War {huh!} What is it Good For?

I've been a serious slacker with blogging lately!  It's silly because I have so much great blogging material on my computer and in my head.  Perhaps that's slightly overwhelming?  I do feel a struggle between wanting to effectively capture the experience, and simply pushing forward to rather than letting the pressure build.

Anyhow, I mentioned that our time in Hanoi was a massive history lesson...and it's not over yet!

For those of you, like me, who couldn't remember exactly why we got involved in Vietnam, here's a brief recap:

1) Vietnam was part of French-ruled Indochina until 1954.  When Vietnam gained freedom, it was partitioned into North Vietnam & South Vietnam.
2) North Vietnam was established as a communist country under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.  A politician in South Vietnam declared himself Prime Minister and refused to hold the nationwide elections that had been mandated during the peace treaty.

3) The United States wanted to bolster the shaky democracy of South Vietnam, as it was the only democracy in Southeast Asia.  The US believed that the fall of South Vietnam could result in the spreading of communism across much more of the region. 

4) From there {long story bearable}, North & South began a civil war, with the US backing South Vietnam.  The United States officially attacked in 1965.  The fall of Saigon, which ended the war, occurred 10 years later in 1975.
5) Vietnam is now a unified, communist country.

Here are some photos from our visit to the War Museum in Hanoi (North Vietnam.)

Reads: 

"I am a citizen of the United States of America.  I do not speak your language.  Misfortune forces me to seek your assistance in obtaining food, shelter, and protection.  Please take me to someone who will provide for my safety and see that I am returned to my people.  My government will reward you."