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			KONTUM DIARY: The Journey Home

Tell us what you think about KONTUM DIARY: The Journey Home.

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11/16/2009

PAUL, I met you tonite @ the Veteran's Dinner, I went to the web and realized I had been in the presece of a great man. Keep doing all the purposedful thing you do and my you reap the full benefits even the true riches which cannot be bought. Peace cp

07/02/2008

Would like to hear from anyone who served with Lt. Col Domingo Ignacio Aguilar Killed in helicopter incident at Kontun Dec. 8th 67 Did not see the show wish I had. Thank all of those who serve this country with honor.

08/06/2006
joe .t
bklyn ny

My father was a member of the 173 hurd.he has passed on now.but even in the end i seen him go out like a man,i didnt really realize how much respect he really had until his passing.all the people that came to pay there respects made me realize so much about him and how much i really couldnt realize what it was like for him and the others who lived it out or just in general lived that life.i dont really trust the goverment these days because of the things they veterans through like cutting benefits and my dad passed away from agent orange.so you be the judge.god bless all you veterans who really had a cause to fight for whats right.though i will find away to fight the goverment cuz i have to live with agent orange and lord only knows when it will set in an destroy my life but i take my hats off to those who gave me the inspiration to stand up and fight..

05/17/2005
Iben
New York City

Attended the screening at the United Nations. Thought the movie was unsatisfactory, followed by a very disappointing, if not offensive, talk afterwards.

04/29/2005
lewis stoneking (stoney)

merrifield mn.56465

paul buddy been trying to get hold of you. searched the phone books in fort worth and did name searches on the web,and on the 173rd web sight from time to time.after i met you in rochester in 95 i kind of dropped out of the loop it brought back to many memories both bad and good for me to cope with.getting help now with the v.a. for my ptsd. knew something was wrong but never put a finger on it. anyway plz. write and let me know how to get hold of you. you got one really big fan in my support group. dig this hes a marine lol. he was very surprised i knew you and was stunned to see my name in kontum diaries.cant wait to see the new video.hope to hear from u soon. lewis (stoney) stoneking.

01/03/2005
Madeline Wanamaker Roberts
MadelineWRoberts@comcast.net
Nashville, TN

I haven't seen the documentary. Will it ever be shown again? I would like to see it. My brother, Johnny Wayne Wanamaker, was killed in Kontum, Vietnam on 3-26-1968. Paul Reed took the time to give a first-hand account of Johnny's death in a letter to Wesley A. Melvin, which is recorded at www.173d.com. I really appreciate Paul's efforts and his comments about my brother.

02/24/2004
Jeanie
GirlieJB7@aol.com
Merced, CA

Hi, I've been trying to find more info on the effect of the war and also the return home of our Vietnam vets. I was married to a vet that was with the 173 Airborn and I've witnessed his pain in trying to deal with it all. I'm now trying to do a paper for my college class about the anger, pain, and mental devistation of our guys. So many people just don't understand. Even my husbands mom used to say she just didn't want to hear it. I would appreciate any info or websites anyone might have to help me. I have more to say, but no more space. Thank you all, Jeanie

11/27/2003
Robert Hettiger
BOBHETTIGER
East Hampton, New York 11

Paul , it was a wonderful thing you did, in showing the Vietnamese , another side of Americans. I have always thought,that there should be a way for Americans and Vietnamese to come together in friendship. You proved it could be done. Best Wishes, Bob Hettiger,170th Assault Helicopter Co, Kontum, 1970.

11/12/2003
Ink1942@aol.com
San Antonio, Texas

Paul, it was so good to see you at the dedication of the 173d Memorial Highway. I am sorry I wasn't able to talk to you about your fabulous Book. As a poet, it touched me deeply. Gold Star Mom of Sp/4 Keith Allen Campbell. Much love, Herd Mom, Esther Campbell Gates.

08/03/2003

This is one of the best web sites I have ever gotten into.I was stationed at Kontum with the Engineers C company 299th 1968 to 1969.I still havent forgotten and never will. GodBless and Welcome Home

I was very young during the Vietnam War, but I remember that my uncle was thinking of moving to Canada to avoid the draft. That would have been sad, because then I wouldn't have known him as I do now. I was very moved by Paul's open heart and the way in which he forgave Mr. Nghia and in turn, also healed himself. If more people were able to forgive - in every day life - there would be less violence in the world. The vets who welcomed Mr. Nghia had big hearts too. This was a good example of putting the past behind and moving forward in a positive way. Thank you for showing this special program.

I watched this film last night and just had to write and say how moved I was. What a powerful lesson in forgiveness and love. Thank you.

Steve Corona

San Francisco

By accident I stumbled on KONTUM DIARY: THE JOURNEY HOME. It was touching, the best thing on TV last night.

Bill Packer
btpacker@ix.netcom.com
Wyoming, Mich. 49509

Soldiers: are, because evil exists.

My father lied about his age to join the army and fight in Korea. After returning home he tried various jobs before returning to the army as a reserve NCO. His leaders recognized the potential of this soldier and recommended he attend OCS in Fort Benning, Ga. My father was on a path that would have made him a general if cancer had not taken him at age 42. He served 2 tours in Vietnam. One as a Captain in 1965. When he returned home he spoke to me with enthusiastic hope that we could allow the people of Vietnam the same opportunity that we had done in Korea. When he returned from his 2nd tour in 1967 he couldn't look me in the eyes and speak without tears. He was a Major and realized that the truth of our involvement was not honorable.

I was called in 1969 and went to Vietnam as an AH-1G helicopter pilot. During my tour I flew cover for the only election to take place for the time we were involved in Vietnam. It took me 11 years after returning to see on Public TV the series which gave a history of the political Vietnam. The French were using the Vietnamese as slave laborers to extract as much wealth as possible from this country. When the people united to fight this oppression ... they prevailed.

When we became involved we told the people of Vietnam and the world that our intent was to be there only as long as it would take to allow an election proccess to take place. One of the leaders of the Vietnamese was a man called Hoa Chi Mhin. A former ally during world war 2, he fought the Japanese. He was a major reason for the defeat of the French occupation in his Country. His western education and Socialist viewpoint worried the leaders of free enterprise. Hence ... i f we were to allow free elections and Hoa Chi Mhin were on the ballot ... he probably would have been elected. The election I flew cover for only allowed for approved (by our politicians) party candidates on the ballot ... this is what I was killing for. This I did not know at the time.

When I was a young man my father taught me that a soldier fights for honor. To him this meant the essence of our constitution and what it stood for. He believed that these principles applied to all mankind. It was easy for me to accept his truth as my own code of conduct. When we act in good faith to do what we believe to be good only to realize after many years of unresolved anger and hatred of ourselves and others who do not understand our inner conflict, who is the victim? The program aired on PBS on Memorial Day 1999 brought me to tears over and over.

This is the duty of a soldier: to do what is right at the risk of one's own life so that future generations may honor us. To Paul and Mr. Nghia I add my portion of light to fight the darkness. They are the victims and the Heroes which the future will hold in esteem. The greed and the fear will not prevail.

I saw KONTUM DIARY: THE JOURNEY HOME on TV last night. I was moved to tears by the love that was expressed. It reminded me of how much God loves us sinners despite the war that was raging between us and Him. That Jesus came to save His enemies is incredible. That two enemies have come to love each other is Christ embodied. I was especially impressed with how Mr. "Nee" and his family, people who had survived decades of war were so willing to love the "invaders." The scene of him and Paul walking hand in hand down a village street was one of the most powerful things that I have ever seen. Thank you so much for showing that Love indeed, conquers all.

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