Herbert H. Paas

A Time of Breaking Hearts: I Don't Accuse, I Don't Defend, I Don't Apologize, I Report Herbert H. Paas

Born 1924 in Germany, my childhood was influenced by tales from the lost war, the depression and the rise of the NAZI movement. World War II and travels through many continents formed me. I studied horticulture and became an editor for a garden magagzine. I was the head gardener of the world famous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco for 30 years. 1962 I received a hint from an expert of climate, flora, fauna and history of Vietnam that the involvement across the Pacific would be in vain. He said: "An elephant can not win a war against ants." I foresaw that young Americans would have a distorted view of what really happened. I am certain that many of my generation will proudly remember our numerous attempts to stop the 13 years of mental and physical distress. I recorded this tragic epoch so that we will never let it happen again.