The above article was supplied by Captain Bruce Brockway, it is reprinted below for easier reading.

Vu Lan Ceremony Held
   Viets, Engrs Share Fete by SP5 Harry Huntingen(?) Field Correspondent  LONG BIHN (79th Gp) - The yellow dump trucks were parked with banners
and flags hung between them.  An altar was decorated with flags, candles and burning incense.  Symbolic plates of crab meat, egg and  rice passed in
front of three cups of water and dirt.  The sound of a Buddhist monk praying and ringing a handmade bell to awaken the spirits of the dead filled the
parking lot.
   This was the celebration of the Buddhist Vu Lan Ceremony, similar to the Catholic celebration of All Souls Day.
   Thirty Vietnamese dump truck drivers who drive for the 104th Engineer Company (DT) wanted to share their day of celebration with their American
friends, so they literally brought their party to work with them.
   The monk read aloud the story of the Vu Lan Ceremony while an Army of the Republic of Vietnam interpreter, Sergeant Tinh explained it in English.
 As the legend goes, long ago a young girl named Muc Lien lamented the death of her mother, Thanh De.  The recently departed woman had been
doomed to live as a watre bufalo in the after-life because of her greediness.  But because of her daughter's devotion and faith, Thank De was pardoned.  
Later, when the Chinese began their migration south to this country, they named their home Vietnam ande continued to celebrate Vu Lan with prayer
and great feasting.  The monk closed the sacred book and began throwing rice in the wind.  Then the American guests were invited to participate by
placing burning incense on the altar.  A final prayer was said for the safety of each Vietnamese and American driver.  The ceremony was over and the
altar soon became a banquet table.  A final exchange of good wishes whas made with the help of interpreter Tinh.  First Lieutenant Ken Reiss of St.
Louis, MO congratulated the men on their fine driving and maintenence record. "I just want to express my personel thanks to each and everyone of
you. I hope in the months ahead we can continue working and learning together.