Christy Sauro
understanding experiences
Christy recalled a rather harrowing observation:
“The ARVN, the South Vietnamese Army–I remember one time they went flying overhead in one of the helicopters, and they had a guy hanging on the cable that comes down from the helicopter, and it was greased. The guy was kind of sliding down. I’m sure they were interrogating him. I don’t know what ever happened to him but I suspect he would either tell them what they needed to know or he would get to the end of the cable and fall to his death.”
What is happening in this memory? How do you think Christy felt at the time? How about when he remembered the experience years later? What do you think is the end of the story? How would you talk with Christy about this if he were with you today?
What is the Connection?
Christy didn’t live in Anoka County and still doesn’t. Why are we talking about him in this project?
One of the members of the Twins’ Platoon was named Bruce Sommer. He and his brother, Don, called Anoka County home. When you’re studying history, it’s important to look at the obvious information, but also to research the underlying ways we are all connected to the same story. Can you think of ways you’re connected to people or places that aren’t obvious?
Digging Deeper
Embarkation — the action or process of embarking the embarkation of troops; something (such as a body of troops) that is embarked
MOS — Military Occupational Specialty (your job)
Tet Offensive — The Tet Offensive was both a major escalation and one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. The North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong (VC) launched a surprise attack on 30 and 31 January 1968 against the forces of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), the United States Armed Forces, and their allies.
NVA — North Vietnamese Army