Answers, and in a final defense

Many of you, Don included, have asked me for answers. I have 
no simple answers. I did what I did, and at the time the 
reasons seemed very clear. My father died at republican hands.
 I wanted t avenge him. I was raised with the notion of 
fighting against opression and imperialism. As a child I 
did not stop to question these beliefs, they were simply a
 part of me. I thought I was a hero. After all, I was told 
every day almost that that is what I would be if I fought 
with the VC. I am not trying to poison anyone. What would be 
the use of that? I don't want to turn American children into 
Communists. Why the Hell would I? I endured enough pain and 
suffering, why should I want others to go through that? ALL
 I ask for is understanding. How can anyone claim to 
understand the motives behind the Viet Nam war unless 
they are willing to get inside the minds of those who were 
there. I have attacked no one one this site, except for the 
ignorant. After all, the Republicans, even the Americans, 
they had their reasons. How dare you judge me based on your 
own predjudices about the VC? Perhaps they destroyed your 
family. Well the Repulicans destroyed mine, and the VC too! 
Yes, we were at fault! No one side can take all of the blame.
 And yet, I do not hate all Americans, or all Republicans,
 or all VC. I have hated them, when I was a foolish child, 
and i thouht that hate could somehow bring back my father, 
or my brother. When I thought that if your country called 
you a hero you must be one. You all seem to miss the point 
that I do not intend to justify my actions, or recruit 
supporters. I just want you to listen with an open ear. 
I would give you the same. Don, I sympathize with you. With 
all of you. I am sorry from the depths of my soul for your 
losses. I do not mean to belittle anyone. Republican and VC 
alike were brave soldiers, who fought valiently for a cause 
they believed was right. So maybe it wasn't. How could I, 
as  a kid, have known that there would be no more freedom 
with the communists? I didn't even know what freedom was! 
I fought fought for an ideal. I was wrong, and so help me 
God I REALIZE that, but I will NOT sit here and say that my 
reasons were any less valid than yours. I was not a 
politician, I was a kid, and whatever the agenda the VC had, 
I am almost certain it was not mine, nor most of the 
fighters'.  Listen to yourselves! on this page I have een 
told to "Go away", to "Get the Hell out of MY country", and 
that I was a "liar". How can I lie when I do not claim to 
speak the truth? The facts are true, yes. My father WAS 
killed by Republicans, my brother DID go missing, but the 
philosophy you ascribe to me has not been mine for over 3 
decades! If you would just listen to what I have to say, 
I am willing to educate anyone on my experience, and what I 
went through. This includes what I thought at the time. I, 
however, am no longer willing to continually defend myself 
against ignorant remarks. If you have something intelligent 
to say, I will be glad to listen., but as for personal 
attacks, based on my actions in the past, I will not even 
dignify those with a response. Again, my sympathies Don, and 
all of you who have suffered from the war. I hope someday you 
can come to terms with what happened, and forgive those who 
did it, as I have. Remember, there are two sides to every 
story, and it seems to me that many of you are in need of the 
other side. I give it gladly. 
                    Thank you, 
                       Dinh Thi Phuc