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"I grew up in Vietnam."
Tom Donohue of Loyalsock Township told a Williamsport Sun-Gazette reporter this several years ago, and today -- National Vietnam War Veterans Day -- provides us all on opportunity to reflect on it.
Hundreds of thousands of young men -- many right out of high school -- either enlisted or were drafted into military service and deployed to Vietnam in the 1960s and '70s.
As Donohue, who praised his sergeants and other leaders as "very good mentors" noted, these young men had to quickly adjust to an environment were even small mistakes could get them or their fellow American soldiers killed.
It was a solemn, momentous process. It left lasting scars on a generation and on America.
One of the most shameful aspects of American life in this era, as Donohue and veteran Richard James noted in past Sun-Gazette profiles, was the irresponsible conflating by anti-war activists of the war which they opposed and the men who were asked to risk the ultimate sacrifice in that war.
In subsequent conflicts, the public has done better in separating how they may feel about the political decision to engage in military action and the service of soldiers, sailors and other personnel.
We are reassured that America is also reassessing that shameful treatment of veterans. The Lycoming County Veterans Park Commission erected a memorial at the park to Vietnam veterans. Numerous initiatives to ensure Vietnam veterans receive the assistance they earned have been undertaken.
More, of course, still needs done -- for our Vietnam veterans and for all veterans. But we are soothed that our society seems to have learned lessons from the Vietnam era.
We hope these lessons are not forgotten. We hope the bravery and selflessness of our veterans also is never forgotten.