Wednesday, March 6, 2002

Let's remember Vietnam vets

I recently saw the movie, "Black Hawk Down." What a great movie. The deaths of those 18 brave Americans on that horrific October day in Mogadishu and the realistic action sequences are testimony to the courage and dedication representative of today's U.S. armed forces.

A little more than a generation ago, we lost about 18 brave American soldiers on an October afternoon as well. Back then, losing 18 American soldiers was considered a good day.

We lost an average of 18 soldiers not only in one day, but also for many, many days running. In fact, we lost more than 18 American soldiers in service to our country every day for eight years straight. And those soldiers were no less brave than those courageous men depicted in "Black Hawk Down."

Most of us know, or are acquainted with, someone who served in the Vietnam conflict. Wouldn't it be nice if each of us would just take a little time to thank them for putting their lives on the line when our country called?

Richard Mannion

Fayetteville

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