Photographer's Note
Pet’s Story
Our guide, nick-named Pet, is truly a remarkable man. He was a child during the Secret War, but old enough to have vivid memories. He is one in a family of eight. When the bombs started dropping too close to their home for comfort, the whole family fled in panic. He and 2 siblings went with their mother in one direction; his father and other siblings went in another direction. His part of the family lived for 8 years in a cave together with other families. They never heard from the rest of the family until after the war 8 years later; all except 1 brother had managed to escape over the border into Vietnam. They thought the missing brother was dead, but eventually he was able to contact them in 1994; he had been “adopted” by a Hmong family and had gone to the USA. Pet said even today people frequently go to the airport and watch the planes disembarking, looking for loved ones returning. Pet told us his story without either self pity or rancour.
On the subject of caves, as most of their homes were demolished and to avoid the bombs, it was common practice for people to live in caves, but as they were also used by the Lao army for storage purposes, the US bombers deliberately targeted the caves using radio bombs. Many women and children were killed as a result.
With such an inauspicious start in life Pet was still able to overcome all difficulties, and speaks impeccable English; he used to be an interpreter for an Australian Company. Although not married, he has adopted 2 sons; one is now 18 and the other 10.
Every night Pet holds English classes in his home for local young people. They have become so popular he now has 2 classes a night. He asked us if we would like to visit his classes and speak with small groups so they can practise speaking English. We were glad to go and it was a truly memorable evening and very humbling.
I wish Pet, his family and his pupils all the luck in the world.
I know this photo of Pet is no more than a snap. It was taken at UXO Laos where he sat among the bomb casings. (The local people use them for fences and anything else they can think of.). I wish I had a better photo, but I want to tell his story, and at the time, as you can imagine, preparing a nice portrait for TE was not uppermost in my mind. As I said on my previous post, I don’t expect points but I would love to read your comments.
Please see here for information on the Secret War and here for its aftermath.
Alternatively click on the theme on the left.
Added 5th March 2012
I just heard recently that Pet died 2 years ago of a heart attack while coaching the local football team.
He improved the lives of so many young people. He gave them the tools and the confidence to take chances they would otherwise never have had. His community will be so much worse off without him and he will be sorely missed.
RIP Pet, a truly remarkable man.
Critiques | Translate
bantonbuju
(51815) 2006-03-24 4:43
this is a real, life monument for the war victims, kath, bomb-shells-fence is something so symbolic that you wouldnt expect clearer symbols;
nice homage to the man, good you share this pic with us, its very important;
best wishes, j.
efigesta
(12188) 2006-03-24 4:44
Hi My friend
interestinf portrait with nice colors and a nice note
regards
manuel
Gerrit
(62042) 2006-03-24 4:50
Hi Kath,
Good picture, well composed and with a lot of human interest.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit
Paolo
(41258) 2006-03-24 4:56
Hi Kath, excellent note, history, portrait of the Lao life and good shot, as in a journalistic enquire.
excellent work.
thanks, ciao
Fixfocus
(9385) 2006-03-24 5:05
Hi Kath,
Incredible and touching biography and your picture is a good illustration to it.A great one in your series about a forgotten war.
Greetings,
Hermann
Angshu
(56760) 2006-03-24 6:16
Incredible note Kath. The world is oblivious about the struggle of the Lao people & the secret war. For them it's an inconsequential country in some far corner of the world. I was shocked, dismayed & deeply touched at what I saw & heard in Lao. The shell casings are a grizzly reminder of the past. This image is commendable in capturing the essence of the struggle & a man who participated in it
Rgds
Angshu
MiguelP
(14470) 2006-03-24 6:38
Yes, a note that tell us about peace and forgiveness, the same chance we have now in Spain with the cease fire of ETA. Therefore, I feel very touched by this photo.
fkk
(2039) 2006-03-24 7:12
Merhaba Kath;
Well composition and colors, sharpness, nice interesting portrait...
good job.
thanks for sharing...
catman-fatih
ktanska
(44464) 2006-03-24 8:58
Hi Kath,
This one is even more touching that yesterdays post, as this time it so obvious what those objects are. Got to read your note later.
Have a nice weekend!
Kari
coco
(30439) 2006-03-24 9:51
Hi Kath.
This critique is going, in some way, the second part of the yesterday's critique.
Sure that you could make here a more "artistic" photo, a nicest picture.
But, would have the same meaning.
Is very significative this shot. This man, this "things" that once time were bombs what could kill people,... and no more.
Well, really more: the story that you tell in your notes. Your notes, but specially here in this note.
The story of PET is really nice. How the "little" people also can live big stories.
Carlos.
plimrn
(21344) 2006-03-24 12:47
Hi Kath,
Your note gives great support to your title; you might even call him a hero. Aren't some husbands wonderful? You're just going to have to get him his own site. Mine has gotten so into this, I had to get another camera because I could never get ahold of mine. :) Pat
rbcy1974
(20758) 2006-03-24 13:50
Hello Kath
Interesting how this guy seems to follow the pattern of decreasing vertical objects.
Well conceived
Regards
Daniel
Tue
(91564) 2006-03-24 17:16
Hej Kath,
Thanks for telling us the story of Pet. A good portrait too. Well composed and with nice colours. Good work!
Hilsner,
Lars
weswang
(18247) 2006-03-24 19:47
Hi Kath, This is a remarkable chilling story about a man, a family and a village. The bomb shells remind people the sadness life during the tough time. I sincerely hope peace to the world. Good story and nice shot to the man and the special fence.
singuanti
(15250) 2006-03-24 22:23
Hi Kath. That was a fascinating note about a great person. I'm quite impressed with him after everything that he and his family has been through. 8 years in a cave, that's incredible. tfs Kath.
peck
(2779) 2006-03-28 3:35
Hi Kath,
very nice photo and interesting history - just incredible...
Well composed and taken.
greetings
Gregory
sergio1
(12152) 2006-03-28 5:11
Hi Kath
Interesante captura de este hombre despreocupado por los artefactos. La nota es importante también.
Gran trabajo amiga kath
Regards
Sergio
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Kath Featherstone (feather)
(51130)
- Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2006-02-08
- Categories: Daily Life
- Camera: Canon Ixus 500
- Exposure: f/4, 1/60 seconds
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Travelogue: Journey through Laos
- Theme(s): The Secret War In Laos 1964 -1973 [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2006-03-24 4:38