LIKE SO MANY OF US AMERICANS, THE WAR IS my point of reference for Vietnam. The country felt like this faraway land where many Americans fought and died.
My dad, Colonel Frank Underwood Sr., fought in the Vietnam War. He's 92 now and still looking good. He was there for a year but was injured a month in and received the Purple Heart.
In his later years, my father has become more introspective and emotional. He chokes up whenever he thinks about Vietnam: what he saw and the relationships he had with fellow soldiers, but also the Vietnamese people and the friends he made there.
I remember hearing from him that it was a very difficult war, fighting on their terrain and in the jungle, an environment very different to what us Americans are used to.
The Vietnam War has always been a conversation in my family, so I was fascinated by the fact that it is now a destination for vacation. It felt like an oxymoron in my head.
My wife Josie and I were celebrating our first anniversary on June 24, 2024. We have nine kids between us; her six and me three.
I would always take my kids on international trips each summer. I think the seed of travel was planted in me from a young age. I was an Army brat because my dad was in the military, so we traveled at least every two years.
After my earlier divorce, I wanted to keep a sense of continuity as I transitioned to my new life, so we booked this special family trip to Vietnam.
When I told my dad we were heading to Vietnam, I was surprised by his reaction. I thought he'd say: "What are you thinking?"
As he listened, he thought about it and said: "I gotta tell you, it's always been a beautiful place-a tropical paradise. It's sometimes hard to see that through the fog of war, which is hell and a lot of death."
I really did not know what to expect from Vietnam. Neither did Josie or the kids. But it was amazing from start to finish.
Esta historia es de la edición August 02 - 09, 2024 (Double Issue) de Newsweek US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 02 - 09, 2024 (Double Issue) de Newsweek US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Terry Crews
FOR TERRY CREWS, THERE ARE NO RULES.
Carrie Coon
CARRIE COON IS HAVING A MOMENT, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT RECognize her.
Still Doin' It Well
Ahead of the release of his new album, The FORCE, LL Cool J told Newsweek of his strong desire to keep contributing to the hip-hop culture he helped create
WORLD'S MOST TRUSTWORTHY COMPANIES 2024
TRUST IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY RELATIONSHIP-FROM PERsonal relationships to ties between businesses and consumers.
HOPE and HEALING on HORSEBACK
IT'S BEEN A DECADE SINCE ISIS COMMITTED GENOCIDE AGAINST IRAQ'S YAZIDI POPULATION. MORE THAN 100,000 YAZIDIS REMAIN DISPLACED BUT WORKERS AND ANIMALS AT AN EQUINE THERAPY CENTER ARE PROVIDING RELIEF
Is College Worth It?
AMERICANS are LOSING FAITH in HIGHER EDUCATION amid RISING TUITION FEES, UNCERTAIN PAYOFF and CULTURE WARS on CAMPUS
An integrated model for water management
Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies has deep expertise and synergistic capabilities across the full water and wastewater value chain
Investments that are transforming life in Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company is creating distinctive destinations and experiences that encompass multiple sectors
A Kinder and Gentler Nick Cave
After a period of personal upheaval, the famed Bad Seeds singer returns with the vibrant and optimistic 'Wild God'
Fleeing War and Scams
Newsweek spoke to three Ukrainians who have been targeted by \"sponsors\" trying to profit from applicants seeking refuge in the U.S. via a humanitarian scheme