He's the Vietnamese born owner of the nail shop I occasionally go for a pedicure. I have a real desire to take him for lunch, coffee, anything.
What's interesting is that he was born near Hanoi and came here. I chatted with him briefly. I like his business and he's definitely an American.
I see the real irony of an old man sitting with a young man that has a grandfather that 55 years ago I was training to kill and enjoying the young man's company.
I think that would be very satisfying for me in my old age.
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Update. the above part was written some time ago and has not been posted.
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Today I got up my nerve and jumped in the pickup and headed to his shop. He was there. Language was not a problem. His English is excellent for an immigrant. Total vocabulary and very slight accent.
"Do you remember me from about a month ago when we talked about you coming to the States from Hanoi?" I asked.
He had.
Do you understand what it means for something to go full circle? Kind of go around and you end up close to where you started?" I asked. I think he was wondering where this was going so I blurted it out.
"Over fifty years ago I was about your age wearing a United States Army uniform training hard to learn to kill people like your grandfather. I would love to come full circle and enjoy a meal, coffee, anything with one of their grandchildren. Could I take you to lunch sometime?" I asked.
I could have knocked him over with a feather but he recovered and hugged me like a bride that had been proposed to.
I now have a lunch planned with the young man.
I'm honored.
I love things that go full circle.
Wonderful! I am a Vietnam vet, and have worked with a few Vietnamese, who have stories to tell that can make your hair curl. To a man these folks are true American patriots who dearly love this country. I have zero animosity to them, and like you would love to break bread with one and bring full closure to the circle. May the circle be unbroken.
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