Saigon Santa-baby

December Lite #2 ~ May your holidays be bright and light-hearted

Look what I found “hidden” in a photo I’ve viewed many times. This “Santa child” is prominently featured in the Peace Mural that was featured outside the War Remnants Museum in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in April 2015.

The mural was a welcome sight after I completed my heart-pounding tour of the displays that tell the victims’ side of the story. It is not for the faint of heart.

That evening I wrote in my journal:

As I departed, I took a photo of this mural. Someone had thought to ask school children to create a drawing for the museum, not showing remnants of the past, but a wish for the future.

Despite the heaviness of the afternoon, I was glad I followed through and made the visit happen.

This is the full mural. Hòa bình means peace in Vietnamese.

Thank you for reading. You can find out more about my work and books at Kat-Fitzpatrick.com.

My narrative nonfiction story, For the Love of Vietnam: a war, a family, a CIA official, and the best evacuation story never heard is available at this link and by request wherever books are sold.