This past January my father and I returned to Vietnam. It was the first time that he had been outside the U.S. since he had fought in the war. We journeyed deep into the mountains, along riversides, and beaches, meeting the faces of farmers and fishermen, connecting with a landscape of memories full of violence for the people of Vietnam, and the returning injured, scarred, and broken Veterans of War.

When my dad returned from his tour of duty he carried a knife around with him almost at all times, always looking out for the enemy, the Cong. Now I know that this is something almost all soldiers do after returning.