Along the old DMZ zone in Vietnam, the war is still being played out, this time between the tourists. The battle is played out in the pages of the Visitors Book at Khe San, the notorious battle site outside of Quang Tri where the Marines were under siege by the North Vietnamese for over four months in 1968 during the Tet Offensive. The government memorial proclaims a victory for the North Vietnamese Army – a notion disputed by Americans. Lying in the back, behind bomb remnants, pictures of Americans “fleeing in fright!” (boarding a carrier during Operation Charlie), and mannequins of VietCong women sewing a flag ala Betsy Ross, is the visitors comment book. Which reads like an international high school slam book:
“Never trust an American – they speak with fork (sic) tongue, Vietnamese, you guys rock!” – Jeff, from “The World.”
[Underneath the previous message]: “FUCK YOU,” – USA
Let’s be clear. Khe San was a horrific, long battle. And the wounds have yet to heal for many people [From militaryhistory.com: Lasting 77 days, the “siege” of Khe Sanh saw American and South Vietnamese forces suffer 703 killed, 2,642 wounded, and 7 missing. North Vietnamese losses are not known with accuracy but are estimated at between 10,000-15,000 dead and wounded].
It gets worse. For more fighting words and pics of the pages, continue after the jump.
“What an interesting and stirring story of the Peoples victory over the imperialist forces. I feel no shame, no remorse… I only wish the South would have been as motivated to keep the country as the North was to steal it. Sorry about all the others and spending and wasting my tax dollars and the good men here. Semper Fi” – USMC
“I come to pay my profound respects to my friend Donald D. Perkins, 1st Lt. USMC, killed in action here at Khe San, 1968, R.I.P.” – Herbert W. Hoover III.
“Let this be a lesson to Americans and war mongers everywhere – stay home!” – Kate.
[Underneath this message]: “Fuck you too,” – Anonymous
“I only pray for forgiveness… We were all so young. Much loss, beyond the loss of death” – Larry Ball, USMC 70-71.
“The Vietnamese lie!” – UK.
“Let it be known that the marines and soldiers who fought here NEVER lost the base to the Vietnamese… they successfully repelled the Tet offensive attack… let us never forget the fallen and how evil and senseless this war was. Semper Fi!” – Timothy Miklos, USMC
“Props to the VC and Vietnamese people. Never have I met such resilient people!” – Anonymous.
“Those that sign notes about the bravery of the Americans who served and died here only embarrass themselves and portray their ignorance.” – “Doc” Bailey (1965).
“Well done – the Yanks got their butts kicked! Long live Vietnam” – Rob Allwood.
“Whoever wrote (the above) is a faggot” – Anonymous.
“It is good to be back… However I have already lost two pairs of shoes listening to the interpreter tell us how things ‘really’ were” – William Ross, Capt. USA.
“If you are going to tell the story you should tell the truth” – Allen Kent, USMC, Vietnam, 67-68; 75.
“Hell looks different now” – Anonymous.
“I can’t believe some of the comments from Americans in this book. Have some respect for the pride of the people whose country you decimated… you should be thankful that any of you are ever permitted to visit this country…” – Steve Higgins, Australia.
[With an arrow pointing to the previous message]: “If you haven’t walked the walk, you can’t talk the talk, Mr. Aussie Asshole” – Ed Garr, Capt. USMC, 69-70.
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