Mike, I saw the amazing documentary Last Days In Vietnam by Rory Kennedy. I recognise this as being a shot from that documentary, from that evacuation.

It is the best, most raw documentary I have ever seen about Vietnam. It is one of the most touching documentaries I have ever seen and I see a lot of them.

Aside from the fact you were there, I know you were an English teacher once so you are more equipped than I to find appropriate words to match the range of feelings anyone would experience on watching this documentary.

Dire. Flabbergasted. Absolutely flabbergasted. Nothing comes close to the absolute disbelief at the betrayal. What a let down.

Betrayal. Unparalleled.

I was comforted by and very proud of the men who went their own way, went against the orders from the absolute top, to get as many Vietnamese out after the betrayal was apparent.

The lives lost. The people left sitting in the courtyard believing they were next on the chopper.

The expression ‘better to ask forgiveness than seek permission’ is suited to no better moment in time than this.

The risks taken by you guys. The skill and the integrity of you guys. The lives saved by you guys. The heroes. Heroes who don’t feel like they are because. Because. But you are, all of you.

But of course you know all of this. All of these things.

I stand beside you, Mike. I have no appropriate words but I’m here beside you and I’m looking at you with love and pride. It doesn’t help at all and you don’t need me there, it doesn’t help, but I’m there anyway.

Now I’m going to go and bawl my fucking eyes out.