Spent yesterday visiting a number of battlefields and war memorials in Dak To and Dak Seang. Hired a very good guide, with a private driver. Terry had researched Mr. Huynh, who is a former village militia member from the Kon Tum area during the war. He is very knowledgeable of the military actions of both US and NVA forces in the Central Highlands. Mr. Huynh speaks very good English and was very open about the various aspects of living in the current Vietnam. We visited a number of war memorials during the day, all dedicated to the winners of the war. It is not allowed to recognize the actions of the South Vietnamese Army. We had lunch at a small, family run café. This was our first real experience eating where only the locals eat. Very good food, lots of various veggies, rice , three different mystery meats and tea, $2.50. After lunch, we visited the former Special Forces camp at Dak Seang, where a two week siege resulted in over 896 NVA KIA’s in ground action and another 472 by air strikes. 1 American advisor and 1 Australian advisor were killed on the ground and 11 Air Force personnel were killed when three aircraft were shot down during re-supply missions. Trieng villagers who moved back into the area after the war ended, report sightings of groups of soldiers moving through the rubber plantation that now covers the site at night. There is a large amount of unexploded ordinance still littering the area. A strange since of peace was present, even though there was so much bloodshed on the site. Kon Tum has been a very good experience. Not too busy, but lots of good energy here. Excellent experience after the bad one at Buon Ma Thout. Wonderful family runs the hotel. They have met our every need and gone out of their way to make our stay a memorable one. Hate to get on the bus this afternoon, but the road North is calling.
Rick