Merry CHRISTmas

Mary asked us to publish this now that we’re officially into the Christmas season.

It’s that “wonderful time of the year” again. Christmas carols, sale ads, Santa Claus and decorations – 24 hours a day. The true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ – gets lost in political correctness, long lists of “wants” but not needs, and stores needing profit to survive.

I have been reading memories shared of a time many would choose to forget. But these proud men have found something good to remember, and something that many of us could learn a lesson from.

The question was asked of our former Vietnam Prisoners of War – what did you give each other in captivity for Christmas?

One has to remember some were held almost 9 years, others a few months. Many spent years in the dungeons of Hanoi – tortured, teased, injured, isolated – but rarely without hope.

The memories recounted started in 1965.

Early during the war, expecting another “quiz” – in the room was a Norfolk Island Pine tree with a string of regular-sized light bulbs that had been painted in several colors. Each of the two POWs got a thimble full of orange wine and an extra cigarette. When they got back to their cell they exchanged gifts. Each gave the other his cigarette – then they talked about baseball.
In 1966 – several were living in 12′ x 12′ cells. They had no contact with other POWs. For seven weeks one had been undergoing a torture that was called “holding up the wall”-standing facing the wall with his arms straight over his head. Christmas morning, after “just” three hours, a camp officer told him that the Camp Commander had forgiven him of his “crimes.” Then the Vietnamese gave them a “good” Christmas dinner-a piece of meat, lots of rice, and, for the first time, cabbage soup.

Then there was the “Protestant or Catholic?” Christmas for some.

Asked one Christmas Eve to answer the question – Protestants received a small bag from guards
which contained an orange, several cookies and small pieces of candy. They found out later that the Catholics got a tangerine instead of an orange. One POW who was living by himself told the guard he was neither Protestant nor Catholic. The guard closed the hatch without giving him anything. He found religion the next year!

Sometimes there were quiet carols and The Lord’s Prayer. But also from the local Vietnamese clergy was the message that POWs should pray to God for forgiveness of their crimes against the Vietnamese people.

The next year one of the men said, “What will we do if we don’t make it home for Christmas?” Someone answered, “We will continue to pray for next Christmas.”

In 1968 the statement was made by one officer, “Everybody who believes in Santa Claus, hang a sock on your mosquito net. Remember, those who believe will receive!”

One POW did not hang up a sock because he needed to wear the socks to try to keep warm. They each had two thin blankets but he had to use one as cushion for his bad hip. ALL received Christmas cards, stocking or not, made in secrecy by the officer, while many others mentally filled the night with dreams of shopping lists, and wrapping gifts and prayers for family at home. A virtual Christmas far from home.

When HO Chi Minh died – some POWs actually were allowed to send a letter (six lines) home and some received packages from loved ones. The POWs made Christmas cards for the men in the other buildings. These were “air-mailed” by tying a rock to the paper and throwing them from one courtyard to another.

The guards actually gave each POW cookies and cigarettes that year.

The year of the failed Son Tay raid, 1971, was another changing Christmas for those in captivity. Finally, after so many years, they were all in the same camp, with 25 to 56 men per cell. It was the year “Santa’s helper” dressed in long johns, proceeded to help “Santa” dressed in red suit, black “boots”, stocking cap, and a white beard and mustache give out hilariously funny imaginary gifts to everyone. How the costumes were made is still a mystery!

Torture increased as demands for religious services and improvements in living conditions were asked.

Gifts received were made from bread and sticks, or were carols performed by some for all. There was the imaginary book “How to Play Winning Poker” and the pin once a week for a month.

The Christmas Bombings were a “gift” in 1972. One of the men heard from the guards that the United States was bombing targets in Hanoi with big bombers night and day.

A new POW, captured after his plane was shot down in those Christmas bombings said: “We thought of you guys every Christmas. Didn’t bring you anything but delivered a lot of presents to Uncle Ho and friends December 72. Wish we could of done it sooner, but then I couldn’t say I served with my heroes.”

Christmas Eve, 1972, was a quiet one for the POWs. The choir sang some carols and that was about it. Their thoughts and prayers were about the future. And how many more Christmases at home might be missed.

In the spring of 1973 – prayers were answered. POWs were released, and virtual gifts became reality for many.

In the memories recounted and the gifts discussed, were thoughts of

· a chard of tomato.

· MERRY CHRISTMAS yelled across a court yard, knowing well what the consequences would be.

· Origami Christmas ornaments made out of toilet paper hung on the mosquito netting.

· The pewter beer mug promised – and delivered Christmas 1973.

· An envelope of sand (silicon) and some wire scraps – a “kit” to make a transistor radio for the room!

· A terry towel Christmas tree filled with ornaments made from colored tinfoil collected over the years.

· A chess set made from the crossbars of a stool – with red and white pebbles as pawns.

· Nine POWs exchanged “virtual” gifts that would become real gifts after release. Beautiful engraved gold Zippo lighters that many still hold as one of their most prized possessions.

It doesn’t take a credit card bill to make Christmas merry. Just takes a doorknob on your side of the door and the realization life is what you make of it.

With thanks to Nam Pows for allowing me to share in their memories these past 25 years. Reality check for sure.

Category: Veterans Issues