Remembering the War and Facing Mistakes

Schenectady Gazette
October 8, 1988

Vietnam is back and it is not just Dan Quayle. The real issue is what does Vietnam mean to us in the late
1980s? That is both a personal question and one that our society must face at some point.

Many of us have chosen to face that question from the position of strength. I am glad I went to Vietnam;
in an odd way it has made me a stronger person. I appreciate that I remember the day I received my
orders and the eight months of Vietnamese language school, wondering what it would be like. I
devoured all the information that I could about the war, hoping that it would prepare me and increase
my survival odds. I didn’t. It would be arrogant to say that somehow I was able to determine my own
survival. I can only be grateful that I did make it home alive and feel pain over those who did not.

Vietnam taught me a great deal about myself and my country. I found much to be proud of and enough
to be ashamed of. In many ways, I participated in my generation’s coming of age at the same time that
America faced its own adolescence. We were clumsy and overbearing; out of touch with the effect we
had on the rest of the world. It is hard for many veterans admit, but while we were there, many of us
knew it was wrong. We knew that we were not supporting a democratic government. But we needed to
survive. We did what we needed to do. We didn’t know how to stop and neither did America.

The tragedy is how many forgot what they knew once they made it home. Even after the majority of this
country turned against the war, our government leaders could not admit that it was a mistake. Today, I
know better. I have had to admit a few mistakes and change direction. I have watched quite a few
Vietnam veterans do the same, lately. Whether they are confronting alcohol and drug problems, bad
marriages, counterproductive work habits, or looking to material possessions as if they give us a secure
world, Vietnam veterans are one by one turning themselves around and bringing themselves home.

l often wonder if this country isn’t doing the same. I would like to think so. The environmental
movement is teaching us about some of our mistakes. Homeless activists are teaching us about the
mistakes of shutting down the federal housing programs; and asking us to open our hearts to each
other. Central American activists are teaching us that we can make the same adolescent mistakes closer
to home. The nuclear freeze movement taught us and we must develop some sort of arms treaty with
the Russians. So what if our actor/president claims credit. What matters here is that progress is made.

I believe this country could be stronger, however, if the leaders were able to admit that we make
mistakes. A little humility would go a long way to increasing our credibility in the world. We Vietnam
veterans have seen where our arrogance has gotten us-isolated.

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The American century is almost over. We are no longer an independent power, with all the privileges
that come with unique economic and military power. We are part of a global community with more
responsibilities than prerogatives. Vietnam has taught me the limits of my own power, to appreciate
that my perspective is one of many. I feel confident in expressing it and encourage others to come forth
with their own. I would like to believe that it has taught America the same lesson. Our survival may
depend on it.

Vietnam gave my generation a passion for justice and for truth, even when the consequences made us
uncomfortable. America has benefited from that passion. We are all stronger. The world will be safer.
Now we need to move forward again. So we made a mistake. Now what are we going to do? We can
keep trying to prove that we were right and get another 58,000 killed in some “adventure” for young
boys to grow up in. Or we can turn around and choose a healthier and more productive direction. Build
housing for the homeless, reform welfare, make peace based on individual and national dignity, protect
the environment, and create jobs that give families an opportunity to share in American prosperity. If
we go in that direction, then we will have won the war against ourselves. Vietnam will have served some
purpose after all.

Edward Murphy is a Vietnam veteran and political activists, is a regular contributor to the Saturday Op-
Ed Page.