we're all still wondering why

Your questions may be different, your age and therefore perspective may be different, but it all adds to the stange enigma we now refer to as the Viet Nam War. There are as many perceptions as there are people in a position to comment. I believe that is why The Wall is so captivating, it says nothing but the silent whispers of the names of the Americans who died there shouts to be heard today. I too was too young to be a part, my first memories of life are the JFK assasination and Pres. Johnson escalating the war effort, and the daily body counts on the evening news every night. When I was 14 I never knew a time when there was no war, and I grew up expecting to go, never knowing if I would live past my 18th birthday. Then it ended, abruptly from my perspective, in that I had never envisioned a future without the war. It may sound stupid, but I almost feel cheated for not being drafted and sent to SEA, I can never relate to my older brothers and sisters around me at church, work, where ever, all I can do is say "thanks" for doing what you did so I wouldn't have to, both the soldiers and the peace marchers. To the soldiers, I sometimes find an occasion to say "welcome home", though it seems some scars just don't seem to ever heal completely. There is something comforting that comes from sharing our shared experiences, though many still hurt too badly to talk freely to those of us who will never truly know what it was like, but if you ever get the opportunity, I do recommending just listening.