Читать книгу Choi Oi! The Lighter Side of Vietnam - Tony Zidek - Страница 6

INTRODUCTION

That portion of Southeast Asia formerly known as French Indo-China is now the separate and sovereign countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These new countries have undergone the typical growing pains of independence since the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 when they were established. Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel, the North accepting assistance and control by the Communist bloc and the South being assisted by the Democratic nations of the free world.

It is in this respect that the American serviceman has become the principal advisor to the young country in performing its own defense against the insurgent Viet Cong and to deter the invaders in their efforts to envelop the South.

One day I was sitting around trying to look like I knew what I was doing when this guy I had met a couple of years earlier came over and dropped an envelope on my desk. Being naturally curious I began rummaging through its contents. At first glance they did not make much sense to me so I asked him if maybe he was playing some kind of joke. He said "No," he had just come back from Vietnam and these were some of his observations on the country, and seeing as I was a cartoonist, would I draw them up for him? Well, I was quite busy, but seeing as he was a pretty good egg, I told him I would take them home with me and see what I could do in my spare time.

I began making a few sketches and at first it wasn't easy because I didn't know a "cyclo from a cyclops." Then slowly but surely the cartoons began to come and as they piled up an idea took form. Not too many years ago I spent an enjoyable tour of duty in Japan at which time I purchased a book entitled "Babysan." In nostalgic moments I still made a habit of dragging it out and reliving those "good old days." As I was of the mistaken opinion at the time that my friend intended to keep the originals for the entertainment of himself and his close personal friends, I asked him "Why not give everybody who has been to, or is interested in Vietnam a chance to enjoy them?"

He agreed, and after I completed all the cartoons I sent them off to Mr. Tuttle who had printed "Babysan." It wasn't long before I received a letter from him stating that he shared my opinion of the material, but we would have to supply a commentary text, title, jacket design and the numerous other bits and pieces which go into making a book of this sort.

Now this is where the sweat and tears and blood comes in. As my friend was a devoted family man and not inclined to participate in any extra-curricular activities while in Vietnam, he had found the time to write down his observations. But upon his return to the States his every moment was spent with his wife and children, necessitating extreme measures to extract the information required to write the commentary.

Finally, after long and arduous days of brain-picking I was able to release him from the closet in which I had locked him and return him to his, by now, distraught family.

The following is the result of our efforts. To the uninitiated it may not be very funny or informative-but, we hope, it will provide many hours of fun and enjoyment to the veteran of Vietnam.

TONY ZIDEK

Minneapolis, Minn.