| Lt. Reise and Sergeant Tinh |
| Steven Petz, Ralph Keiper and ???? |
| Roger Kriz, Stephen Petz, Ralph Keiper, ????, Sgt Plummer, ???? |
| Captain Brockway |
| ???? and Stephen Petz |
| Roger Kriz, Stephen Petz, Ralph Keiper, ????, Sgt Plummer, ???? |
| Vu-Lan Celebration |
Vietnam, Engineers Share Fate by SP5 Harry Huntingen(?) Field Correspondent LONG BIHN (79th Gp) - The yellow dump trucks were parked with banners and flags hung between them. An altar was decorated with flags, candles and burning incense. Symbolic plates of crab meat, egg and rice passed in front of three cups of water and dirt. The sound of a Buddhist monk praying and ringing a handmade bell This was the celebration of the Buddhist Vu Lan Ceremony, similar to the Catholic celebration of All Souls Day. Thirty Vietnamese dump truck drivers who drive for the 104th Engineer Company (DT) wanted to share their day of celebration with their American friends, so they literally brought their party to work with them. The monk read aloud the story of the Vu Lan Ceremony while an Army of the Republic of Vietnam interpreter, Sergeant Tinh explained it in English. As the legend goes, long ago a young girl named Muc Lien lamented the death of her mother, Thanh De. The recently departed woman had been doomed to live as a water buffalo in the after-life because of her greediness. But because of her daughter's devotion and faith, Thank De was pardoned. Later, when the Chinese began their migration south to this country, they named their home Vietnam and continued to celebrate Vu Lan with prayer and great feasting. The monk closed the sacred book and began throwing rice in the wind. Then the American guests were invited to participate by placing burning incense on the altar. A final prayer was said for the safety of each Vietnamese and American driver. The ceremony was over and the altar soon became a banquet table. A final exchange of good wishes was made with the help of interpreter Tinh. First Lieutenant Ken Reise of St. Louis, MO congratulated the men on their fine driving and maintenance record. "I just want to express my personal thanks to each and everyone of you. I hope in the months ahead we can continue working and learning together. |
