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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. As ...