Today we commemorate those who fought in the Vietnam war. During the war nearly 2.7 million men and women served our country. Nearly 58,000 Americans died. Although all American troops withdrew in 1973, many soldiers and their families continued to deal with the aftermath.

If you happen to be in DC, I highly recommend going by the Vietnam War Memorial Wall. It is a truly humbly experience, and it never fails to provide an unforgettable experience. I have been multiple times, and I have witness veterans searching out their buddies, siblings, and children remembering their loved ones. It reminds me of the fact that many of these soldiers were drafted, and they never planned for this.

Many books have been written about the Vietnam War, and I just recently read Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried.

In this novel, the reader follows the members of Alpha Company through the eyes of Tim O’Brien, who survives his tour in Vietnam and returns to become a father and writer. We get to know the men of Alpha Company initially through the things they carry with them physically and mentally. We also learn the healing power of storytelling.

A shameless plug for my hometown of Perryville, Missouri: I know that many Vietnam veterans are getting older and an honor flight or traveling to see the Wall in Washington DC may be too daunting of a task. Did you know that we have an exact replica? Consider making a visit. It is fully handicap accessible.