Click to join the conversation with over 500,000 Pentecostal believers and scholars
Click to get our FREE MOBILE APP and stay connected
| PentecostalTheology.com
This play is written for two reasons. The first is to honor the memory of those American servicemen who died fighting in the Vietnam War. The second is to be an encouragement to the American patriotic spirit. That is a thing that has come under tremendous assault in recent years via the ascendency of the cultural Marxism that has captured our educational institutions and the juggernaut of Woke politics and beliefs.
To that end I encourage churches and civic groups to stage this play for 4th of July celebrations and other patriotic occasions, such as Veteran’s Day. If there is no charge for admission to these performances, I wave any fee. However, if the The Sorrow of Anita Gunn is staged for profit or there is a charge for admission, I expect the usual 10% royalty on receipts.
The Sorrow of Anita Gunn:
On How Ancient Dead White Men Spoke Wisely to
the Moral Issues of the Present
© 2024 William L. De Arteaga
Cast of Characters in order of appearance
Mrs. Anita Gunn Crioni
Eddy (grandson)
Dr. Bill Crioni
Specialist John Gunn
Dr. Perry Clies
Mrs. Nancy Clies
Specialist Bob Koger
Mrs. Ellen Koger
Sleeping man
Artillery Officer (voice only)
Sargent Thomas
Master Sargent Stevens
Major Williams
Corporal Mensajero
Soldier #1
Sargent José Rodriguez
Corporal Crito
Alice
Student protestors (2)
Mr. Harris
The scenery is as sparse as possible. Simple painted backgrounds will suffice.
At the extreme left side of the stage there is a “changing station” where alternate clothing and wigs are hung. The station is separated from the rest of the stage by a hanging curtain placed to separate it from the action of the play but also so that the audience can see the actors change costumes. This allows actors to play double roles:
Dr. CRIONI Crione = Major Williams
Sleeping man = Corporal Mensajero
Master Sargent Stevens = Mr. Harris
Corporal Crito = Radical student #2
Soldiers = students, and later audience at dedication service
ACT I
Scene 1
ANITA Gunn is in her eighties. Her hair is white, and she walks with a cane. EDDY, her grandson walks behind her. They are walking slowly along the Vietnam memorial wall.
ANITA
Oh, here it is, right here. Specialist John Gunn.
EDDY
(Looking at the spot on the wall carefully)
He was a hero, silver star, isn’t that right, Grammy?
ANITA
Yes. I suppose it is better to say all of these were also heroes. And wise men too.
(giggles).
But few people understand that.
EDDY
Wise? How?
ANITA
Oh, I learned that from an old professor. Yes, I really think the wall should be called the wall of the wise.
EDDY
Oh, how so?
ANITA
I’ll explain that at lunch.
EDDY
- So, how close were you to him?
ANITA
Oh very. As close as brother and sister could be, I guess. Even when we disagreed on the War. We had some long telephone conversation of the war just before he enlisted. We disagreed but it never got nasty. Funny, after the war ended and the bad things happened in Cambodia, and with the boat people, I started to think that maybe he was right. I never got to tell him, “Oh maybe you were right.” That was so long ago.
(Scene fades out)
Act I scene 2
At the CRIONI’s home.
The main door is to the left of the stage, with the living room taking up most of the stage, and a dining table towards the right of the stage. A kitchen counter is at the far right.
As the scene opens. John rings the bell. He is in his summer class A uniform and has a duffle bag at his side. CRIONI CRIONI walks to the door and opens it.
JOHN
Hi.
CRIONI
Oh hi. Come in, we were expecting you.
JOHN
(coming in with his duffle bag and places it just to the side of the door)
Thanks, great to be here.
CRIONI
(shouting towards the kitchen)
ANITA, JOHN made it in.
(to JOHN)
Make yourself at home. Have a seat. I’ll get you a drink.
JOHN
Thanks, I’m fine
(goes to sofa and sits)
CRIONI
(seating on the opposite side of the sofa)
My, you have lost a lot of weight. The Army SOBs must have been brutal to you.
JOHN
Well, I was careless in my life. Too many doughnuts, and I paid for it in basic. It was rough, really rough, but I would not use the word brutal. Fat soldiers don’t do well in combat.
(ANITA rushes in wearing an apron over her dress. JOHN stands up and he and ANITA hug)
ANITA
Oh wow, you look great!
JOHN
Yeah. The special Army weight reduction program. Hope to keep it this way.
CRIONI
Was anybody killed in basic? I’ve heard stories.
JOHN
No, but I guess some of us wished we were dead at times, but I got through it, and looking good for the girls.
CRIONI
Look, I know you guys have a lot to talk about. Let me go to my office and make some calls I have to do right now.
(CRIONE stands and exits right)
ANITA
I’m just finishing fixing dinner, maybe you can put a few pounds back while you stay with us. Have a seat while I finish up.
(pointing to table and chairs near kitchen counter as she goes behind the counter).
I’ll show you to the guest room after dinner. The bathroom is down the hall.
JOHN
I’m fine. This is really a nice place.
ANITA
Yes, very cozy. We still have some boxes with stuff from our move. CRIONI has been very busy with his teaching schedule, and his activist thing with the student protestors takes all his free time. So it’s been up to me to unpack. He has really gone full out into the anti-War thing. I’ve prayed you and him don’t get into it over the war.
JOHN
I’ll try to keep cool and quiet.
ANITA
You know, I will be going to mass for you every day when you are in Vietnam.
JOHN
Thanks Sis. I really appreciate that.
ANITA
I made glazed chicken just for you. It’s in the oven.
JOHN
You remembered, thank you much.
ANITA
You know. I noticed in your letters and when we talk on the phone that you don’t mention God anymore. So, what happened to your thoughts of becoming a priest?
JOHN
Well,
(chuckle)
For one thing there was Carolyn, I sent you pictures of her?
ANITA
Yes.
JOHN
And then at the University with Maria. And some classes I had.
ANITA
I understand about your girlfriends and priesthood, so maybe you never had that vocation. What do you mean about the classes?
JOHN
I was hoping we would not have this conversation. I mean, I love the way you have maintained your faith … And aunt Maria, our super nun, super person. Well, but you asked.
ANITA
Yes.
JOHN
Let me explain it this way. We grew up in a Catholic neighborhood where everyone we knew or trusted, and almost everyone, believed in God, the saints, holy water, and all that. But at the university here I met some folks who were also ethically good, and many of them had no faith in God, and many were very reasonable. I had a roommate who was smart, really smart, and we had some tremendous discussions. I could argue from the doctrine, and say things like, “You’ll find out when you die.” He would laugh at that. But the point is I could never point to a real experience that there was a supernatural world. I mean, did we every see as we grew up anyone healed by prayer or raised from the dead in all our years in church? It was in the Bible, but not in our church. We lit candles to St. Anne, said roseries when Mon was dying of cancer.
(shrugging in a negative gesture)
She died. So, what I’m saying, I guess he changed me over to be an agnostic. I mean, maybe God does exist, but I’ve never seen the evidence.
ANITA
What about the saints, they did healings.
JOHN
Yeah sure, like St George and the Dragon? Come on.
(making a dismissive gesture).
And that stuff that couldn’t be true.
ANITA,
They have taken him off the calendar of saints.
JOHN
Or really, slaying the dragon slayer? Ha!
ANITA
You were so close to God in high school.
JOHN
Yep, I remember. Hey, let’s get off that. I guess we haven’t seen each other in four years. I was freshman here the year after you folks moved out to New Mexico.
ANITA
That’s right… So how many days do you have before they ship you out.
JOHN
Twenty-seven days.
CRIONI
(walking)
Twenty-seven days? That will give you some time to think things out. Look, I have contacts that will make it easy for you to go to Canada and start of new life.
JOHN
I volunteered. I’m not interested.
CRIONI
Oh, OK, sorry. Maybe we can have some conversation on that. ANITA says they put you in the artillery.
JOHN
Yeah, I was good at math, not so strong in my arms, but training took care of that. I can lift a 105 round OK now.
CRIONI
To kill Vietnamese villagers…
JOHN
Ahh…That’s unfair.
ANITA
Hey. Please. Dinner is ready. Time to be non-political.
(JOHN and CRIONI walk to the table as ANITA brings the large salad bowl. The table is set with salad bowls and a loaf of bread.)
The chicken and potatoes are still in the oven. Let’s start with salad, but I want us to say a grace. I was hoping JOHN would say it, but I guess I should.
JOHN
No problem, I’ll say it in honor of our aunt.
ANITA
Great.
JOHN
Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which you have provided…uh.. from thy bounty through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
(everyone begin eating)
CRIONI
You know your cousin Brendon was killed in the war last month.
JOHN
(with a mouthful of salid)
I didn’t know.
CRIONI
One more good soldier wasted protecting a corrupt government.
ANITA
Bill, please…
JOHN
You know history doesn’t always give you the perfect hand to play. Like in World War II. England and France went to war to protect Poland from Nazi invasion. Now, you may not know it as a sociologist, but the Polish Government was not democratic, it was aristocratic and authoritarian, not nice. But things happened so quickly that English reporters didn’t go to Poland to snoop around and write how bad the Polish government was. All the news was about how heroically they fought, and stuff. So… I believe fighting for the South Vietnamese is important to stop Communism, as trying to fight for the Poles was important against the Nazis.
CRIONI
Oh, don’t give me that anti-Communists bull. The War is about GM and Boing and the armaments establishment getting fat contracts. Johnson is their pawn.
ANITA
(distressed look)
Please…
JOHN
You could run that accusation on Lincoln and say the Civil War was fought to make money for the war contractors.
ANITA
Please, let’s try to keep things non-political at dinner. This is upsetting me.
CRIONI
Ok, OK.
(pause)
You know next week the Bulldogs will be playing. I can get you and ANITA tickets. I have some important things to do that weekend.
JOHN
Oh, thanks for the tickets. That will be fun. I also plan on dropping by and seeing Dr. CLIES. He was my favorite professor. In fact, he wrote me while I was in training, he offered to put me up in my leave time. Do you know him?
CRIONI
I know of him. A reactionary sort. A dinosaur soon to be retired. A few of the students like him.
JOHN
(with increasing irritation)
I don’t see how you can call him reactionary. He seemed to be an FDR democrat, and tried to teach history fairly.
CRIONI
Yeah, That’s all part of the traditional anti-communist BS.
ANITA
Can we please…
CRIONI
- Back to football, where violence is appropriate, I suppose. Have you followed the Dogs this year?
JOHN
No time for it. I was never into the Dogs full time. I went to a few games with Maria and had a really good time, and the parties after. And I do appreciate your ticket offer, but like, I was never a fanatic.
CRIONI
But now you’re a fanatic anti-communist.
ANITA
Bill, No.
JOHN
(increasing irritation)
I think the opposition to Communism every bit as important as the war against Fascism, which was led by someone you would smear as reactionary, Churchill. My father died in that war and ANITA and I are very proud of him.
CRIONI
(angry)
My god, you’re parroting the Pentagon BS line. Why don’t you think for yourself. Think of the thousands of innocent Vietnamese massacred by the artillery you are going to join.
JOHN
(standing, losing his temper and shouting)
You asshole! It’s you who are not thinking. What do you think will happen if the Communist win! Look at the massacres in Russia and China and Tibet. Why isn’t there a protest movement on Tibet?
ANITA
(covering her face with her hands)
My God!
JOHN
You’re a complete asshole and jerk! You are the one who is parroting the SDS line. You’re a jerk!
CRIONI
(shouting back)
That’s it. You’re out of her, quick! I’m going to my study and do a call, and when I get back, I don’t want to see you or your bag anywhere around.
(exits to right)
ANITA
God…I was afraid this might happen. But so soon.
JOHN
(collapsing in his chair)
I… I… I’m sorry Sis. I lost it.
ANITA
I apologize for Bill. He has taken the anti-war movement as if it’s the only thing in life.
(pause)
I’ll pay for your ticket to go to New York and stay with Uncle Fred.
JOHN
Thanks for the offer. Right now, I am going to visit professor CLIES. He offered to host me a few days. So I’ll hang out there, and maybe we can have breakfast or lunch together at the Waffle House or something.
ANITA
Yes, of course, and I need to take you shopping for a Christmas present I missed. And, to think of it. Dr. CLIES has a reputation for being a strong Evangelical, maybe you can talk with him about your lost faith.
JOHN
I’ve already had that conversation with him. He knows where I stand. He says he will pray for me. That’s fine. But I’ll take you up on the offer about the bus to New York.
(Standing and walking to his duffel bag and goes to the door, ANITA follows and hugs him)
ANITA
I’m sorry. I thought this might happen, but not so sudden.
JOHN
(JOHN exiting)
I’ll call when I’m settled as Professor CLIES.
(scene fades)
Act I
Scene 3
At the Home of Professor Perry CLIES and his wife Nancy. At the dinner table, with a cake half and dishes with the remnants of a meal
JOHN
Dinner was terrific Mrs. Clies, thank you.
Nancy
You are quite welcome. More of the same to come.
JOHN
Looking forward.
(pause)
Doctor, what is your latest project?
CLIES
Well, I always have several things going on at one time. And I occasionally even have one published. I am writing a novel, which is fun since you don’t have to worry if the footnotes are correct. It’s about Bismarck.
(chuckling).
But I think my most important project now is an article on the meaning of World War I.
JOHN
Hey, that sounds interesting, tell me.
CLIES
Well, there is a school of thought saying that World War I was a total waste and America should never have taken part. That is now generally accepted in academia. I am disagreeing, and putting together reasons on why it was important that we interviewed to prevent a German victory. Now, the whole argument is obscured because Wilson’s goal, to end all wars, and make the world safe for democracy was unrealistic, and since those things did not happen, the war was, in that sense, a failure. You know Wilson was a devote Christian, and should have known better that goal was impossible.
JOHN
So, what should be a realistic goal of war, if you are a Christian? I’m an agnostic, but I always sensed that the way you taught… there was something… interesting and special about your perspective. So, what in your opinion are the Christian goals of war? Is that an oxymoron?
CLIES
Well, let me answer the first part first, which I have thought through in my article. Germany at the outbreak of World War One – now I have to say this in a nuanced way – was “Nazi lite” under the Kaiser. The Kaiser himself was not antisemitic and protected the Jews, but there was a tremendous amount of popular antisemitism among all classes in Germany. Further there was a widespread belief in the racial superiority of the Arien people and a contempt for the Slavic peoples, especially the Poles. You know, Bismark has special contempt for the Poles.
JOHN
I didn’t know. So, had Germany won, you think, it could have become a Nazi state under a different name?
CLIES
Exactly, that is speculative, but certainly a major possibility, and my article will make the argument for it. Now, Wilson was a racist himself about the Negroes, so he had no idea of this dimension of the war. But I believe God used him providentially to prevent German victory. I can’t say that in the article of course. No academic journal would accept that. But here is the second part of my argument. You know, victory leads to admiration and imitation. A German victory and dominance in Europe would have cultivated admires in the United States and stopped any sort of civil rights progress. We would have wound up with Jim Crow in all of the states, I think. Perhaps even worse, as in the repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment.
JOHN
Wow… Very interesting. When will you finish the article?
CLIES
God knows, with teaching…I am not as young as I was.
(JOHN and NANCY chuckle).
Of course, the brats who fill the protest movement will not listen to any of this. They think America is guilty and foolish on all occasions. They want all wars to stop and sweetness and light and prosperity to descend in Vietnam under the Communists. Sort of an inverse Wilsonianism. A destructive assumption. No historical knowledge in that assumption. I’m glad you never bought into that.
JOHN
Ah, because I had a great American history professor. We’ll do our best to prevent a Communist takeover. Hey, but what about the Christian aim in war? What’s your opinion? Can there be such a thing?
CLIES
I’ve been giving some thought about, and possibly writing an article on that for a Christian magazine. Hum… Well, Christian theology has had a doctrine of just wars for a long time, Since Augustine, which is all about defensive wars and defending the rights of others. And World War I and World War II fit into this. But it is a different thing as to the realistic goal of war. I think this, but it does not make a good presidential speech. I think the realistic goal is to stop catastrophic evil, like the demonic evil of Nazism or the spread of Stalin’s regime, and guide or allow the enemy to return to routine sinfulness. We successfully did that to Germany and Japan after the last War.
JOHN
Interesting. Hey, what a great poster. Imagine a poster of Uncle Sam looking at you and pointing and saying.
(JOHN mimics famous ”Uncle Sam” poster)
We need YOU to bring our enemies back to routine sinfulness!
(everyone laughs)
CLIES
Yes, yes. I’ll write the White House and see if they will go along with that as publicity for the present war… But seriously, and we’ll be praying for you. Make sure you come back. I want to see you in a doctoral program. Now the anti-war types are crowding the program. Some have no real interest in academics but want to avoid the draft. They will make terrible teachers, full of ideology and self-admiration. We need people like you in the profession.
JOHN
Thank you, that means a lot to me.
NANCY
You are welcome to stay with us until you ship out.
JOHN
Thank you, that also is very meaningful to me. But I need to spend some time with family in New York. And right now, I would like to use your phone to call my old flame, Maria, and see if she is interested in seeing me. I want to wow her with the weight I have lost.
CLIES
(pointing to the phone on a stand)
I am going to do my usual nap. A wonderful institution, may do an article on the history of napping someday.
(CLIES gets up and exits right as does Mrs. CLIES. JOHN stands up, goes to the phone and reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper to read the phone number.)
JOHN
(dialing and waiting for an answer)
Hi Marie.
(pause)
I’m in town. I’m on leave before shipping out to Vietnam, I plan being in Athens a week or so.
(long pause as Marie answers)
Oh…OK.
(angry)
No, I don’t plan killing babies.
(slams phone)
Damn!
(scene phases out)
Act I
Scene 4
A Greyhound bus stop. A buss bench with KOGER and his wife Ellen huddled together. A man asleep with his face coved by a broad brimmed hat, asleep, at the opposite end of the bench. Koger is in a “class A” summer uniform with medal ribbon for “National Defense,” an Airborne badge and marksman badge. A duffle bag lies to the side of the bench.
ELLEN
(dreamily, with her head on KKOGER’s shoulder)
How much time left.
KOGER
(looks at his watch)
A couple of minutes maybe.
ELLEN
Not enough time.
KOGER
It was so great that your mom took care of Sally.
ELLEN
Yeah. It’s been heaven. Remember your promise that you won’t do anything stupid or reckless. I want you home and I don’t care even a little bit if you come home with a bunch of medals or not. I don’t even like this war.
KOGER
I am going to do my best. I think it’s important to do the best in this war regardless of what the hippies think. Hey look, I’ve explained this before. Besides artillery folks usually don’t take many casualties. So, your job is to take care of Sally and pray for me every day, and do well at school too.
ELLEN
Yes sir! But you know, this is not like World War II. I mean there are some good arguments as to why maybe we should not be there.
KOGER
Don’t listen to that hippy and commy stuff. Anyway,
(looking disturbed)
Oh shoot. I forgot to tell Pastor Bob that I won’t be at the baptism this Sunday. He’s expecting me to help and set things up. Don’t forget to call him as soon as you get in.
ELLEN
Will do.
(sound of bus coming in)
KOGER
Oh, here it comes.
(Both move to a passionate kiss, but KOGER breaks off)
I have to be an example in public and leave the heavy stuff for our bedroom.
ELLEN
No one here knows you’re a deacon here. Pastor Bob is not here. The heck with him anyway. I love you so much.
(Resume kissing,)
SLEEPING MAN
Go to it you two. I don’t see anything and I won’t tell a soul.
(scene fades)
ACT II
Scene 1.
Four months later. At the 101st long range artillery section at Camp Eagle, South Vietnam. I55 heavy guns are in the background. The personnel of the play are members of the artillery unit or of the intelligence unit attached to it. When the scrip marks “Boom” that is a 155 going off and the sound is loud. When the scrip shows “Bam” that is an incoming Katusha rocket, and the sound is less. All players where Vietnam era fatigues.
At the open:
In a sandbagged tent. With cots, ammo boxes as seats and a double ammo box as table. KOGER and JOHN playing chess. Chessboard is on the table.
KOGER
(moves a piece)
Checkmate.
JOHN
(staring at the board for a few seconds)
Oh damn. So what’s the score now?
KOGER
Ten to two.
JOHN
(looking up from the chess board)
Ok…So next topic. So, you’ve been looking really glum. What’s up?
KOGER
I guess… My wife. We had a great marriage, she is really sweet. It was hard leaving her and doing the Army thing. When I left for basic she was all about supporting me to do my duty. I mean, my 30 day leave before shipping out was even better than our honeymoon.
JOHN
Nice.
Koger
But lately she has been adding to her letters stuff about how foolish this war is, and stuff like that. That her friends in college are all against it, so she no longer mentions to them that I volunteered. That really fries me.
JOHN
I know the feeling. I had a short version of that with my ex-girlfriend. But you have always talked about… that you love her.
KOGER
Yes, I love her and am ticked off at the same time.
JOHN
I suppose that happens in every marriage for different stuff.
KOGER
Yeah. But it ticks me off right now.
(Sargent Thomas enters tent with his M-16, a rucksack, and wearing a slouch hat.)
THOMAS
Hi guys,
JOHN
Hi Sarg. You are in early.
THOMAS
Yeah, I have to see the Old Man and get chewed out.
(walking to a cot and leaving his pack on it, sits down)
KOGER
What got you in hot water?
THOMAS
I’ll tell later, after I see what happens.
(Sitting down on the cot and taking a small Bible from his breast pocket and opening it)
I’ll wait here till I get called in. Major WILLIAMS is on the phone with MAC-V now.
JOHN
Did you stop by the chow tent?
THOMAS
Yes. Thanks.
(begins reading the Bible.)
JOHN
You reading the Bible? I thought you didn’t believe in any of that stuff?
THOMAS
I changed. James, the Pentecostal kid in our team, stepped on a mine and it blew his foot off. He’ll be OK, I guess, with one of those artificial feet. As he was being medivacked out, he tossed me his Bible.
JOHN
Why to you?
THOMAS
We had an… aha… experience a week before, and I talked to him about it a lot. We deep were in Cambodia. Called in an air strike on a squad of Kama Rouge and when we moved in to check out the bodies, one was alive. He was in shock, but we patched him up to interrogate him. At camp he was tied up and in good enough shape that our translator was called in. He didn’t say much. He was just an ignorant farmer, brainwashed like all of them. So as the interrogation goes on anyway. James, across the room, starts reading his Bible. And this guy, couldn’t have been more than 90 pounds and maybe fifteen years old, explodes in anger and shouting and cursing. He stands up. Now get the picture, he is tied up, with his arms behind his back, and lunges and gives a body checks to the interpreter as if he were a 250 pound linebacker, and on his way James. It took four of us to hold him and tie him down good. He was cursing and growling with this deep weird voice. Really weird.
KOGER
Sounds like the kid had a demon. They don’t like the Bible.
THOMAS
James said that too. Before that we all thought that James was just a fanatic of some sort.
JOHN
Wow.
THOMAS
Yeah, real freaky. So, he is bound up again with extra cuffs. And after the excitement the translator begins asking questions again, and James goes back to the corner and again opens his Bible. And this kid, who almost bled to death, begins ranting again and cursing again as if he was in top condition. There was a terrible smell coming from his mouth. Worse thing I’ve smelt, really bad, coming from his mouth. So Eddy puts down his Bible, and the gyrations stop. Really freaky
KOGER
It was supernatural.
THOMAS
Yeah, that’s what I believe now. I’ve read some of the Gospels. I thought the stories about demons were all bull. Hadn’t believed in them since junior high Sunday school.
JOHN
(with an astounded look)
Wow.
THOMAS
So, after James got medivacked, I started reading his Bible. You know, we were on base two Sundays ago and I went to chapel. First time in my adult life I went to a church that wasn’t someone’s wedding. I felt a real peace there.
KOGER
So, the Lord showed you that the of stuff in the Bible about demons is real.
THOMAS
So, you know the Bible good?
KOGER
I’m deacon in my church.
THOMAS
You don’t look old enough.
KOGER
In my church you don’t have to be old.
THOMAS
Well, this demon kid made an impression on all of us.
SOLDIER
(from outside the tent)
Sargent Thomas, Major WILLIAMS will see you now.
THOMAS
On my way.
(gets up and leaves.)
JOHN
Wow.
KOGER
Makes you think.
JOHN
Yeah, wow… That was heavy stuff. Why don’t we see that sort of demon stuff in the States?
KOGER
No, it happens sometimes, but not much. C.S. Lewis had something to say on that.
JOHN
I heard the name, never read anything from him.
KOGER
Straight arrow theologian. He said that the Devil is real smart. He lays low most of the time so that people don’t believe there is a spiritual world, so they don’t have to pray or believe in God, and get saved, just like you.
JOHN
Hum… Interesting.
OFFICER
(from afar)
Fire mission!
(Koger and JOHN stand up and start for the door)
Squad one.
KOGER
Oh.
(both return to the chess board)
OFFICER
Preset point 3. Five rounds. Fire when ready.
(KOGER begins to reposition the board pieces)
KOGER
Looking for another win.
JOHN
You’ve just been lucky.
SOLDIER
(from outside)
Mail.
JOHN
(gets up and goes to the door and reaches out to get a bundle of mail)
Thanks
(returning with bundle, sits on ammo box and starts sorting the mail, laying aside several letters.)
A package for you.
(handing it to KOGER)
and a letter for me.
(First BOOM. JOHN laying aside several other letters. booms Continue, then a Bam. Koger and JOHN hit the floor facing each other. Six Bams keep on going while JOHN and KOGER open their mail on the floor).
JOHN
My sister
(Boom)
My uncle finally got married. Hum, to an older women …
KOGER
(distressed look after he opens package and starts reading mail. Angry.)
So what the hell does she want me to do!
(Bam, Bam, JOHN and KOGR slide down to the floor in prone position grasping their mail)
JOHN
What?
(Bam, Bam)
KOGER
I’m fed up with her. Look at this. This is the limit!
(showing JOHN a paperback book)
Look at this crap, “How to Get Out of Vietnam.” Galbraith. I don’t know who the heck this jerk is.
JOHN
Big time economist, was with President Kennedy I think.
KOGER
So what the hell am I supposed to do? Hijack an Airforce plane back to the Sates, or row across the ocean? I’m fed up. This is too much. Every time she writes now it’s about someone saying something bad about this war. I am going to write her and tell her she can start looking for some draft dogger, and live in Canada for the rest of her life.
(Bams end and Booms resume)
JOHN
Hey calm down. You know how the universities are nowadays. Hey, pray about what you write her.
KOGER
You saying that?
JOHN
(pause)
Habit, I think. Anyway, don’t be rash. Go to counseling when you get back home, or something.
KOGER
What’s all this to you.
JOHN
Well to tell the truth, I have envied you about her. When I first joined the unit you were all about how much you loved her and missed her. How nice she was. I’ve never had a girl as nice as that.
(both KOGER and JOHN arise and sit on their boxes)
KOGER
That was then. No, I am going to write her and tell her off. I’ve had enough.
JOHN
Don’t be so rash. You’ll regret it.
KOGER
It’s my life.
(Sgt. THOMAS returns and sits at his cot)
Did you tell Major WILLIAMS about the demon kid?
THOMAS,
No, no, he wouldn’t believe it if I told him. I messed up on something else. He chewed my rear and I lost a stripe. I’m not sorry.
KOGER
What happened? Can you tell us?
THOMAS
(thinking for a few seconds)
Yeah, It’s OK I guess Sargent Rodriguez will take over the squad. He’s good. I don’t mind a bit working under him.
JOHN
Why did you lose your stripe?
THOMAS
Yeah, well… I’m not ashamed, or anything like that. I killed a few bastards but gave away our position.
KOGER
What?
THOMAS
Our team was deep into Kam Rouge territory. We were set up 50 meters from a village crossroads, dug in and camouflaged, and were reporting back troop and supply movements. We were supposed to be there five days. On the second day a Kama lieutenant and four of his gooks come in to inspect the huts at the crossroads. He had the people lined up outside. He then goes in to search the huts. He finds this beautiful traditional woman’s dress, very colorful. You know, that’s forbidden for the Cambodians now.
JOHN
Why?
THOMAS
Because everybody in Cambodia has to dress like Mao. Dull gray stuff, even women, nothing feminine, nothing colorful. That makes everyone equal, and equally drab. So, he comes out and figures out who the dress belongs to, he starts beating the crap out of the lady. When she is down on the ground, he starts kicking her – so help me she looked like my sister. I lost it. I put a round through his eyes and then shot the other three before they figured where we were.
KOGER
Great.
THOMAS
Yeah. Four gooks dead. Except I exposed our position. We had to high tail it out to our exit point early. Then one of the gunners on the Huey that brought us out got hit by ground fire bad enough to send him Stateside. We’re supposed to observe and not engage unless we were discovered. But I think shooting those SOBs was worth a stripe. Hey, got ‘a go for a recon briefing.
(THOMAS exits).
JOHN
(looking at KOGER)
What would you have done.
KOGER
Tough call.
JOHN
Yeah. I think… I would have shot the bastards.
OFFICER
Fire mission, all squads!
(KOGER and JOHN exit scene fades)
Act II
Scene 3
Major WILLIAMS office. Desk, telephone, framed picture of his wife and child, etc. Map of I corps in background. Several pins on it.
Major WILLIAMS seated behind his desk.
STEVENS
(walks in)
Good morning, sir. Did you have a good time in Saigon?
WILLIAMS
(Smiling)
Yep, nice, but I got some flack about not having enough body count last month. Brief me what happened yesterday in that Bravo Company firefight.
STEVENS
I’m sorry you missed the action. Lieutenant Corry and his platoon did a great job. Captain Andrews did a fine job here coordinating our guns and the Cobras. Lieutenant Corry’s platoon was near the ruins of the burned-out Vietnamese Admin building near L-rissa 2, settling down for the night. It started as what they thought was a sniper incident, but there was a whole company of the 137th VC regiment out there. Our 155s were able to give them quick support, and the Cobras came in and mopped up. We lost three men, one dead. In the dark the VC retreated, and buried their dead. Lieutenant Corry thinks they killed at least fifteen of them, but we don’t have a body count. The men wounded were medivacked. All of Bravo company was brought out of the area this morning to support Charlie Company.
WILLIAMS
Damn it! We need that body count. Let’s get something going, a quick recon team.
STEVENS
We have pretty much everyone deployed sir.
WILLIAMS
We need to improvise. Hum… Let’s have Bravo squad go out with Sgt. RODRIGUES leading them and see if they can find some of the graves. That should be an easy mission.
STEVENS
Sir, let me remind you the 137th may still be in the area.
WILLIAMS
Yeah, but after a shellacking like that they’ll be attending to their wounded and in no mood to fight.
STEVENS
Maybe sir, but they’re a tough unit. ARVEN Rangers spent three weeks trying to trap these guys with no luck. Bravo company was lucky.
WILLIAMS
We need to go in. If the 127th shows up again we’ll blow them away again. Go get Sargent RODRIGUES, so I can brief him on the mission.
STEVENS
Yes sir. Oh, also, we do need some time to make important announcements to everyone in the camp. Maybe after evening chow. We’ve never seen a rocket attack after 1900 hours.
WILLIAMS
Risky, but I’ll give it consideration. Thank you, sergeant.
(scene fades out)
Act II
Scene 3
Outside, soldiers in various stages of dress. Sargent RODRIGUEz on ammunition box. Background painted with soldiers standing and sitting, and with several 155mm. artillery pieces behind them.
RODRIGUEZ
Listen up. You’re called in because we’re going on a recon mission. It will be a chance for you artillery guys to play infantry.
(some soldiers hem and haw,)
KOGER
Airborne. Let’s kick butt!
RODRIGUEZ
We probably will not see any action, but we need to be ready. Now here is the deal. There was a fire fight yesterday in sector five, right where the burned-out Vietnamese admin building is. Our boys kicked a lot of ass.
(soldiers cheer)
But it ended at night, and the VC slipped away. We know exactly where the fight took place and can guess where the VC dragged their bodies for quick burial, like they do. But the Major needs to know what unit they were in – that’s important for an operation in the works. So, we will be looking for any signs of freshly dug graves, and see if we can tell any uniform markings or any paperwork on them that will give the intelligence boys a heads up. It’s an easy mission. Two choppers will bring us in. Once we get to the area it should not take more than a few hours, maybe less. We will then go five klicks to the ARVAN camp near the Perfume River. The choppers will come and get us out. At all points Squad Alpha will be informed of our coordinates and be zeroed in with these babies.
(pointing to the cannons in the background)
I’ll make sure of that. If the VC show up, will blow them away. I need one man on the M-60.
MENSAJERO
I’m real good with the M-60.
RODRIGUEZ
Good, you got it, MENSAJERO. Any questions?
SOLDIER 1
Sargent, this smells to me like a bullshit mission. They are risking our asses for bullshit. Why don’t we just pretend, and when we land there, buggy on south to the Perfume River, and cool our heals, and come back and say we didn’t find the freeken graves.
CRITO
Hey no. No! I gotta say something.
RODRIGUEZ
Go ahead CRITO.
CRITO
This may be an important mission. Anyway, we are soldiers in the U.S. Army and have our duty. Look, look… My grandfather came to American from Greece, the Ellis Island thing, with two bucks in his pocket. He got a job as a dishwasher the day after he landed. When he died forty years later, he owned a delicatessen, one of the best in the Bronx. He did that without any hassle or bribes for getting permits or bribing the police. If you travel around to other countries you appreciate that. My father fought as a Marine in the Big War. He got woundedin Okanawa, and when he came back expanded the deli to a chain of three. When I get back, I’ll be running the show, and I plan the delis to go national. What I am saying is that I think being an American is real good. And its like… being a member of a country club, and like a country club you gotta pay your dues. Being here is lousy, but it’s our dues.
RODRIGUEZ
Right on, thanks corporal
SOLDIER 1
I’d figure you’d say that,
(sarcastically)
Gun-Ho José.
RODRIGUEZ
Hey, I don’t mind a bit being called that. Let me tell you guys just why I volunteered to be here. My parents were run out of Cuba. They had a small factory making men’s shirts, and produced a good product and paid well. The employees liked working at our factory. Castro comes in and takes over the business, some Commy political jerk takes over to run it, and talks all the commy talk about the “means of production” and all that bullshit. But in a year the factory had to close down. The jerk didn’t know squat about the business, how to order good cloth or who to call to fix the cutting machines, so the business died. My folks fled to Miami and had to start all over again. They’re doing fine. What CRITO said is right on. Let me add one more thing. Just as my family left Cuba we received the news that my uncle had been executed by Castro. His crime was trying to help organize a Christian Democratic party just like the ones in Europe, and are respectful of democracy and other’s rights.
(pause)
I joined up because I believe it’s important that Vietnam not go the way of my Cuba. That the South Vietnamese would have a chance to be a prosperous and free country like Taiwan and South Korea, or something like that. It’s a tough fight but I believe we can win it. We will do this mission as ordered. Let’s hear that airborne spirit.
S
(shouting, except SOLDIER #1)
Airborne, airborne!
RODRIGUEZ
What’s going to happen!
ALL SOLDIERS
(shouting)
We’re all going home!
RODRIGUEZ
That’s right. We’re all going home. But we will do our duty, and you need to keep alert and keep sharp. The choppers will be here at ten hundred hours. I’ll inspect your gear at zero nine hundred.
(soldiers disperse, leaving JOHN and KOGER on stage)
JOHN
Oh… umm… thinking about Sargent Thomas.
KOGER
Yeah, on that demonic thing. Really eye opening. My pastor once preached on an exorcism he had done. That stuff is real.
(KOGER and JOHN slowly walking to the right.)
JOHN
I thought only Catholic priests did that stuff, which I didn’t believe anyway.
KOGER
Of course not, but a lot of Protestant pastors are clueless on this. So, what are you thinking about that demon stuff.
JOHN
Well, it doesn’t make sense that the demons exist without there also being angles, saints and God and all that.
KOGER
Of course, that’s not rocket science.
JOHN
So at least… umm… much of what I was taught…was a… was right.
Koger
Probably. I wouldn’t buy into some of the Catholic stuff like lighting candles and the Mary stuff.
JOHN
OK, let’s not argue about that. All I’m saying is that if demons are real and hate the Bible, then the Bible is real, I mean true.
KOGER
I’m glad you figured this out.
JOHN
Yes, that was what I was thinking. So… I think I need to re-up as a Christian. I’ll do that when we get back and I have time to go see the chaplain and go to confession.
KOGER
You don’t need to. You can, re-up right now.
JOHN
How?
KOGER
You tell God you’ve messed up and you accept Jesus as Lord. Is that strange to Catholics?
JOHN
Hum… You know, not completely, we are just more formal about those things. I remember a priest when I was a teen, asking our youth group to repeat our baptismal promises, like renouncing the Devil and accepting Jesus as Lord. It was all very dramatic. But I suppose I should do that now, and go to confession next time I have a chance.
KOGER
I’ll help you.
JOHN
Oh thanks. Hey, ah…how about a deal. You don’t mail that letter to ELLEN, write another one telling her how much you love her, and I will do this prayer of yours. Wouldn’t that please your Evangelical heart.
KOGER
Hum…maybe…You’re right. God has been making me feel uncomfortable about the letter. Ok, let’s go back to our hootch and do the stuff.
(scene fades as KOGER and JOHN walk off stage.)
Act II
Scene 4
Major WILLIAMS office. Major WILLIAMS on the phone and Sargent STEVENS buy him, intent on the conversation. Sargent MENSAJERO, with a bandage on his arm walks in slowly and stands before the major, and salutes him. Major WILLIAMS salutes back)
WILLIAMS
(on the phone)
Thanks, I’ll give it a try.
(putting down phone as MENSAJERO comes in).
Have a seat, Sargent MESGAGERA. So give me whole the story.
MENSAJERO
(MENSAJERO salutes, WILLIAMS salutes)
We suffered two men killed two wounded. We Killed some VC, but no idea on how many. It was a platoon of them or more.
WILLIAMS
Body count?
MENSAJERO
No sir. We’re lucky any of us got out alive. Sargent RODRIGUES got on the horn in a snap and had the artillery on them. They were lobbing RPGs at us, but he was cool as can be and directed the fire. I sprayed the area with the M-60. An RPG fell a couple of yards from me. I was down and just got this scratch. It will be my souvenir from Nam.
WILLIAMS
You’ll get a purple heart.
MENSAJERO
KOGER got killed by the same RPG. And Specialist Gunn got it in the Admin building. When the firing started to come in from L-arrisa 2, he shouted to Sargeant RODRIGUEZ that he would run up to the 2nd floor of the building and see if he could pin point exactly where the firing was coming from, and not have to blow up the hamlet. He made it up there, but was hit by a machine gun burst and fell all the way down and hit the concrete floor dead with a thud, blood all over the place. The hamlet was pounded. I saw a VC soldier being tossed in the air, and other body parts. But also, a lady, I think.
The firing from the area kept up from someplace else, not sure, and Sargeant RODRIGUEZ motioned us back a hundred yards to have the choppers take us out. That was lucky. The chopper pilot told us he saw a platoon of VC making their way from another direction to our position. We were lucky to get out. RODRIGUEZ went to the admin building to get Gunn’s body and put him over his shoulder and kept on firing as he moved back with us. He was hit in the thy and arm, but didn’t stop. The medic said he was lucky the rounds didn’t break any bones. He’ll be OK they said
So that’s it, sir. The choppers came in. A cobra came in and machine gunned the place as we loaded up and evacuated.
(pause)
WILLIAMS
Anything else?
MENSAJERO
That’s it, sir. I guess you can check with the cobra pilots about how many they thought they killed.
WILLIAMS
Thank you, sergeant, you’re dismissed.
MENSAJERO
(stands up and salutes and walks out)
STEVENS
Rough mission.
WILLIAMS
Yes, and I don’t want you to mention it again.
(pause)
Ok. Let’s do this. This unit needs more medals. Let’s write up a a silver star for RODRIGUES. And we need something else. How about a Silver Star for this Gunn kid. He was a good soldier.
STEVENS
A Silver Star sir? For trying to not blow away the hamlet?
WILLIAMS
No, of course not. That was stupid. Make something up, something out of a John Wayne movie. Have it on my desk tomorrow morning.
STEVENS
Yes sir.
(scene fades out)
Act III
Scene 1
Two months later. At a meeting room of the University, a table with six chairs. Dr. CRIONI is kissing ALICE, when they hear steps they break apart, other two male students come in. Seconds later ANITA comes in and take their seats around the table, exchanging greetings)
CRIONI
Hi everyone.
STUDENT #1
Hi
CRIONI
OK, in summary, Wednesday we agreed to join with the SDS’s big demonstration on the 26th. This will give us a six days of planning, and will reinforce what we have done for the slaughtered Ken State students. The SDS is promising to bring in someone big for the event. I’ll let you know when I get more information. That’s all from me. Anybody else with something we should know.
STUDENT #1
I think we should keep the pressure on. The Kent State massacres have really opened up a lot of eyes.
CRIONI
We could do something before the 26th, but I think that will scatter our efforts.
ALICE
I agree with Dr. Crioni, it’s coming up to exam time.
STUDENT 2
I agree, I’m up to my elbows in papers and work I have to do.
CRIONI
Yes. But if you want to picket outside the administration building and see if you can get some TV coverage, go ahead. But I’m like you guys, I have to do the usual class preps, and meetings. We’ll score big on the 27th. I’m sure it will be an all out effort.
ANITA
I’ll have to miss this one, sorry. I have a conflict.
CRIONI
You have not shared that with me. What can conflict with protesting the Kent State massacre?
ANITA
Well, I know you guys won’t like this, but I got a call from the VFW chapter president that they will dedicate a sports pavilion at the south ballfield to my brother’s memory on the 27th with a plaque and they want me there.
CRIONI
(disturbed look, others look stunned)
ALICE
So, they heard he got a Silver Star. What did he do for the American Empire?
ANITA
He pulled out two wounded soldiers under fire and some other things.
ALICE
So they could fight again and kill more Vietnamese children.
ANITA
That’s nasty.
ALICE
That’s what your brother was forced to do. You’re going to attend this fascist ceremony?
(leaves with disgusted look). Everyone in the room leaves except CRIONI and ANITA)
CRIONI
When did this invitation come in?
ANITA
The phone rang when I was getting ready to come here.
CRIONI
And you said yes without thinking about it.
ANITA
I thought about it.
CRIONI
Well, you can call them back and say no.
ANITA
No
CRIONI
(disturbed)
Look, I attended the memorial service and had to sit through some patriotic bull there. But honoring his combat – whatever he had to do over there, is too much.
ANITA
I’m sure you won’t be there.
CRIONI
No, I mean you can’t be there.
ANITA
I’m going.
CRIONI
(exasperated)
This is wrong. Look… When you married me, you vowed before your Catholic priest that you would “love, honor and obey me.” Yes, obey me. You promised before God. You know I’ve never pulled rank on this before, but this is too much, to affirm the dirty work of Vietnam with a blood medal.
ANITA
Not true, you insisted we move from New Mexico, and I didn’t want to. You pulled rank then.
CRIONI
But this is very serious.
ANITA
I need to go.
CRIONI
I won’t stay in the house with you if you do.
ANITA
(silence for a few moments)
That’s your choice. I’m going.
CRIONI
I’ll not be home tonight.
ANITA
Your choice.
(ANITA walks out, scene fades)
Act III,
Scene 2
Outdoors, chairs and a podium set up for a small crowd. The sports pavilion is painted at the side. ANITA is seated next to Dr. CLIES on one side and ELLEN on the other. Dr. CLIES coughs sporadically. Mr. HARRIS is at the podium. The audience is made up of actors who played soldiers in Act II, now dresses as elderly civilians.
HARRIS
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen Doctor CLIES, Mrs. ANITA Gunn Crioni, and Mrs. ELLEN Koger. ELLEN has come all the way in from Milwaukee. Specialist Koger and our own John Gunn were close friends and killed at the same battle. Let’s give a hand to all our guests.
(applause from audience)
I have several very vital announcement that I will make right after Doctor CLIES speaks, so please don’t leave until I get a chance to share with you some really important news. Now, let me present our speaker, Doctor Perry Clies. He has been a history professor at our university for over thirty years. He has won several academic awards and published numerous articles and one book on ancient history with a title that has a Greek name I can’t pronounce, so I am not going to try. It must be good.
(light laugher from audience)
I know for a fact he has been much loved by the students at our university, and one student, our own John Gunn, was especially close to him. So, without further ado, I give you Professor Perry CLIES from our own University at Athens.
CLIES
(CLIES goes to the podium with his notes and HARRIS sits down)
Thank you, Mr. HARRIS. ANITA and Mrs. Koger. It is an honor to be here with all of you, and especially ANITA and ELLEN to share this sad but sweet memorial time. It is also a pleasure to address this audience. When I give a talk in academic circles I can’t mention my belief in God, or God’s providential care for America. I would be laughed at and what I say would be dismissed. But with you I can say truly what’s on my mind.
(light applause from audience)
What Specialist JOHN Gunn did in battle in a small village in Vietnam continues a great tradition in American arms. It may not be as noted as other, more famous battles, but shares a long and proud tradition.
I would cite just a few incidents of this tradition The heroic stand of the Maryland Four Hundred against overwhelming odds at the Battle of Long Island. This enabled Washington’s army to escape capture and continue on to eventual victory. The Iron Brigade making its stand during the first day of the battle of Gettysburg which allowed the Union Army to keep the high ground of the battlefield. This forced Pickett’s disastrous charge which turned the tide of the war. From World War II I would cite the attack of torpedo squadron 6 without fighter cover on the Imperial Japanese carriers. Their total destruction as they attacked at low level allowed a clear shot for the American dive bombers from on high to destroy the carriers. It’s traditionally called the miracle of Midway, and I call it that when I teach in spite of sour looks lately from some of the students. Further, I would cite the Battle of the Bulge where the lightly armed 101st Airborne Division held on the Bastone and gummed up the German plans to take Antwerp. Well, I guess many of you are familiar with those stories, though I fear the youth of today are seldom told of these battles. But beyond the specific heroics of American arms, we need to appreciate several things about American the use of our Armed Forces.
America’s Wars of 20th century have been distinguished as being fought for others as well as ourselves. This is rare in history. We can start with World War I, where the aim was to make the world safe for democracy. That was an impossible goal, and it led to disillusionment and isolationism in the 1930s, but it showed a goal other than immediate self-interest. World War II was more realistic. To eliminate the threats of Fascism and Nazism in Europe and the Far East. It was for our long-term security, but also for the benefit and freedom of others. For instance, perhaps a different American president from Roosevelt, perhaps Charles Linburg, would have negotiated a peace treaty with Nazi Germany gaining our temporary peace at the cost of not having to liberate occupied Europe, and thus avoid the casualties of Normandy and the European campaign. But the undergirding motivation, I believe, molded by our Christian heritage, of “for us and for others,” focused on fighting the war to the total surrender of Nazi Germany and the other Axis powers. Actually, a treaty with Nazi Germany would have been a long-term disaster for us. As Hitler had formed plans to attack the United States after he had disposed of the Soviet Union.
After the war America did something that again is unique in the history of nations: the just and humane occupation of our former enemies. Not only were the Nazi and Fascist structures dismantled and their armies disarmed, but the peoples were helped in their economic recovery through the Marshall Plan and encouraged to develop democratic parties and institutions. Again, this was both for others and for ourselves, as our former enemies have become our present allies. But in these things there is the footprint of our Christian heritage.
(a bout of coughing)
HARRIS
Doctor Clies, please sit down for a minute and have this while I share some very important announcements.
(CLIES shakes his head in agreement and sits while HARRIS takes the podium)
I am excited to announce that the prize of this Wednesday’s bingo tournament will be a brand new Sony TV, courtesy of Mr. Tolland and his wife. Let’s give them a hand. I hope this will give all of you the incentive to come, as our bingo attendance has slacked off lately.
(light applause)
Second, very important. We have had trouble with our usual bus charter company, and have had to cancel the planned trip to the Kennedy Space Center. But we hope to have that rectified within a week or so with a new date for this exciting trip. So don’t show up this Friday night at our lodge. Thank you.
(looking at CLIES)
So, I see that Dr. Clies is now ready to resume his talk.
(HARRIS sits down as CLIES returns to odium)
We are now in a struggle with Communism. We fought a war in Korea, and half that nation, the part we saved, is prospering, and the other half is living under a hideous, impoverishing tyranny. We are now involved in this costly war for Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The Left claims our opposition to communism is unnecessary as it is not such a big threat. That is an absurd underestimation of the cruelty and destructiveness of Communism.
Like the intellectuals of the 1930’s who praised Stalin’s murderous regime and avoided the evidence that he was killing millions, the present Left places its hope on future communist governments to bring peace and justice to Southeast Asia. But that hope is based on an amnesia of what communist regimes have done. Motivated by class hatred, and hatred of any who slightly disagree with their regimes. The history of communism in Russia, China, Bulgeria and other unfortunate countries has been one of massacre, political tyranny, suppression of religious expression, and lack of basic freedoms we enjoy in this country. All of that shows demonic influence.
(pause)
Oh, that was good to say publicly and not get laughed out. Now where was I.
(looking and fumbling at his notes)
You know nothing has disturbed me more in recent years than the crazy fashion among Left student to praise and read Mao’s Little Red Book. Crazy… no let me say it truthfully, demonically influenced. Mao has murdered millions of his own people, and these kids take his writings as exciting and wonderful.
(finding his place in his notes)
Here I am. Our lead in the formation of NATO and all the treasure we poured into it has prevented tyrannies in Western Europe of the same or worse kind as the peoples of Eastern Europe have been forced to endure. The fight in Vietanm. Laos and Cambodia has not been decided yet, but woe to those peoples if the anti-war party in this country triumphs and the Communist are allowed to win. Woe to them.
(pause)
The Left and the naive protestors in the street and universities avoid historical evidence and have no clue to the depth of evil that communist regimes can bring on a nation. Plainly, they are foolish. All they have are fantasies for a utopian future. So, our soldiers in Vietnam are fighting with historical understanding and wisdom… for us and for others. Of course, not all the soldiers have that wisdom, but I dare say many do like our John Gunn.
(applause from the audience)
I believe that in the future we will understand this more clearly. Those who have gone to Vietnam, either reluctantly out of a sense of duty, or out of an understanding the necessity of fighting the spread of Communism, will be understood as the wise among their generation.
(CLIVES leaves the podium, loud applause and waving of the small American flags.)
Act III,
Scene 3
At a restaurant, Eddy and Anita (again as an elderly lady) at a table, finishing lunch.
EDDY
So, it was after that that your first husband and you divorced.
ANITA
Yes. That was the best thing that ever happened to me. Sad at first, but I got the house, and l soon met your grandfather. And CRIONI married this cute brat who was a student of his, and who drove him crazy. It was karma of sorts. She spent all of his money on an Mercedies and electronic stuff including very big speakers so she could play her rock and roll at a ridiculously high level. They divorced after a year.
EDDY
So you really think Vietnam was a just war?
ANITA
Yes, “for us and for others,” even though we lost. You know about the battle of Cold Harbor in the Civil War?
EDDY
Yes. Grant’s biggest mistake, big slaughter, no gain.
ANITA
Yes, I think Vietnam was something like that. But in spite of the defeat at Cold Harbor, Grant won the war and Lee had to surrender a some months later. Vietnam, sort of the same. It gave Taiwan, and Singapore and Korea time to become robust economies and democracies. The Asian Tigers. The Chinese took notice and made China into a capitalist country, but didn’t call it that. Then the Berlin Wall fell and Eastern Europe became free. I think… had President Johnson not sent in troops to Vietnam and started our part in the war, that country would have fallen quickly, and the prestige and momentum of Communism would have advanced. Maybe Indonesia and Malaya next, and Eastern Europe would have remained communist. The world would have been very difficult for us.
EDDY
You think so?
ANITA
I think so. We used to call it the domino effect. But the dominoes stopped stopped at Laos and Cambodia. Largely, I think, because the Vietnam war took so long.
EDDY
I never heard anyone say that. So that’s why you think the guys who died in Vietnam where wise heroes.
ANITA
Yes. Maybe someday people will begin calling the Wall, “the Wall of the Wise.” Dr. Clies would smile at that from heaven.
EDDY
Yeah. What about the mess in Afghanistan? A “forever war.”
ANITA
Who knows how history will view it. But maybe the real lesson is to pay attention to Paul.
EDDY
Who?
ANITA
Saint Paul, of the Bible.
EDDY
Oh, so how is he involved in all of this?
ANITA
He told us in no uncertain terms to pray for our kings and rulers, meaning our presidents and prime ministers, that they be given godly wisdom in their choice of policies. And pray for them no matter how foolish and stupid or corrupt we think they are.
EDDY
So they can know when it is wise to lay off, bluff, or when to fight… As you say, for ourselves and for others.
ANITA
Yes. Looks like you’re getting to be as wise as your great uncle.
END
