50 years ago today, a conventional military offensive - not a partisan uprising or guerilla warfare - finally brought the end of Saigon and the nation of South Vietnam. It closed the books on what was, to that point, America's longest war, and the first we lost, even if not on the battlefield
Although the anniversary lived in my memory all day, I've seen precious little about it in the news, or on social media. Two history accounts on Instagram posted about it, and that was it for my algorithm.
That's so hard to believe. Growing up in the immediate wake of the war in the 70's and 80's it seemed destined to be a permanent stain on our psyche. The anger over the loss of so many men for, in the end, nothing; the loss of trust in government; the embarrassment over the iconic photos of Saigon's fall, and the tens of thousands of allies we left behind to endure "re-education camps" and misery.
Growing up, "Vietnam" was just another name for the bogeyman. The 10th anniversary, in 1985, was like reliving a funeral.
And now?
Ask a teenager what's the first thought that pops into their head when you mention Vietnam and they'll probably answer "Pho." Vietnamese restaurants are scattered throughout my city, one only a short walk down the road from my home.
We, as a people, have chosen to move on, to view Vietnam as just another nation in the world, with the war now confined to history books and Hollywood movies. And that's a good thing. Let Europe hold a grudge for centuries over long forgotten squabbles. I have no energy for that nonsense.
To those who fought for us in Vietnam, including my own father, thank you for your service.
To those Vietamese we couldn't help that awful April day in Saigon, I'm sorry.
And to the worst of the stigma of that era, I'm glad you're gone.
