I rarely think about Vietnam. It was a part of my life in that I was in the military during that time but it sure isn't a life-lesson like having a kid, getting married, or having a parent die. I know some guys who were on the ground Vietnam ... mostly in the USMC ... who were there, did that, served several tours, moved on. They don't wear old fatigues and go Wall-weeping. They go fishing. They think those other guys are riding a carousel of their own creation much as a reformed sinner gets-up to weep, "I have sinned!" After a half-dozen self-indulgent chest beating episodes it's time to move along.

Should we ignore historically important events? heck no.

You put it in context and use it as an occasionally useful guide. But you don't let it lead you through life by the nose.

B