Reflecting on a Fall

I was four. Days. Old.

April 30, 1975: The end of arguably the most tumultuous time in American history, spanning across three decades - even though it was never "official". There was no declaration of war by Congress; there was an invasion, followed by an occupying force that split the country and the world in two. People liked to try to pretty up this mess by using the word "conflict".

Vietnam.

The fall of Saigon.

Obviously I have no recollection of it, and when I was younger, I was surprised to see that "technically" I lived during the Vietnam War (yes, I'm aware that I'm using the word "war"). It was a war that I'm sure my fellow classmates in school heard a little about, but did not understand how it touched so many lives, yet our parents very well could have enlisted or pressed into service for our country. Like my dad. He was lucky. He was engaged to my mother and saw his deployment listed as "Thailand". He called her to report the bad news, scared of going into the killing fields; instead, the hand of fate stepped in and the following day, his assignment was changed and he was sent to Frankfort, Germany. His friends weren't necessarily as lucky; as many families weren't.

This war is and always will be controversial. The cause, the methods of fighting, the high casualties and costs of the on-going, never ending battles that jumped from country to country, falling like dominoes, just like the Americans were hoping would not happen. Fate cannot be controlled. I know as a student of history, I've read about the war, but easily grew confused about what country was where, and the names of the leaders (many were guerrilla or warlords) so I am far from an expert. I can say that I can see how many people watching the nightly news with all of it's carnage thought the same thing.

Funny thing is there are so many ripple effects from this instance that it should make history itself blush. Wars were meant to be won, with clear opponents; Vietnam was the first one that truly was opaque. Now, the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and even the NATO involvement in Libya show that the governments may be overrun by a more forthcoming dictator to overthrow, but you never know the true feelings of the people of that nation. Ask the Soviets who live in Russia today and if they like democracy with it's flaws or the insecure safety of being able to fear what they already knew with their oppression.

The feelings towards the American troops has made a 180 degree turn. When some soldiers returned from their tour of duty in Vietnam, they were protested and even spat upon at the airports. Now they get parades and ribbons on trees.

There are so many underlying questions that take more than a blog to address, so I leave the questions open to you. Why do Americans "Support our troops" when the same was being attempted 30-40 years ago? What has changed in our society?

The wars that we face now are often conflicts; rarely ever have declarations of war been made through the same channels as they were with things like World War I & World War II. Why?

Are we helping or hurting the countries that we involve ourselves with? Doesn't the end result come from the desire of the people of that country? Communist China, in pursuit of the almighty dollar, a capitalist mantra if ever there was one. It's only a matter of time before the government's inability to quell people's inalienable rights as humans will erode their other hostilities. Same thing with North Korea; they're stuck against a wall wounded trying to fight against anything they can, but they're cut off from the world. Look at Egypt, they purged it themselves; Libya is trying; Iran has and will continue to try.

And the oddest result of them all: North Vietnam, which of course was enemy # 2 (second only behind the USSR) 36 years ago tonight; and now there is one Vietnam. A united Vietnam. With a McDonald's. During President Clinton's presidency, the ambassador to Vietnam, was a former Vietnam soldier. We trade with them. Funny how times change. Is it all because of forgiveness, or the pursuit of more money?

The world has grown smaller and much more intertwined, but at times people and governments can be more than oceans apart. It is what makes the world such a difficult, dynamic place. Whomever would have thought after this unforgettable photograph taken 36 years ago we and our "enemies" would be where we are today.

Just do one thing. Don't forget. Don't forget the people behind a war like this (on either side) or the people who fought in them. There are still thousands of them trying to perform it daily for us. Better yet, go to Washington D.C. and see the Vietnam memorial. I don't think there is a bigger punch to the stomach than seeing all those names. They have been remembered.

Don't forget.