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Although the festival is organized in the country with the dominance of Buddhism, it is favored and greatly celebrated by Vietnamese Christians in particular and Vietnamese people in general. Send with explanation unit and date to. Meet The Most Decorated Single Unit In The Vietnam War. It is also known as a signal for a winter holiday in Vietnam. See our Cookie và Privacy policies for more information. I loved the Christmas tree! International Labor Day is an opportunity to express the solidarity of the working class and working people throughout the world for the victory of peace, freedom, democracy and social progress. John, thanks for this wonderful Christmas present. On Thu, Dec 17, 2015 at 10:51 PM, Cherries – A Vietnam War Novel wrote: I have a great Christmas tree photo. Christmas card issued by United States Army General William Westmoreland, Chief of Staff during the Vietnam War, wishing soldiers a merry Christmas and happy New Year, 1968. HKD
Taking part in the world of shimmering colors, tourists will surely experience unforgettable moments. Taken shortly after arriving at Long Binh December 15, 1970 (note wreath over door). RUB
“Just Making Myself Count”: A Vietnam War Christmas Story December 9, 2020 Randy Mills Tobey Herzog, in his book, Vietnam War Stories: Innocence Loss , believed there were lessons to be learned from Vietnam War accounts, lessons concerning authentic leadership, the price of war, and why war should be avoided if at all possible. All was ready to plug in right out of the box. My package from home included a Christmas tree and tins of home-made cookies. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 2nd Field Forces, 2 Civil Affairs Co. A lot of memories come back looking at these pictures. Merry Christmas!’. Lights are a nice touch but can’t be seen at night, Don’t get any of this angel hair in your shoes, Back view of an APC – surely Santa will come out of the hatch. Please, press SEARCH NOW. John.podlaski@gmail.com, Thanks for the pictures, brings back a lot of memories. Courtesy Picture John Stryker Meyer and Lynne Black, his second-in-command, on the range before an operation. In Vietnam, Christmas was celebrated joyously with people thronging city roads right from Christmas Eve, which is often more important than Christmas Day! Located in the south of Nha Trang Bay, Hon Mun Marine Park is one of the most charming tourist attraction thanks to diverse marine ecosystems. SEK
The Open Christmas Letter was a public message for peace addressed "To the Women of Germany and Austria ", signed by a group of 101 British women suffragettes at the end of 1914. Christmas during the Vietnam war. Phat Diem Cathedral in Ninh Binh Province is regarded as the spiritual home for millions of Vietnamese Catholics who are living in a predominantly Buddhist country. 6, AUD
In many ways, my most memorable. 1970: Pfc. Great I love the Articles and all the old pictures it brings back so many good memories thank you very much and Merry Christmas. They were laughing and pointing, the gunner and crew chief were waving and throwing candy. I don’t remember what my mental state was, never good on the best day, but I must have thought something like, ‘What the hell, I can fly the mission and still have time to get drunk before the sun goes down’. Christmas 1968. What an awesome collection of Christmas in Nam, should be in a book for everyone’s enjoyment. This page describes in detail rock, pop, and soul Christmas songs about the American war in Vietnam in the 1960's, including songs by Johnny & Jon, Derrick Roberts, and Marvin Gaye. Many companies in Vietnam allow their employees to have a day off work in Christmas day. Not really enchanted with the tree, I guess we decided to fly. Christmas during the Vietnam War Many people will never forget their Christmas season during the Vietnam War. He said to say thank you for writing this post. Would like to see more of your articles! Everyone was laughing like hell, me along with them. Photo donated by Joseph Burkhart: Decorations I made to go on the roof of the ready room, 509 Th Tac Interceptor Sqdn, F-102’s, Danang AB Dec. 1967…Won the base Xmas Decoration Contest. Hi John, You DID fill out that flight suit.). When the Christmas season arrived two months later, Buchta witnessed an event that would help breathe some humanity into otherwise deadly conditions. Enjoy! On 28 December 1961, US intelligence discovered that a large group of North Vietnamese Army (North Vietnam Army) were near the village of Ấp Bắc – deep in South Vietnam territory. 40% to 60% of those were either in combat, provided close support or were regularly exposed to enemy attack. While the crew is cutting down the tree, the M-60’s on the ship were, of course, unmanned. 1 on the Billboard charts. Soldiers Celebrating Christmas during the Vietnam War, Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War, A Chat Between Three Veterans [live video with author], Lest We Forget Meet the Authors & Book Signing April 4th: Cherries and Donut Dolly, Interview with author John Podlaski in Examiner Magazine, American Heroes Radio interviews author of Cherries – A Vietnam War Novel, Cherries Author Interviewed on British Website, U.K. Blogspot posts interviews author, John Podlaski, More Book Reviews and author interviews about Cherries, sfc michael snider, Aco 4/47 inf, 9th div 1967, Christmas in Vietnam – Getting to Know Chuck Jackson. 1st Cavalry Div. The Bob Hope show was a week later. A week before Christmas in 1970, our company returned to Cu Chi base camp (Vietnam) for a three-day stand down. Along the streets in big cities as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a large number of Santa Claus costumes, artificial Christmas trees, and decorating things are sold widely. They got the tree back to the 174th, dug a hole for the trunk and planted that sorry evergreen right in the middle of the company area and proceeded to decorate it with empty beer cans. I remember him, between giggles, saying, ‘I can’t believe I’m really doing this.’ My only concern was that, if we took fire and I got hit, I was not at all sure Will could even reach the controls if he suddenly needed to fly the ship. Thereupon, they return to their homes for the Christmas supper which is the most important meal of the Vietnamese Christmas. During the Vietnam War, ... How the NVA stole Christmas. I was flying as a Dolphin AC (before I went to the Sharks after the first of the year). ( Log Out / The rest of the day was more of the same, only more satisfying. Mon, 30 Jun 2014. I look forward to 2021 – many new articles and pictures are planned for your reading enjoyment! And as Bob would say “Thanks for the memories.”. Pine tree probably didn’t smell like pine, Christmas Day at one of the many orphanages in the country. 26 (UP)—Alfed troops went back to war yesterday after a 24‐hour Christmas truce, No American combat deaths were reported during the … You are an angel in our midst. Copyright © 2014 AloTrip Ltd. All rights reserved, AloTrip International Limited, register - No 1544418 - The holder of AloTrip.com. D Company, 3/39 Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. NOK
What a fascinating collection of photos, John. PHP
It is seen as a traditional custom and international festival in Vietnam, without distinguish the origin of religion. Everyone pitched in to decorate and devour…I’m (author) on the left! | (Bettmann/CORBIS), Audience & special guests at a Bob Hope Christmas Show, Donut Dolly arrives to help with the tree decorations, Mechanized unit from the 25th Division in the bush, South Vietnam, December, 1969: Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry gather around their Christmas tree at Patrol Base Kotrc, near the Cambodian border. During the eve, Vietnamese people who are Catholics or not, especially young people go to the churches to enjoy the joyous atmosphere of Christmas Eve. The celebration of Christmas is different from regions by regions. As being one of big and common holidays in Vietnam, Christmas is also an occasion for social charity organizations to hold programs of delivering gifts to orphanage children, the elder, the homeless, the poor, and the disable. Merry Christmas brother and Merry Christmas to all everyone. Pope Benedict XV, on 7 December 1914, had begged for an official truce between the warring governments. Saved by Jack Baldar. Some reused materials are from Wikipedia under GNU License. You have outdone yourself again. https://cherrieswriter.com/2020/12/20/christmas-during-the-vietnam-war One Vietnam Veteran’s poignant Christmas story is on the War Stories website titled: If I could just remember his name … It was submitted by Paul Scimone, L/Cpl., H&S co. 3rd Med. CHF
Click below to watch a sneak peek of his show in Long Binh 1970: Cans used as ornaments on artificial Christmas tree, This is as close to a decorated Christmas Tree as I can get, DMZ Doc Jenkins Quang Tri 1969, DMZ DUSTOFF, Cooks brought hot chow out to the bush for Christmas, Photo donated by Tom Goins. The bombings continued until December 29, at which time the North Vietnamese agreed to resume the talks. Our service uses cookies for technical, analytical and marketing purposes. William Dowell, Field Resupply – bringing out hot meals from the rear, 12/25/1969-Cu Chi, South Vietnam- During a Christmas cease fire at Fire Base Evans, 40 miles west of Saigon, Red Cross Donut Dollies visited us at a temporary patrol base in Dinh Tuong Province just before Christmas 1968. I too was able to see the Bob Hope Christmas show of 1966. The so-called Christmas Bombings in 1972 brought the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table, but at a high cost. The traditional meal consists of chicken soup and the well-heeled tuck, instead of turkey and Christmas pudding. Very interesting. Here’s a memory from a former Huey pilot, J. C. Pennington (Dolphin 14/Shark 4 1968-69) to share with everyone: “Keeping in mind that I’m a victim of CRS (can’t remember sh*t) disease, as I recall Christmas of 1968 and can’t help but smile with what I CAN remember. Marine reconnaissance team Box Score’s fight for survival. My Email is, tdmichae@hotmail.com. The 174th supported the 11th LIB (of Calley and Medina infamy) and we must have had three or four ships take the battalion re-supply missions that day. Change ). PFC Wayne Baldwin of Groveland, Massachusetts, a machine-gunner with the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry,1st Brigade, 9th Inf Div, reads a Christmas card from home after mail call at Bear Cat, approximately 25 km northeast of Saigon,13 December,1967. JPY
Will was the best Santa I’ve ever seen. It was a memorable Christmas Day. 1. These photos are courtesy of Jimmy Faile and Doc David Fowler. We landed and a bunch of guys started loading up the hot chow in the mermite cans and many more just ran to the cockpit to shake our hands and thank us (mostly Will), taking pictures of ‘that big Santa flying our re-supply bird’ and just suddenly remembering that it was Christmas Day. What a great tribute. South Vietnam, December, 1967: 9th Infantry Division soldiers Staff Sgt. Sorry, System is updating. Thank you and Merry Christmas Would be great to hear from guys that were in this unit at the time I was. Christmas greetings to family and friends from Australians serving in Vietnam. If you agree to this, just keep browsing. Spent Christmas in Soc Trang in 1968 and in Can Tho in 1971. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. EUR
Welcome Home. 52 Vets Recount Incidents Not Funny at the Time, but laughable Today! Well, this large co-pilot begged for a Santa suit. In the north of Vietnam, as northerners are impacted greatly by Buddhism, thus, their celebration of Christmas is not as momentous as that in the south of Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. I’m laughing out loud as I write and remember this. Marine reconnaissance team Box Score’s fight for survival. Vietnamese Lunar New Year is the most important festival in Vietnam. The links below will show you memoirs of those who served in Vietnam and those who yearned for them to be back home. American War American History 4th Infantry Division Vietnam War Photos North Vietnam Us Military Military Veterans United States Army Vietnam Veterans. TWD
To all my friends, family, military brothers and sisters: THANK YOU for all your support of this website during the past year! Should you have a question or comment about this article, then scroll down to the comment section below to leave your response. Bang Pla, Thailand. Don’t remember who came up with the idea, or the Santa suit, but Will wound-up looking like a large, fur trimmed blood blister in the right seat. “It was a near-run thing,” said the Duke of Wellington, after narrowly defeating Napoleon at Waterloo. If you agree to this, just keep browsing. I will reblog. The celebration of New Year according to Gregorian calendar becomes popular in Vietnam in recent years. Will had no hope of reaching it, even if we had put it on the top of the cyclic. To celebrate the victory of Vietnam in Vietnam War, and the liberation of South Vietnam, Vietnamese people held Vietnam Reunification Day celebration. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Christmas in Vietnam becomes an important event during a year. 4
Today, event of Christmas is one of the major celebrations in Vietnam with much enthusiasm by almost Vietnamese people of almost all religions. ( Log Out / Thank you, CJ, for all you do. Before we took off, we loaded up on extra sundry packs from the mess hall (I think that’s what they were called). Photo donated by Michael Mulcahey…Phan Rang, 435 Munitions – Christmas Day 1969. Ngo Dinh Diem. For Vietnamese Catholics in the north, hundreds of Catholics come together to churches for Christmas Eve. The grunt ops guy said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I responded with, ‘Come on out to the re-supply pad and meet your VIP.’ About that time we were circling the pad in a right-hand orbit, I had turned on the flashing Christmas tree lights and Will was flinging candy and sundries to the grunts guarding the perimeter. SAIGON, South Vietnam, Sunday, Dee. 6, 0
We had guys run up just to touch Santa’s sleeve, yell a huge ‘Thank you’ over the roar of the Huey and, believe it or not, scramble like crazy for the candy just like kids back home at the annual Christmas parade. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. CZK
Christmas card issued by United States Army General William Westmoreland, Chief of Staff during the Vietnam War, wishing soldiers a merry Christmas and happy New Year, 1968. As a result of your post, I dug up my Vietnam slides and revisted my pictures of the Christmas show. HUF
They landed just off the beach, the gunner and crew chief took a saw and cut down a big pine tree while the ship sat at flight idle protecting the tree burglars. TRY
Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Just before we took off, I remembered that my family had sent me a little battery operated Christmas tree that was about a foot high. James Heckman, 20, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, reads a letter attached to the Christmas present he received while stationed in Con Thein, Vietnam. Christmas is also called Nativity, Noel, Xmas, or Yule. Outstanding-thank you for the memories of Christmas long gone! PLN
The tree was a gift from a women’s organization in Seattle. Christmas Eve was unquestionably the loneliest time of my year-long separation from family. I’ve also created a poll to help identify my website audience – before leaving, can you please click HERE and choose the one item best describing you. Caption reads: “HEY HO!”. Before Christmas 1914, there were several peace initiatives. 1/5 . Photo donated by John Russell. During the eve, children present a nativity play in the church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In his piece he tells about an experience he had on Christmas Eve at Phu Bai in 1967. | (Bettmann/CORBIS), 1969: U.S. soldiers set up a Christmas tree in a spare mortar pit at the Duc Lap Special Forces camp. This is one of important holidays of Vietnam, which recalls victorious history of Vietnamese people. On Christmas day, 150 family members of American POWs landed in Paris seeking to meet with the North Vietnamese delegation at the Paris peace talks … Articles under DMCA & Google Authorship. The lull on Christmas Day gave the Vietnamese a chance to regroup. Tet is also the longest holiday which can last for about seven days. Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year, including the birthday of Buddha, the New Year and the Mid-autumn Festival. )Me on the left and Mike Steele on the right. The South Vietnam were defeated, while five American helicopters were destroyed… Today Vietnam Christmas has become a festival celebrated annually in Vietnam and in many other countries in the world. My volunteer co-pilot was a slightly overweight 1LT. 3
For those who follow “Eastern Orthodox Church” officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church, they celebrate Christmas on January 7 according to calendar of Gregory (Russians). Dec 2, 2019 - Explore Peer Into The Past's board "Military Christmas", followed by 25978 people on Pinterest. During Christmas in Vietnam, apart from religious rituals such as Holy Mass held in the church in the evening of December 24, images of crib recalls the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem Cave. Christmas is celebrated by Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem Cave in Judea (Roman). How often do you see a profusely sweating Santa? Eric Richards in 1970 at Dong Tam Basecamp for the 9th division. He should have been awarded a red and green Air Medal that day.”, Merry Christmas Everyone! CHRISTMAS '67 By Basil T. Paquet Introduction & Epilog by Paul Becker This was written by a friend of mine who was a conscientious objector but who served in the Army during the Vietnam War as a medic. TV videos from VTC.com.vn. I have a tendency to add more pictures as I come across them. 5
It is common knowledge that the existence of Santa Claus is still in mind of children cross the world. I seem to recall that there was a general stand down or cease fire for Christmas Day but they asked for volunteers to fly Christmas dinner out to the grunts still in the field. 11. I remember getting a minced meat pie from home xmas day 1968 and sharing with my bro’s. THB
The Rockpile is in the background, Troops unwrapping Christmas packages from home, Cook decorating a stage prior to USO Christmas show, Mail Call with Christmas goodies from home – platoon sized tent, Christmas religious services in the field, Sitting on the firebase berm with my decorated tree, Inside one of the command bunkers on a firebase, Posing with a “shitter” in the background. 4 Ron Brault of Kansas City, Mo., eats dinner while sitting next to a Christmas tree sent to him by his family. Before Christmas day in Vietnam about a week, Vietnamese people often decorate their houses and companies with Christmas trees and colorful accessories. If you want to learn more about the Vietnam War and its Warriors, then subscribe to this blog and get notified by email or your feed reader every time a new story, picture, video or changes occur on this website – the button is located at the top right of this page. However, after Vietnam reunification, the Communists who were atheists came to power in 1975, Christmas is held more privately. He was big to begin with, but with that armored chicken plate under the Santa suit, the boy was absolutely enormous…and laughing like hell at himself. Late in 1967, with 485,600 U.S. troops in Vietnam, Westmoreland announced that, although much fighting remained, a cross‐over point had arrived in the war of attrition; that is, the losses to the NVA and Vietcong were greater than they could replace. Western New Year in Vietnam is one of important holidays in Vietnam. Vietnamese people hold many interesting activities on the first day of a new year. Special bonus: 10 minute video showing Soldiers’ Christmas during the Vietnam War (many of the photos are new and not included in my presentation above): Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your site is a must read for me! Our service uses cookies for technical, analytical and marketing purposes. MXN
I brought it out to the ship and we taped it to the glare shield above the instrument panel right at the bottom of the windshield just to the left of the center post so I could reach up and turn it on. Christmas in Thailand. This marks the beginning of the Vietnam War.Many of the mission’s ongoing efforts are directed at supporting the regime of South Vietnamese Pres. Famous Santa sign on Shark Hootch entrance door. Tom Benic ©Stars and Stripes, Marines decorate an artificial tree from home. However, after Vietnam reunification, the Communists who were atheists came to power in 1975, Christmas is held more privately. They had cigarettes, razors, stationery, pens and lots and lots of candy. some of the early computer punch cards and folded, stapled, strung and painted them our Da Nang Dog Handlers had the only hooch decorated with a wreath and garland for Christmas in 1968. Thank you for sharing. Christmas in Vietnam is an occasion of practicing exciting community culture. We cranked up and flew to the TOC of the battalion we were supporting and got the locations, frequencies and call signs of the units we would deliver hot chow to. In what would be totally uncharacteristic of me, I apparently raised my hand and said, ‘Sure, I’ll fly even when I’m not on the schedule’. Turn it on and the lights flashed. IF THE MANY CONTROVERSIES THAT SWIRL around the American role in the Vietnam War, one of the most contentious centers on the Christmas bombing of Hanoi in December 1972. I enjoyed the pics. November 2014 CJ, Thanks again for your devotion and energy to make us Vietnam vets feel welcomed and appreciated. 1
All decorations in Christmas in Vietnam are relatively similar to those in the Western countries. After that, since 1980s when western ideals and influences affected life in Vietnam, this helped in the comeback of Christmas in the country. A few weeks later, the final Paris Peace Treaty was signed and the Vietnam War … Scratch-off lottery tickets weren’t available back then, Some lonely private will be assigned the task of removing all the red and white paint after returning from the bush, Always room to pack a portable Christmas tree in the bush, Engineers taking a break between missions, Soldier reading one of the many Christmas cards sent to Vietnam by grade school students back home. It failed — and “Elvis’ Christmas Album” went to No. These programs have the participations of young volunteers who will act as “Santa Claus” and bring gifts to orphans, hospitals and community houses. How can it be submitted? Before Christmas Eve, young Vietnamese people often present their friends and relatives beautiful and cute Christmas cards, small gifts, or just simple but meaningful messages via email or phones and exchange best wishes. My fiancé was there in 1971-1972. Christmas 1967 at Datum near the Cambodian Border, Don Hardy Christmas Dec.69…Central Highlands..LZ Dean(? ~Chip Schmerder (retired vet, D.O.D.) The following four photos were donated by Richard Gerard Third Squad, First Platoon, Golf Company 2/7 Marines. And, they will wake up on the morning of December 25 then find their presents in their shoes or laid under the Christmas tree. I told Will that we needed to rehearse our ‘act’ so when I called the TOC the first time, something like, ‘Lightening ops, this is Dolphin 14, about three minutes out with a VIP on board.’, There was a pause and then: ‘Dolphin 14 we don’t have any VIPs scheduled.’ That’s when Will keyed his foot switch and transmitted, ‘Ho-Ho-Ho. SGD
for all your support of this website during the past year! They WERE shiny…but smelled pretty bad…and the tree took up a list to port. NZD
Don’t remember his name, other than Will (Will, if you are on the list, my apologies… but let’s face it. This event followed Henry A. Kissinger’s October news conference in which he said, “Peace is at hand,” and President Richard Nixon’s triumphant reelection in November. Christmas is usually held in the evening December 24, or December 25 in solar calendar. Some protection. The number of Catholics originally accounts a small proportion in population in Vietnam, but Vietnam Christmas is quite peacefully held during the period of French colonialism. It helped end the Vietnam War “White Christmas” played an unusual role in the Vietnam conflict. ( Log Out / Vietnamese children believe that Santa Clause will pop in their houses and put gifts in their shoes hang in front of doors on Christmas Eve. When bombing resumed on 26 December, they put up strong resistance. Vietnam National Day not only marks the turning point in the history of the nation, but also takes a great significance strongly impacting patriotism, independence struggles of oppressed people worldwide. Regardless of what you thought about the Vietnam war, the fact is 2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam, representing almost 10% of their (very large) generation. See our Cookie and Privacy policies for more information. 174th AHC Merry Christmas. I don’t know where you get all these pictures, but keep them coming. Once the “White Christmas” signal was given to launch the exodus, codenamed Operation Frequent Wind, Americans and their Vietnamese allies assembled at pre-arranged locations to … Were we a bright group or what? The song balances the fear and sadness of the soldiers’ plight in the war with the unrest of the Civil Rights movement back home. The purposes of the festival are to commemorate the merits of Hung Kings and celebrities in the course of building the country. I have a tendency to add more pictures as I come across them. CAD
DKK
'Christmas in Vietnam' Released in 1966 by Johnny and Jon, “Christmas in Vietnam” tells the story of loneliness that was experienced by thousands of African American soldiers fighting in Vietnam at Christmas time. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and spent a year there. We took some of the early computer punch cards and folded, stapled, strung and painted them our Da Nang Dog Handlers had the only hooch decorated with a wreath and garland for Christmas in 1968. Bn., Phu Bai, RVN. I sure didn’t need to stay around the company area and gaze on the already brown Christmas tree that one of the crews had cut down about two weeks before. Produced for broadcast on Victorian television by the Australian Army Directorate of Public Relations. )Me on the left and Mike Steele on the right, Eloy Sanchez Christmas 69 @ Liberty Bridge w/ L3/5, Bu Dop, South Vietnam, December, 1967: Spec. Screen dump of a video game showing a 1st Cav Christmas in Vietnam, IF YOU HAVE A CHRISTMAS THEMED PICTURE OF YOUR TIME IN VIETNAM AND WANT TO INCLUDE IT IN THIS ARTICLE – PLEASE SEND ME THE FILE AND DESCRIPTION VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE. I was 18 years old and assigned to Battery A, 7th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division.