Day 2-War Museum

Day two set off to a fantastic start with a visit to the War Museum located in Kaksekam Cillage, Siem Reap-Cambodia. The journey to the Museum entailed us students splitting into 6 groups of four, all seated in the back of the notorious Tuk Tuks. Upon arrival at the Museum, we were split into three groups, each group with their own experienced and knowledgeable tour guide. Our group was quickly engaged in a detailed discussion over the events experienced in the war by our tour guide, Harold. He shared with us his experience in the Vietnamese and Cambodian civil war. Harold was seven years old when his whole family, including himself, were taken captive by the Khmer Rouge and sentenced to death in the killing fields. Harold witnessed his family's cruel death's, but due to his young age minimal attention was payed to him by the Khmer Rouge soldiers and he managed to break loose and escape. Upon escape he ran to hills were he survived for four years in lonesome, living off of locusts and bee hives. He detailed his recruitment into the Cambodian Army and his many, many injuries ranging from bullet wounds to shrapnel wounds from grenades and landmines. We were given a tour of the numerous portable and driven weapons, Tanks, as well as anti-aircraft artillery. We were made aware that to this day, an average of two Cambodians are killed or injured by landmines still located in Siem Reap. In the Cambodian Civil War, the Khmer Rouge brainwashed young children and enlisted them in the Khmer Rouge Army. As children, they hesitated less and were less burdened to end the life of a fellow human being than the older soldiers. These children were equipped with hand rifles and grenades. Overall, an incredible lesson was learnt through the tour and many fond memories of the Museum still echo fresh in our minds. The dedication of the staff at the Museum to overcome the burden of the War is inspiring and humbling. To see further details of the War Museum, you can visit their website at: www.warmuseumcambodia.com

Michael Ninneman and David Michaels