Saigon, the capitol of the Republic of Viet Nam, fell 40 years ago today on 30 April, 1975 to invading North Viet Namese troops after decades of fighting. Seen below is an image of the evacuation of Saigon. There are so many iconic images from that war but this one shows us the end of the struggle.
Viet Nam was very much a part of our national psyche as I grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s and affected me in may ways. When I enlisted in 1985 my drill sergeant was a Viet Nam veteran as were most of the senior NCOs and Officers I worked for over the next decade. Much of what I learned about soldiering came from them and their hard earned lessons of fighting a very capable enemy. I owe them all much.
I’d like to take today to reflect on them, their service and the generation that raised me, including my father. I’d also like to raise a toast to those who fell during that conflict in defense of our ideals.
Thank you all for your dedication. I personally gained a lot from it and it was not in vain.
