Nhân sinh tự cổ thùy vô tử
Lưu thủ đan tâm chiếu hăn thanh.

(Người ta sinh ra ai là người không chết
Lưu giữ chút ḷng son rọi sử sách mai sau)

*Văn Thiên Tường


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This is one of the pictures I shot while covering the retake of Quang Tri City in the DMZ during one of the most fierce and bloody battles 35 years ago. My military unit broke up as Danang city fell on March 29, 1975 when I was on the streets taking pictures of the turmoil for the Associated Press. A friend of mine who — with me — was in charge of the battalion's darkroom knew that I have no way to return to pick up my belongings. Before surrendering all equipments to the winners, he evacuated my films and prints and relocated to a strange village where nobody could recognize him, making himself a farmer.
This is the picture printed from the only negative he was able to save and return to me after 31 years we lost connection.