Challenge Statement #6

I believe that it was righteous for the soldiers to trust the vietnamese citizens. The whole reason that the United States became involved in the Vietnam war was to prevent the spread of communism to South Vietnam and in a sense protecting the south vietnamese citizens in the process. Also you can apply this to the golden rule. The soldiers wanted the vietnamese citizens to trust them and their actions. If the soldiers did not trust the citizens then how can the soldiers expect the citizens to trust them. This relationship of trust between soldier and civilian that benefitted both parties in an almost symbiotic relationship was when the old man in the previous chapter guided the soldiers through the mine fields while the soldiers had to patrol. The soldiers trusted the vietnamese citizen with their lives and he trusted the soldiers to protect him and provide for him. This relationship of trust benefitted both parties. This example shows how if the soldiers were to trust the vietnamese citizens then both parties would benefit and the war could have been a more pleasant and peaceful experience for both parties.