Many people in my life know what a procrastinator I am. When my folks came to visit in October, my parents gave me a book to read. They Marched into Sunlight, by David Maraniss. It is about the build up to and the two separate events on October 17 and 18, 1967. One is a protest on the campus on of University of Wisconsin and the other is a battle in the jungles of Vietnam. Maraniss is attempting to compare and contrast the peace movement and the war in Vietnam. Or at least that is my guess. I have just started to read the book today.
My dad and mother are headed to Vietnam in mid February. The goal was to have the book read prior to their trip. My father did two tours in Vietnam, one being in 1967. They spent a week last spring doing an in depth study of Vietnam at my Dad’s alma mater Washington and Lee University. My father even had a presentation of his experience as a soldier. Maraniss’ book was used this past spring. This alumni college is followed up by a trip to the country that discussed.
I anticipated being a rather phenomenal and emotional experience for my father being back in Vietnam. My folks gave me the book so that I could potentially have a better understanding of my Dad’s experience at that time and my mother’s experience back in the states with small children.
They have checked a few times to see if I have started the book but have stopped. I will get it read...
Greg: You're next read should be David Lamb's "Vietnam, Now A Reporter's Return" Public Affairs, New York, 2002. It may give you a leg up on our visit.
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