Easter in Vietnam - 1971

Easter in Vietnam was like any other day. The causalities continued to come in and we continued to do our jobs. I guess the only difference was that I received a large Easter package with candies and stuffed Rabbits.

There was a guy, Albert Wahl, who I had met in the early days in either Basic or Advanced Training. We didn’t really know each other very well but we did fly in the same plane from Chicago to Omaha after advanced training and from Omaha to San Francisco after our leave as we began our journey to Vietnam. Anyway, my mom met his family at the airport after we got on the plane to San Francisco. His was a very large family with about 10-12 kids and mine had 8. They lived in a small town, about 40 minutes from Omaha in Greenwood, NE. So, at Easter and Halloween the families got together and did Easter Baskets, Halloween trick or treat bags, etc. and sent them to us. (He was stationed elsewhere in Vietnam.) I also had worked for a restaurant in Omaha and they also sent large food packages especially at the holidays. Packages and mail were taken to our worksite as was the practice and there always seemed to be anticipation of what I was now receiving by my fellow GI’s.

At Easter I received the Easter package that resulted in lot’s of laughs, sharing of candy and Easter stories. Soon the stuffed bunnies were treated for head injuries and had their heads wrapped in gauze or had other injuries that were treated much the same way. They were then left in our small area outside the ER for any patient or staff to see as well as the candy to be shared by staff and patients. About a week later the stuffed bunnies and other stuffed animals had healed, bandages were removed and they headed off with the nurses as they went to a nearby orphanage to treat sick children where they would remain.I have had many, many Easters in my life but none that brings such fond memories.

I cannot put into words what this one Easter meant to me or how much it touched my heart and my being. I guess if there was every truly a Happy Easter for me, this was the one.