==============================================================
To reach ALL SJD members, please send to sjd@satjadham.net ...
Do NOT include any other addresses when sending to the list...
Include as LITTLE of the original messages as possible........
Message sent by: Kongkeo Saycocie <saycocie@sonic.net>
==============================================================

Getting bak to Savannakhet again, "Kou Voravong" stadium was the pride
of
the town.  Even today, "Kou Voravong" stadium was much better than the
Vientiane soccer stadium.  From the seat on the top of the stadium, you
could see the Mekong River.  To say the least, the view from this
stadium
was spectacular.
You felt spacious with lots of empty space surrounding the area, unlike
the
crowded Vientiane stadium.  I remember that once Savannakhet held a
national
sport event (Kila Heng Xat).  My half-sister held the flag of a
Savannakhet
team during the opening ceremony.  If I remember correctly, I even saw
the
crown prince at the closing ceremony.  He even played on the same team
as my
dad during his stay in Savannakhet.
If anyone ever wonders why Taharn Akart team was so good, just look at
who
was at the top.  Yes, that was General Ma, the first Lao Air Force pilot
and
general.  He had so much money (of course, it was U.S money)that his
pilots
were more than well fed and became the envy of the town.  It was said
that
whenever one of his pilots went down, he would give handsomely to the
family
victim.  Sadly to add that when he was gunned down and laid dying in
Vientiane airport during the failed coup d'etat in 1973, none of his
pilots
came to his aid.  It was said that he was betrayed by General
Khouprasith
Aphay, regional commander of Vientiane area.
I wouldn't say that what he did was the right thing.  He attempted to
ovethrow the government once before in 1967 but failed. As a result, my
brother who loyally participated in that coup had no choice but to flee
to
Thailand too.  To me, General Ma was a product of a military mind who
would
be fabulous if not interfering with politics.  Though a good acquaintant
of
him, my dad didn't agree with what he did.  As if of fate, Laos lost
such an
exceptional military man like him for no good reasons times after times.

(to be continued)

_
*****************************************************************
Visit SatJaDham Homepage at: http://www.satjadham.org (or .net)
*****************************************************************