Don't Discount Those Who Served

by Rocco DiPierro

Reflecting on the 30 years since the U.S. departure from Vietnam hostilities, I ask why did this happen?

Vietnam was a United States political blunder. They say the first casualty of war is truth. This war was conceived as a lie, continued and ended the same way. A truth about Vietnam was the abuse of U.S. combatants, how they were, used, lied to, and then forgotten by a supposedly grateful nation.

As young men, I, as all other serving military of that time, were ;ed to believe the fall of Vietnam would be the end of the free world.

Living, learning I realized the people of Vietnam merely wanted to have the right to free elections and be free of puppet governments and tyranny from invaders, which they had endured for years; a free people, sound familiar? Sort of what America is sending kids off to die today for in Iraq. How ironic.

I am not liberal. I do not like politics. I do take exception with people today, as I did then, who are anti-military.

Vietnam divided our nation; corrupt politics created a story that shall not end for those who fought the war. Leaving Vietnam the way we did was embarrassing but wise; leaving men unaccounted for behind will be an unending issue.

Remembering Vietnam brings mixed emotions. The truth be known, the cost of freedom has never been inexpensive, and that cost is usually paid in blood. Americans have paid that price for years.

Opinions are many, who is right, who is wrong, and who knows?

I speak on behalf of those men I knew, whom I lived with, fought along side, sacrificed with, and those I watched die - too many died for a political error. I have paid the price. I caution all those who mistakenly disrespect the U.S. military for having done their duty in Vietnam: Do not confuse our honor or duty with mistakes of U.S. policy at that time.

The Vietnam War was a sad event for most Americans.

Vietnam is an easy topic to ridicule, judge, infer anti-war strategy, more often than not by those who did their very best to avoid serving.

My reflections are of my squad, company, and those who did not return, and for being remorseful for the evil men do, for saving grace. I will remember smiling faces of teenagers whose lives ended in a breath; I will never forget.

We were kids, we were young kids, who were forced to be men in a very bad place - just like today.

Rocco DiPierro served with Charlie Co. 1/27th infantry, 25th Infantry Division 1968. He lives in New Hartford.