13 Moons over Vietnam: 9th Moon ~ Resolute

Ben Thieu Long

Description

War conditions test the courage, faith and resilience of people. One's ability to cope and adapt is crucial to survival, both physically and emotionally.

Sujets

• Fantastique
• Romance fantastique
• Biographical
• Historical
• Biography
• Military
• Christian
• War
• Romance
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 31 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781977261700
• Langue: English

Extrait

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13 Moons over Vietnam: 9th Moon ~ Resolute All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2023 Ben Thieu Long v1.0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-6170-0
Cover & interior images © 2023 Ben Thieu Long. All rights reserved - used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Table of Contents
Preface: 9th Moon
Introduction: 9th Moon ~ Resolute
Chapter 123: DRIVING BLIND: Gliding on Faith
Chapter 124: MEMORY LANE: Brief Tranquility
Chapter 125: COURAGE RISES: From Darkness
Chapter 126: STOPPED COLD: Monsoon Effect
Chapter 127: KEEP OUT: Persona Non Grata
Chapter 128: BOXER’S LAMENT: On the Ropes
Chapter 129: CLOSE CALL: Ricochet
Chapter 130: BIAS: Fragile Alliance
Chapter 131: SELF-CONTROL: Living Two Lives
Chapter 132: LOOSE FASTENERS: Suspicion
Chapter 133: BLINDSIDED: Pop-Up RPG
Chapter 134: ATTACK AT CP 3: Close Enough
Chapter 135: REELING: Troubled Thoughts
Chapter 136: RECKLESS: Ditch the LT
Chapter 137: KNOTTED UP: FUBAR
Chapter 138: BREACHED: Dazed and Confused
Glossary
Preface: 9th Moon
In August, Ben faces constant risks working night convoy. Uncertainty requires him to measure his courage and consolidate his strengths.
Thirteen Moons over Vietnam is a thirteen-volume series depicting a military policeman’s moral and spiritual struggles during the Vietnam War. Ben Thieu Long (pseudonym) thought he was prepared for the conditions of war but faltered in the face of temptation. A devout individual, his responses to moral dilemmas shattered the confidence he believed would sustain commitment to his values.
Although this is one soldier’s story, these experiences reflect what veterans across generations have had to contend with during war.
Read the 9th Moon as Ben uses self-reflection and reassessment of his spiritual strength to adapt to this new and unpredictable environment.
Introduction: 9th Moon ~ Resolute
Resolute is a characteristic of purpose, courage, and steadfastness. William Tecumseh Sherman defined courage as a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger and the mental willingness to endure it.
Many people intend to be resolute in their commitments, but, in reality, their effort is more a pursuit of the goal than a consistent behavior; even the determined waver and the devout stumble. When individuals repeat this cycle of well-intended effort, failure, and recommitment, their effort is similar to the struggle of Sisyphus in Greek mythology. Although a person’s adherence to their commitments is inconsistent, their character can mature and strengthen through trials.
Resilience is courage when a person fails but resolves to try again. Although they couldn’t remain steadfast, these individuals rebound from setbacks with renewed determination. This return to purpose is how a person of commitment responds, as expressed in Proverbs 24: 16. For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Ben’s adherence to his commitments had been inconsistent, but his character matured and strengthened through failure.
Transformative Changes
Ben’s experience in Vietnam triggered four transformative changes, none of which were expected or healthy. The first change was his shift from empathy to distrust. Ben progressively withdrew emotionally and replaced sensitivity with callousness.
In a second change, Ben’s moral compass fluctuated between integrity and criminality, but he concealed his Jekyll and Hyde persona through deception.
A third change was Ben’s growing readiness to use force, as he increasingly responded aggressively to threats.
Finally, Ben’s fourth change was a tendency toward impulsive risk-taking. He abandoned caution and exhibited unnecessarily risky behaviors.
From Innocence to Temptation
1 ST M OON : I NNOCENCE ~ R ECAP
Ben was a determined twenty-one-year-old when he arrived in Vietnam. He was dedicated to his new wife and his faith and committed to his obligations. (Story 1 ~ Last Day of Home).
Unfortunately, several disturbing experiences prompted him to turn to alcohol and drugs for escape. (Story 7 ~ First Night Checkpoint, Story 8 ~ The Wages of War, Story10 ~ Death’s Deliverymen).
2 ND M OON : T EMPTATION ~ R ECAP
Ben’s integrity faltered in the face of temptation. Although he recognized he had drifted from his commitments, Ben didn’t accept how complicit he had become in his self-degradation. (Story 17 ~ New Year, Old Trials). Saigon’s black market provided opportunities to make easy money, and Ben used his illicit gains to escape. (Story 21 ~ Black Market, Story 22 ~ Mama San’s Parlor, Story 23 ~ Saigon Nightlife). His work with the Vietnamese National Police also presented temptations. (Story 24 ~ Power and Privilege).
When Ben received news of his son’s birth, he doubted his capacity to sustain compassion in a war zone. (Story 25 ~ Born Into War). Consequently, Ben felt torn between joy and dread when considering the prospect of parenthood. (Story 26 ~ Fatherhood Angst). That turmoil precipitated a breakdown and amplified his sense of being adrift. (Story 27 ~ Mind Rip, Story 28 ~ Adrift).
Ben’s vulnerability to temptation undercut his sense of morality. The contrast between his beliefs and behavior fueled further turmoil, and Ben feared he’d fallen under an addictive spell. (Story 30 ~ Power Addiction).
Through Discord to Remorse
3 RD M OON : D ISCORD ~ R ECAP
Ben’s third month posed different situations, revealing the drift from his morals and failure to honor his commitments. (Story 33 ~ My Duty). Ben timidly sidestepped his duty when confronting intruders in Newport’s free-fire zone. (Story 37 ~ Intruders at Pier Ten). After reconsidering his actions, Ben regretted his decision and vowed to become more aggressive. (Story 38 ~ Right to Kill).
Ben witnessed the consequence of illegal activities when a fellow MP was arrested for black market activities. (Story 35 ~ What Goes Around). As his behavior continued to deviate from his values, he struggled to deny his two-faced persona. (Story 39 ~ Mirror, Mirror). Finally, Ben became despondent when his emotional compartmentalization failed, and he realized he couldn’t sustain deception. (Story 42 ~ Serenade, Story 44 ~ An Ill-Fated Course).
4 TH M OON : R EMORSE ~ R ECAP
Ben’s fourth month brought his crisis to a crossroads. First, an addicted friend became hostile over repayment of a drug money loan. (Story 46 ~ Debts and Friends). Then, due to casualties in the PBRs, Command presented Ben with a choice he didn’t recognize as a blessing in disguise. (Story 45 ~ Blood in the Water, Story 48 ~ Pick Your Poison).
Unfortunately, like a moth drawn to a flame, Ben engaged in more significant dangers in the black market. (Story 49 ~ Big Money). However, he sensed his dual-persona pretense would fail, and his recklessness would lead to a bad ending. (Story 47 ~ Fractured, Story 50 ~ Swirling). Yet, despite his awareness, Ben continued to violate his commitments. (Story 51 ~ Deviation). Finally, with his compartmentalizing tactics crumbling, Ben could no longer deny his self-deception and confessed his failures. (Story 52 ~ Remorse).
Ben transferred to an MP company in Long Binh but discovered his new duty came with its own dangers. (Story 53 ~ Learn the Ropes). Confronted by physical threats, he justified his increasing use of aggression. (Story 54 ~ Embrace Aggression). Ben worried he lacked sufficient moral strength to cope with his newfound challenges. (Story 58 ~ Strength Isn’t Enough).
From Insight to Heartache
5 TH M OON : I NSIGHT ~ R ECAP
Ben’s fifth month provided a fresh start, and he hoped to leave behind the wayward pattern he followed while stationed near Saigon. However, some forays brought him back into contact with criminal elements. (Story 72 ~ Temptations).
Highway patrol required Ben to assist at traffic accidents, and the images of the injured and dead haunted him. (Story 61 ~ Bloody Highway, Story 62 ~ Gloom, Story 69 ~ Death on the Shoulder, Story 70 ~ Dread). To distract his mind, Ben engaged in unauthorized explorations into off-road areas. (Story 67 ~ Exploration).
Through a series of unique assignments, Ben began to develop insights into the character and contradictions of leaders. (Story 59 ~ Leaders’ Talk, Story 60 ~ Raised to Trust, Story 64 ~ Supervisor’s Driver, Story 65 ~ Disguises, Story 73 ~ Humpty Dumpty, Story 74 ~ Lessons).
6 TH M OON : F RICTION ~ R ECAP
Ben’s sixth month was rife with friction with both friends and adversaries. (Story 77 ~ Friction, Story 79 ~ Zero, Story 80 ~ Kill Those Kids, Story 81 ~ House Divided, Story 84 ~ Drivers’ Strike, Story 89 ~ Step-Brother). He used deception to maintain protective buffers with conflicting factions. (Story 78 ~ Mismatches, Story 87 ~ Code of Silence).
Dangerous acts of criminality crept back into Ben’s daily life. (Story 85 ~ Evidence Game, Story 86 ~ Requisition). He increased risk-taking behavior by probing off-limit areas and following a rash impulse to climb a radio tower for photos of the landscape. (St