Peaceful Time vs. Times of War

Peaceful Time

This picture is capturing peaceful time in Vietnam.

In the serene and tranquil backgrown of a farm

people are working on the land, talking to a friend,

straightening their back, or having a little rest.

There is no sign of poverty, anguish, or grief.

Vienamese are working hard to earn money and

pursue their own happiness.

Times of War

This is a famous picture that spread out during the Vietnam War

which afflicted many people, arousing tough sensations toward the war.

A boy, no more than 10 years old, is begging for money on the street.

Beside him, a little baby brother is lying in a ragged box.

The boy is taking care of the baby when

he himself needs care and love.

Maybe his parents died in a fight or barrage of gunshots.

This was the time of war,

and you probably could have seen this kind of scene everywhere

throughout the country.

Vietnam War Mural

Black Anguish

By Jessica Kim

This mural of Vietnam War describes the brutal fighting and suffering

of the soldiers and innocent citizens of Vietnam.

I chose the black and white pictures to show that the war was a complete blackout

for the people involved in the war,

and that the world surrounding the war seemed to have no hope.

The picture at the top right hand corner is depicting

the Vietnamese children desperately crying for help.

It is a heart breaking scene.

They seem so helpless, needing peace and comfort.

In the middle, I put the memorial picture.

The sign of peace reflects in the yellow flower.

The war is over for the people whose names are engraved in the Virtual Wall.

They may rest in peace.

Reflections From Both Sides

The man wearing the suit is touching the Virtual Wall.
Inside the wall, several soldiers are watching this man.
The old man seems to be picturing and reminiscing about the soldiers
he had been fighting with during the Vietnam War.
I guess he is the only survivor of the war among his peers
since he looks very sorry as he is touching the wall with dead soldiers' names.
The soldiers in the wall seems to be trying to sooth
the man because he is feeling guilty that he is the only one to survive the fight.

I would feel terrible if
the people next to me all die leaving their families behind
and only I survive at the most.
But then, the passed ones would want me to live my life more fully, ever more.

Now I'm concluding that the man in the suit
is promising his comrades that he will live like he would die tomorrow
that he will live for their heart and soul.

The Vietnam War Memorial

My soldier's name is Edward Y. C. Kim.

He is honored on Panel 4E,

Row 92 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
He was born on December 27, 1930,

a day right after my birthday.

The date of casualty is January 25, 1966,

one month after his own birthday.
He died in South Vietnam,

when he was only 33 years old.

Edward's hometown is Wahiwawa, Hawaii.

I thought he was a Korean because

he had Korean common last name, "Kim."

My last name is also Kim

that I was attatched to Edward.

I thought he was somewhat related to me.

How would the families have felt
when they heard of his death...
Edward was only 33 years old.

Wouldn't he have lots of things to do in his life?

However, it just ended in a world

without his family and friends.

In a world with enemies and hatred

surrounding his whole body, his life ended like that.