Facing the Khmer Rouge: A Cambodian Journey

Notes

223 NOTES CHAPTER 1 CHILDHOOD IDYLL 1. Like other children in town, I became virtually blind at night. The lack of sight was probably due to a vitamin A deficiency. 2. The Khmer word for “servant” is kgnum, which is also translated as “slave.” 3. The five tower-shrines of Angkor Wat were believed to represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, the home of the gods and the center of the Hindu universe. CHAPTER 2 BAMBOO IN THE WIND 1. During my high school and college days in America, I spoke to my teachers only when I had to. CHAPTER 3 AN UNCIVIL WAR 1. The shells probably came from a 50-mm Vulcan cannon mounted on the famed “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” a modified C-130 gunship. CHAPTER 4 SHOCKS AND SURPRISES 1. The southeastern accent was known to come from Khmer Kampuchea Krom, an area in southern Vietnam where many Khmer lived. Krom means “low.” 2. We would never see our house by the forest again. Later, a cluster of bombs from an American F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber destroyed it. Our neighbor Mak Ah Chhay was a little luckier; two sections of her house’s concrete walls were left standing. CHAPTER 5 A TIME OF PLENTY 1. Throughout the war, Cousin Khen was a voice of hope, bringing us traditional and contemporary Cambodian music as well as world news in Khmer from the Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, D.C. 2. Much later, the Khmer Rouge killed Uncle Khiev and his entire family except three: Ang Khen, who was in America, and Cousins Norica and Rasmi, who escaped on the last plane out of Cambodia. Only cousins Khen and Norica have returned to Cambodia. There’s too much emotional pain to overcome in going there. 3. Lon Nol later died of a heart attack in the $4 million home in Hawaii that he shared with his wife and children. No doubt his family still has access to several bank accounts. CHAPTER 6 AN ERA IS ENDED 1. Some Mith Chass later became powerful masters of the Mith Thmey, those who lived in the government-controlled areas. CHAPTER 8 A GREAT LEAP BACKWARD 1. Much later, thousands of bodies were found in open mass graves a few miles from the processing centers. CHAPTER 9 THE DEATH OF DOGS 1. Some of the Khmer Rouge who escaped Pol Pot’s purge by crossing Vietnam’s borders are now state leaders in Cambodia: Hun Sen, Chea Sim, and Heng Samrin, to name a few. CHAPTER 10 MIRACLE AT THE TEMPLE 1. In 1999, I found this Angkar Leu cadre on a farm in Tapang, where he lives to this day. 2. My family had indeed been in Kralahn. CHAPTER 11 DEAD WEIGHT 1. After childbirth, Khmer women traditionally take one to four weeks of bed rest over a fire. The smoke is believed to strengthen the new mother. 2. Later study of my injuries revealed that I’d been struck at least fifteen times. CHAPTER 12 KILL OR BE KILLED 1. I still experience these severe headaches today. 2. Dorn Swar (a village name) is translated as “Grandma Monkey.” Today this village is known as Prey Veng (Long Forest). 3. When I returned to Krobey Riel fourteen years later, Brother Som was shocked and very pleased to find out how wrong he was in thinking I would not make it. 4. Many years later in America, I’d be reminded of Caveman Club whenever I saw people swinging a baseball bat. 5. The Chinese deserve much credit for every single RPG fired and land mine exploded. Without Chinese support, my people would still be alive and I would never have killed my fellowmen for my own survival. 6. I continue to look for news of Wang’s survival today. CHAPTER 13 BAREFOOT ESCAPE 1. I believe in the potency of these verses. I still remember the chant today and I recite it in times of crisis. 2. So far, I’ve kept my promise to be good. As for becoming a monk, I’ll consider that later. 3. Angkar killed anyone who spoke foreign languages. NOTES TO PAGES 53–123 224 CHAPTER 14 ALIEN WORLDS 1. I met Brian Ellis again ten years later. We remain dear friends to this day. I still have his business card. 2. Bob Fonda and Philippe Poulin are still friends...