Years of Impossible Goodbyes Essays

Years of Impossible Goodbyes Essays Years of Impossible Goodbyes Paper Years of Impossible Goodbyes Paper Years of Impossible Goodbyes Years of Impossible Goodbyes, written by, Kook Null Cool, Is a very emotional and suspenseful historical novel. Kook Null Cool was born In the sasss In Pyongyang, North Korea. She wanted to share her experience with the people, and let them know about one of the turbulent period of the Korean history. Told by a first person narration; Samoan, the protagonist, tells the story. Place back in the years of 1945- 1946, within Krimmer, a village in the Pyongyang, North Korea, about a childs (the authors) past life, talking about her familys courage, love, and determination to find freedom from the North Koreans near the ending of the World War 2. In this novel, Samoan, the mall character, endures the cruelty of the Japanese occupation forces. She was only ten-years-old when all of it occurred. In the story, she was a very courageous child, suffering from the lost of her father and brothers, to the labor camps, and to the death of her beloved grandfather, she still hung tight. She cared deeply for her family; mother, father, brothers, aunt, cousin, and friends. Always acting to protect her brother, as well as listen when told to. Samoan speaks for herself, and says what she think Is right, for example, suddenly one of the big boys shouted, Stop, stop, stops Dont you know that we will stab you bastards firstly Well help the Americans destroy you all! You killers! The students gasped. But I clapped my hands in delight. (80-81 Through the passage it shows that she is a very independent speaker, and thinker. Then I realized all the first and second grade girls standing around me were starring in silent horror. Marina Sensei came over to me and hit me so hard that I fell to my knees crying. (81 Through that excerpt, you can see that Samoan did frequently get in trouble for speaking her mind, but she did what was right. The Japanese had a really dominant grip over the Koreans, additionally into the story after the Japanese left, the Russians came and conquere d the Northern Koreans. Hence, the type of conflict in this novel is man vs.. Man. The Japanese took over the Koreans and made them do whatever they wanted; learn their language, wear their clothing, and do their dirty work. Samoan and her family wanted to get out of their grip, and thus they were free when the Japanese lost the war to the Americans, White Devils. Not soon after, the Russians came over, and established a Communist government in North Korea; in addition to that, they would kill any traitor who crosses over to South Korea where the united Nation was. An excerpt from the book that would support the killing of the traitor is, l cant go. If I disappear, the Russians will notice immediately and will send a search party after me. Then wed all get caught and be brought back ere to face the machine guns. (122) Sonars father and two older brothers were already over in the south; while her mother, younger brother, aunt, cousin, and she, were still in the north. Sonars aunt and cousin became a double agent, helping Samoan and her mother plus brother out of the south. Her father then hired a guide to guide them towards the south, but on the way there her mother gets stopped at a checkpoint, and in addition to that, the guide leaves them at a house and runs off. Canon Ana near younger Trotter winner stuck together Walt no adult gulled whatsoever, and since as the older sister, she had to take care of him. Seeking help from an old woman that owns an inn, they found out that the guide too, was a double agent for the Russians. After wondering around for about three days without an adult; scared as she was, Samoan and her brothe r looked for help from the Russian guards at the checkpoint who stopped their mother. They where brought inside to be questioned and soon after let go. Heading back to the train station they got help from a kind man. He told them where to go, and what to do to get across to the south. They followed the direction as so, carefully trying to avoid the watch light, dogs, and guards of the Russians. Making the softest sounds ever, they carefully crossed. Running with all their might at the last stretch; hearing the Russian dogs barking and soldiers screaming, they made it all by themselves. The Americans lend them a hand, nursing them back to health when they crossed. When Samoan and her brother where back in good shape, the Americans found her father and brothers, but sadly no mother. Six months later, she came to their house that was now in Seoul, South Korea. Captivated by one of the Russians to be a maid, she managed to escape and found Samoan and the family. As well as as for Sonars cousin and aunt, they were marked as traitors, thus they where shot and hung in the town square of North Korea. She had to face her fears, and manned up Just to save her brothers and her life. An example of her courageousness for her brother was when they where brought into the Russians headquarter for questioning, and when they took her brother she spoke up saying, l am his nana and we go everywhere together. Can I come too? She got pass her fears and became a brave young girl. This historical novel to me was a very inspiration story. Its inspirational for the fact that, a young girl like Samoan, took on the responsibility of caring for her brother through the scariest and hardest time; all by herself. Something that was very surprising to me was how the lost of her family did not really keep her down; it Just gets her back on her feet again. With each knock down she got stronger. The story also gives you a feeling that you are back in the days of World War 2. Having the leaning that whatever she is going through, you are going through with her. Kook Null Choc really knows how to write stories. She pulls you in so well, and gives you so much information through her books. This is an incredibly compelling story of a young girl going through the roughest times at such a young age with immense responsibility. Years of Impossible Goodbyes is a must read. Having a part of history and a story together in one astounding book, what more do you possibly want? Canon, KOOK Null. Year AT Impossible Dyes. New York, NY: Houghton Muffling Company, 1991.

End of the Vietnam War - Fall of Saigon

End of the Vietnam War - Fall of Saigon Previous Page | Vietnam War 101 Working for Peace With the failure of the 1972 Easter Offensive, North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho became concerned that his nation could become isolated if President Richard Nixons policy of dà ©tente softened relations between the United States and his allies, the Soviet Union and China.  As such he relaxed the Norths position in the ongoing peace negotiations and stated that the South Vietnamese government could remain in power as the two sides sought a permanent solution.  Responding to this change,  Nixon’s National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, commenced secret talks with Tho in October.  Ã‚   After ten days, these proved successful and a draft peace document was produced.  Angered at having been excluded from the talks, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu demanded major alterations to the document and spoke out against the proposed peace.  In response, the North Vietnamese published the details of the agreement and stalled the negotiations. Feeling that Hanoi had attempted to embarrass him and to force them back the table, Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong in late December 1972 (Operation Linebacker II). On January 15, 1973, after pressuring South Vietnam to accept the peace deal, Nixon announced the end of offensive operations against North Vietnam. Paris Peace Accords The Paris Peace Accords ending the conflict were signed January 27, 1973, and were followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops. The terms of the accords called for a complete ceasefire in South Vietnam, allowed North Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, released US prisoners of war, and called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict. To achieve a lasting peace, the Saigon government and Vietcong were work towards a lasting settlement that would result in free and democratic elections in South Vietnam.  As an enticement to Thieu, Nixon offered US airpower to enforce the peace terms. Standing Alone, South Vietnam Falls With US forces gone from the country, South Vietnam stood alone. Though the Paris Peace Accords were in place, fighting continued and in January 1974 Thieu publicly stated that the agreement was no longer in effect. The situation worsened the following year with the fall of Richard Nixon due to Watergate and passage of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974 by Congress which cut off all military aid to Saigon. This act removed the threat of air strikes should North Vietnam break the terms of the accords. Shortly after the act’s passage, North Vietnam began a limited offensive in Phuoc Long Province to test Saigon’s resolve. The province fell quickly and Hanoi pressed the attack. Surprised by the ease of their advance, against largely incompetent ARVN forces, the North Vietnamese stormed through the south, and threatened Saigon.  With the enemy nearing, President Gerald Ford ordered the evacuation of American personnel and embassy staff.  In addition, efforts were made to remove as many friendly South Vietnamese refugees as possible.  These missions were accomplished through Operations Babylift, New Life, and Frequent Wind in the weeks and days before the city fell.  Advancing quickly, North Vietnamese troops finally captured Saigon on April 30, 1975. South Vietnam surrendered the same day. After thirty years of conflict, Ho Chi Minh’s vision of a united, communist Vietnam had been realized. Casualties of the Vietnam War During the Vietnam War, the United States suffered 58,119 killed, 153,303 wounded, and 1,948 missing in action. Casualty figures for the Republic of Vietnam are estimated at 230,000 killed and 1,169,763 wounded. Combined the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong suffered approximately 1,100,000 killed in action and an unknown number of wounded. It is estimated that between 2 to 4 million Vietnamese civilians were killed during the conflict. Previous Page | Vietnam War 101