The Kid

A Vietnamese driver brought in an American woman who, as I remember, was suffering from and Asthma attack . Along with them was the woman's son who was around 10 years old or so. The woman was in the ER being treated and the son remained in the small waiting room outside the ER. Her husband was apparently some big American contractor and she and her son came with him to Vietnam. The woman was calling for her driver and I remember this really irritating one of the GI's on duty with me that night. Again, if I remember correctly he felt it should be her husband with her and he became irriated with the situation.

While she was in the ER the kid got really talkative. He started talking about being home schooled, their house in Saigon, how big and nice it was and how they had everything. Then he starts to talk about the American's and GI's. He stated something to the effect that we had no business being in Vietnam and the more he said the more insulting it became and the more irritated we became.  At one point one of the GI's became so irritated he started to really take on this kid. It was so upsetting to all of us. Here we are in a war zone treating our wounded brothers, taking care of our dead and this spoiled, rude and ignorant kid comes in and tells us we don't belong, etc. At one point I actually thought one of the GI's was really going to go after this kid.

In the end, his mother was treated and they left. Me and my fellow GI's were so hurt by what this Kid said and how he thought he could treat us. I always wondered why a Contractor would bring his family into a war zone but I guess in the end money talks and the "Kid" probably was only saying what his mother and father were saying while they were bringing in big bucks. I wonder how he turned out as an adult and suspect that he grew up and is someone I am glad I don't know or have to be around. He is probably and uncaring adult who only thinks of himself and money and to hell with those who risk their lives and give their all to make sure he, his family and all Americans are safe.