Decades of Conflict - World War II to Present

Friday night Leslie and I went to the book signing for John Villani's new book, Art Towns in California. John included our town, deservedly, in the new book. A great guy and an excellent writer, a good time was had by all.




The reception was a preview for the Show "Decades in Conflict" at the Fallbrook Art Center. A review can be linked here. The next night I was called at ten minutes to, to take photographs of the actual show opening as the real photographer had broken his foot. My mouth is a little too large (no brake pedal) for extended tours with military types but I gamely went over and gave it my best.







An Air Force Colonel, Bob Chrone, who flew 125 missions in Vietnam gave a very frank and competent slide show presentation on the war and conflict. Met some interesting folks from the Pentagon as well. I had donated a very unusual Japanese War Flag from WWII to the show but had initial misgivings that it would be a cheerleading session. And it partially was. Some people were very good at following orders and I am jealous of them. I pretty much managed to shut up but allowed myself three questions at the end of his talk:

1. Nguyen Van Theiu allegedly shipped a considerable amount of gold out of the country when he fled. (Reportedly three tons.) He had taken power from Diem in a coup in 1963. Were we propping up a corrupt government? Answer - Yes.

2. We essentially accepted the same peace terms in 1973 as were offered in 1969 in Paris. Were American lives needlessly lost?
Answer - yes.

3. How much of the war was actually a result of an internal Catholic versus Buddhist conflict amongst the Vietnamese people?


I didn't get an answer because a vet came over and started getting riled up about the domino theory and I couldn't reason. My god, look at the history of southeast asia, they hate each other's country immensely. Long term surely, the dominos have not fallen. I am not apologizing for the awful events that occurred in Vietnam or Cambodia, just wondering what our contribution was to the ensuing chaos.. It's interesting that Vietnam is still the nexus spot for the dissension over war. Why doesn't Korea stir the same ire? Lebanon, Somalia? Iraq? I was at the moratorium march in Washington D.C. in 1969 that turned into a frantic riot. It might have been interesting to include more of an anti-war perspective.




So as you can see, a fun time - I didn't get my ass kicked. Some of the exhibit was photos and memorabilia but there was also a lot of original art - some created by veterans and it was thought provoking if nothing else.