When the word "canal" enters an average layman's mind, a feeling of ROMANCE would likely fill the air. He or she would most likely think of Venice with her colorful GONDOLAS with men in striped shirts rowing to the tune of "That's Amore".
How I wish that this was the same ambiance in the MEKONG DELTA. All the canals of Venice can be placed here and there would STILL be room for a THOUSAND more. These are un-charted canals with tributaries going in all directions. Besides the congested river traffic of sampans, passenger and cargo vessels, there are more UN-COUNTABLE contraptions floating or permanently stoked in the water.
These were FISHING NETS, fish traps made of bamboos aligned at the middle and at times postioned ACROSS the canal.
Ocassionally, CARCASSES of dead animals AND HUMANS were in there, too. Worst yet are the fallen or wrecked bridges, results of BOMBINGS or simply deteriorated because of antiquity.
It was IMPERATIVE that the Boat Commander keep a keen eye out for all these contraptions PARTICULARLY those that were NOT quite noticable. Such as, the QUANTITY of HAY floating in the canal. Their PURPOSE? To CLOG up the PBR's "bridge pumps" which would invetably stall the boat's Jet Engine. There was no ambiance or romance nor tune of "That's Amore" there. If you pushed your luck any further and go DEEPER inside the canal, sooner or later, you'll be "HAULIN' ASS" to the tune of AK-47's, B-40's or hand-thrown GRENADES on your way out.
All PBR Boat Captains as well as the Patrol Officers knew the risks in doing so. However, for whatever reasons, ,we ALL took these risks. Could these reason's be AGGRESSIVENESS? Or riddance of BOREDOM that easily sets in during these long hours patrols? It could be both, nevertheless, by doing so. It could be BOTH, nevertheless, by doing so, I was sure that this CLEAR MESSAGE is sent to CHARLIE: " MESS around and you'll LAY AROUND...
NEXT: Purple HEART? Nah...Purple ASS...
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