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April 30, 2025
Send us a text April 30, 1971 — First Day, Last Flight In this letter from April 30, 1971, my father has just arrived at Bien Hoa after a long journey to Vietnam. It’s his first full day on base, and already he’s soaking in the surreal details: air-conditioned hooches, stereo systems, steak dinners, and a stuffed chickadee perched five inches from his pillow. The comforts may seem striking—especially compared to what many endured during the war—but they don’t diminish the weight of his role. A...