I used to think that the character John Rambo in the film Rambo 4, was largely symbolic. That film is the one where he's working at a Thai snake farm, until he gets hired for 'one last mission' into Burma.
So there is a parallel concept of the American Vietnam vet who never [fully] went home. Most did physically, but perhaps not wholly mentally. There can be a lifelong sense of connection with places that have been formative experiences, and IMHO that is at the centre of the character 'Rambo'.
[Sorry... I am somewhat thinking aloud]
So when I learned that a regular* here had served in VN and 'never went home', I remember finding that very striking. 'So maybe Rambo isn't just symbolism, but art imitating life?' Just today we have another old time poster who says he served in VN, then lived here, and has more recently retired back to the US.
I was wondering how many other Vets there are in SE Asia, who 'never went home'? Are there any regional Vet associations? Then I was thinking about migrant groups more generally. Not really where they have consciously chosen to migrate to seek a better future, but people who have had no choice but to move (to fight a war, to flee a war, natural disasters, etc).
What niche communities are there in Singapore? And how or why did they (or, at least the more distant ones) get here? I know there is a Burmese community, centred at Peninsular Plaza. You can find a tiny African 'zone' behind Mustafas near the junction of Verdun Road/Sam Leong Road. What brought them here? Filipinos seem to dominate Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road. There used to be a Thai enclave down on Beach Road, near the Concourse building (in it's attached mall?).
Are there any others here? Where are the Cambodians? There must surely be some here? The VNese? Singapore must have taken in some 'boat people', right? I know there was a major 'processing centre' down in the Riau islands just to the south.
- a parallel example might be the Nepalese community in the UK, although it's roots are arguably discretionary. IIRC Gurkhas who serve-out their 16 year (?) enlistment are given the right to settle, together with any family. So that community's existence is solely down to a now obscure historic event.
* Intentionally vague. I don't think it's my place mentioning names.
Damn, there goes a bit of my imagined heritage. Hey plus I only got married there].
