In 2007 my father told me a very sad but very touching story about his time in Vietnam.
My father was his sections machine gunner, armed with his 7.62x51mm M60 machine gun. Many accounts over the years from his section mates described him as a good soldier and a good gunner. On one occasion whilst on leave in Singapore, my fathers best friend and fellow soldier Bill Awatere had stepped on a landmine while on patrol. My father swore within himself that he would "get" 10 enemy for one of Bill. He wrote to Bills mother in NZ and said that he will "get" 10 enemy for one of bill. Bill's mother wrote to my father and said; "No, the Lord says we must forgive, that's what the Lord says in the Bible"....The rest is history....He got 10, however that letter stated in his mind for all of his days. A True Rangātira, a true warrior. The a new life in Christ after the War - Blessed in the Lord.