I've hesitated to write this post because I know that many of you served in Vietnam, are of the Vietnam War generation, and because the War (rightfully) is such a divisive topic even today (rightfully). But after watching the first part of this documentary, I wanted to discuss some of my thoughts with you because I feel it could be a good discussion.
I've been working my way through this documentary (I'm on Ep.5 currently, which is 1967 and after). As a 29 year old millenial whose understanding of the war came from books, the history channel, and my father's friends' tales of their time in Vietnam, this documentary has been so eye-opening I daresay at the end it might be life-changing for my understanding of our country and where we are today. From this documentary, I can see, in many ways, why certain groups believe what they believe today, use the tactics that they use today, and how America was shaken and then reformed into the union it is today.
Let me first say that the young men who were sent to fight in this war deserve more respect than we can ever give them, regardless of the tasks they were ordered to undertake. They answer the call for their country, even if that call was completely misguided. I wish I could honor their sacrifice more.
After finishing episode 4 last night, I had a profound feeling of sadness and regret. I am student of history, so I knew a good bit about the Vietnam War, the geopolitical struggle it was a part of and the culture struggle and turmoil it created. But this documentary has put into sharp focus issues that I have only, if I am honest with myself, touched on in a cursory and almost one-sidedly dogmatic way.
I, like many others of my generation, have/had a view that American military might is uniquely exceptional and dominant, and that our cause is righteous despite mistakes along the way. For us millenials, we saw this play out in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now against ISIS in large part. This documentary is causing me to evaluate many, if not all, of my previous assumptions about the use of military force across the world and the need for greater culture understandings before taking such action. Some instincts that I had about Iraq have been confirmed, while others shattered.
I just hope that future leaders, maybe one day myself, can learn the lessons that many of you lived through. And I also believe that this documentary should be required viewing in every Freshman high school class across the country. It's that important, IMO.
I've been working my way through this documentary (I'm on Ep.5 currently, which is 1967 and after). As a 29 year old millenial whose understanding of the war came from books, the history channel, and my father's friends' tales of their time in Vietnam, this documentary has been so eye-opening I daresay at the end it might be life-changing for my understanding of our country and where we are today. From this documentary, I can see, in many ways, why certain groups believe what they believe today, use the tactics that they use today, and how America was shaken and then reformed into the union it is today.
Let me first say that the young men who were sent to fight in this war deserve more respect than we can ever give them, regardless of the tasks they were ordered to undertake. They answer the call for their country, even if that call was completely misguided. I wish I could honor their sacrifice more.
After finishing episode 4 last night, I had a profound feeling of sadness and regret. I am student of history, so I knew a good bit about the Vietnam War, the geopolitical struggle it was a part of and the culture struggle and turmoil it created. But this documentary has put into sharp focus issues that I have only, if I am honest with myself, touched on in a cursory and almost one-sidedly dogmatic way.
I, like many others of my generation, have/had a view that American military might is uniquely exceptional and dominant, and that our cause is righteous despite mistakes along the way. For us millenials, we saw this play out in Afghanistan, Iraq, and now against ISIS in large part. This documentary is causing me to evaluate many, if not all, of my previous assumptions about the use of military force across the world and the need for greater culture understandings before taking such action. Some instincts that I had about Iraq have been confirmed, while others shattered.
I just hope that future leaders, maybe one day myself, can learn the lessons that many of you lived through. And I also believe that this documentary should be required viewing in every Freshman high school class across the country. It's that important, IMO.
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