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A day of mixed emotions
Today was a day of mixed emotions but one of the most enjoyable days so far.
We kicked off with a visit to the 315 year old Thien An pagoda. The resident monks shared some time with us explaining the history of the pagoda, its traditions and the ensemble of monks' tombs chronologically built over the centuries. Plenty of old stuff to see and photograph.
Our next stop was to the tiny hamlet of My Lai in the Son My village - the scene of the infamous My Lai massacre which took place in 1968 during the Vietnam War. Up to 500 unarmed civilians - women, children (including babies) and elderly were raped, beaten, tortured and mutilated by US Army soldiers who were sent in with a 'kill anything that moves' order.
One soldier who was at My Lai was quoted in 1973 as stating that he saw no one who could have been considered to be of military age. He also stated that the US troops in My Lai met no resistance. An army photographer, Ronald Haeberie, witnessed a US soldier shoot two young boys who he believed were no more than five years of age. Other photos taken at the scene of the massacre show bodies of what can only be very young children.
While 26 US soldiers were initially charged with criminal offenses for their actions at Mỹ Lai, only Second Lieutenant William Calley platoon leader in Charlie Company, was convicted. Found guilty of killing 22 villagers, he was originally given a life sentence, but only served three and a half years under house arrest.
We finished off with a 70 kilometre ride to Hoi An. It was another muddy day on the bike. But great fun. Lots of photos. Maybe some video?!
Group stack number 4 today. Dog meets cyclist. Cyclist meets road. A bit of bark missing from her elbow and knee but nothing too serious.
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