March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Day. If you have a chance tomorrow and always, thank a Vietnam veteran for what they did for us. Many of these veterans were either drafted or enlisted just to serve their country. They weren’t involved in the politics or diplomacy, they were just trying to do what they believed was right for their country. And many weren’t treated well for it.
In the big, historical picture it may always be debatable if we needed to fight communism through these proxy wars (i.e. domino theory), and it’s humbling and sobering to think of those lives lost and changed. However, the contributions of Vietnam veterans greatly benefitted future generations.
When I enlisted in 2003 and found myself in Iraq 6 months later I quickly found out that when it comes to equipment and training, the military is often only as good as it’s last war. The advances in battlefield medicine and tactics provided a groundwork for today’s modern military. Vietnam vets also started the extremely slow process of attaining better rights, benefits, and compensation for those who have served our country. The reality of most of these efforts is that they were almost too late for the people fighting for them, but any victories achieved would benefit future generations. To that last sentence, as a veteran of the War on Terrorism theater….two words don’t describe it, I wish I could convey it better…but THANK YOU. Those of us in our late teens in the 2000’s had it better because of you, Vietnam veterans.
One last note: Alongside the military veterans of Vietnam, be sure and remember the sacrifices made in that region by other Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians. If you’re up for it look up some stories on some of these courageous people. Many left their families in villages and went to work secretly for the U.S., risking everything they had. Some were able to relocated but unable to get their families out. I know there are some families like that in Minnesota right now who were displaced because after helping the U.S. they couldn’t return. These people served just as much as our veterans and their contributions should also be honored.
Vietnam Vets…you did make our country a better place. Thank you.
