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                One of our other functions at Ca Lu was providing a medical civilian action program, known as MedCAP. A squad of marines and I would go out to the villages and offer to treat cuts and scratches and other minor things. I had a Polaroid camera which I would give to a Marine to shoot photos of me taking care of the folks. Photographer was CPL Tony WILLIAMS.

                The Montagnards are darker skinned, and have different customs and language than the Vietnamese. They are also known as Bru and occupy the mountainous areas near to and in Laos. Even though they were discriminated against by the Vietnamese they exhibited more pride and self-esteem.

                Fortunately one of the inhabitants of the village was a young man who told me he had gone to school in Hue, but had recently returned to his family. He spoke Vietnamese, French, and a little English. He was very happy to act as our interpreter.

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                This picture and the ones to follow were taken in the Montagnard village of Lon Caht. The villagers were receptive and gathered around, but did not crowd. They were very interested in what I was doing.  Here I am examining an infected finger

                The villagers were also intrigued with the instant pictures produced by the camera. The interpreter was so excited when he saw himself in the picture he accidentally scratched it with his fingernail when he pointed to himself.

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               Here I am posing with a couple of young girls who stated they were 14 years old. They look very serious here, but as soon as the picture was snapped, they ran off giggling and laughing like any other teenagers.  Standing behind me is the interpreter.

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