceremony while taking us on an emotional journey through time. We laid our flowers at the base of the white cross and said out loud the name of our solider, as tiny glowing fireflies danced around us. 

Leaving today we take with us not only the memories of this humbling and unique experience but more importantly the compassion, resilience, courage, integrity, endurance, trust, humour and mateship  our diggers embodied. Wrapping these qualities up in gratitude we too can endeavour to implement these attributes in our own lives and best honour their sacrifices. We Never forget!

The locations and the stories no longer remain locked in the textbook pages.

It was a privilege to visit and will forever be a treasured experience.

Rest well 

Phouc Thuy Province by Gaby Elias

There was a lot of deep reflection within the group following our adventures yesterday. We embarked on a bus ride to the former Phuoc Tuy Province with our local tour guides Tony and Martin. 

We were able to walk in the footsteps of the Australians who served as we visited the 1 Australian Task Force - its both eye-opening and unsettling. In particular, the hand-dug bunkers metres deep were striking, as we climbed down into them we reflected on the combination of the burning sun, overwhelming fear and hard labour these men would have faced. 

For me, this brought the south-australian serviceman I researched to life, Peter Allan Chant. He was sadly killed in action at the Task Force Base at Nui Dat when the 9th battalion overran a communist supply dump. Consequently the company came under heavy rocket fire, machine guns and small arms when following the VC to their supplies. He became real to me as I recognised the significance of the fact that I am watching his story come to life. 

I am excited and grateful to continue to discover his story, delving into the history of the Vietnam War.

Cu Chi and art

 What an amazing day yesterday. We spent a couple of hours at Cu Chi tunnels, part of an underground network that spanned over 250kms. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American and ARVN forces, and helped to counter the growing American military presence.

We all spent time underground and were surprised with how small the tunnels actually are and how they could very easily be hidden from the American soldiers.

Back in Hi Chi Minh City, our group participated in a canvas painting class at an art school. We did not realize we had so many talented artists amongst us!

We’re not in Kansas anymore

 What a whirlwind opening for our trip!

The experience of international travel followed by being welcomed into our guide Martin’s family!

Today we have been blown away by the energy and history of Ho Chi Minh City, a city of over 9 million people, formally known as Sai Gon. 

The sites, sounds, tastes and fragrances have been so different from what we experience in Adelaide. Senses in overdrive!

Destinations today included the former Presidential Palace (now known as Reunification Palace), the underground weapons storage bunkers, Father Tam’s Catholic Church and the sobering War Remnants Museum.

We also experienced the art of “negotiating a sale” at the bustling Ben Thanh Markets.

Power and impact of images from the war

 The Napalm girl

The Napalm Girl, whose real name is Phan Thi Kim Phuc, became an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War's brutality. In 1972, when she was just nine years old, Kim Phuc was photographed running naked and severely burned from a napalm attack on her village, Trang Bang (image below). The powerful image captured her agony and the horrors of war, garnering worldwide attention.

Despite suffering extensive burns and enduring multiple surgeries, Kim Phuc survived and eventually moved to Canada. Over the years, she transformed from a symbol of war's devastation into an advocate for peace and forgiveness. Kim Phuc founded the Kim Foundation International, an organization dedicated to providing medical and psychological assistance to child victims of war. She also became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, promoting peace and understanding among nations.

The iconic image, is on display at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where we will be visiting on 16 April.

Today, Kim Phuc continues to inspire others with her resilience and commitment to healing. She travels the world, sharing her story and advocating for peace, reconciliation, and the importance of forgiveness. Her journey from a wartime victim to a global ambassador for peace exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of compassion and forgiveness in overcoming adversity.

Dusted off

 Have you listened to Redgum's song, "I was only 19" yet?

The song references many of the places we will be visiting on our upcoming trip to Vietnam. Locations such as Vung Tau, Nui Dat and the Grand Hotel (where we will actually be staying).

The lyrics also features the lines "But you wouldn't let your mates down 'til they had you dusted off

So you closed your eyes and thought about somethin' else"

So, what does being "dusted off" actually mean?

Dusted off" was a term from the Vietnam War, referring to the urgent evacuation of wounded soldiers by medical helicopters.

These helicopters, often marked with a red cross, symbolized courage as they risked enemy fire to rescue the injured.

The term represented both survival and loss, embodying the commitment to never leave a fallen comrade behind.

Decades later, it remains a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the enduring bonds forged in wartime.