Overcoming the Vietnam Syndrome
As a Vietnam era veteran--whose Marine brother was killed in Nam--I am grateful for a rapid end to the hostilities in the Middle East. President Bush is right. Those of us who served the Nam era can feel vindicated with our nation and our military.
When I was honorably separated as an army lieutenant in June, 1969, I dumped my uniforms and all remembrances of my military service. I had done nothing wrong. It was just the public perception of us as baby killers, drug addicts and misfits.
My brother’s death seemed futile until construction of the wonderful Vietnam memorials in Washington and Sacramento. The memorials were a start to the healing--Desert Storm completes the process.
God bless President Bush and his military staff. Thank heavens he allowed to military to do what they are trained to do! My kid brother Bobby would be proud of his nation were he here to share this moment in history.
GARY L. WASHBURN, Chatsworth
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