Dan Reinhard, Minot

I was shocked as my high school English teacher turned toward the class and said: “We entered the war in Vietnam based upon a lie.” For a moment I thought, here we go, another war protestor holding a piece of chalk and standing right in front of me.

Then, Mr. White explained that he was a naval officer aboard the destroyer USS Maddox serving in the Gulf of Tonkin on August 4, 1964. He continued by saying that his captain announced to the fleet commander that his vessel had received sonar images of torpedoes launched by the North Vietnamese navy. Mr. White then said: “that never happened.”

According to Lt. John White, that false incident, was used as a trigger by President Johnson and Defense Secretary McNamara to launch the full scale invasion into Vietnam. After receiving harsh retribution from the Navy, he resigned his commission. A few years later, he submitted a Letter to the Editor at The New Haven Register, in Connecticut, describing the entire “lie of omission.” That letter resulted in heated debate throughout the Defense Department and the US Navy. The Navy eventually resolved the conflict by admitting that there probably were false radar and sonar returns on that day in question. After years of research to include meeting with the sonar operator, Mr. John White published his first book on the subject.

Though I am a Vietnam veteran, I feel no shame for all that happened in that unpopular war. There will always be the highest level of respect -to the depths of my heart -for all of those that honorably wear our Nation’s uniforms -from the past to the present day. And until the day comes when I fight my final battle…

It wasn’t till I made that long journey to our National Park in Washington, D.C., to see The Wall when I finally put the torment within me to rest forever. I could see several yellow and red roses laying solemnly along the base of The Wall. There were a few women sobbing and few folks with a paper and pencil tracing the name of a loved one that did not make it home. As my legs began to tremble, my daughter placed her arm under my arm as we walked slowly gazing upon the 57,934 names (at the time) that were etched into the polished black granite. When we finally walked away, I said to my daughter: Never again.

I know at the time the decision was made to invade the sovereign nation of Afghanistan, our entire country was looking for revenge in the aftermath of 911. While I do not believe that was a sole deciding factor, I’ve often wondered what the Taliban had to do with 911. I know that bin Laden was being harbored there, but do we invade a country under that premise? After all, was it not a small SEAL team that ended his existence? I know that Afghanistan has in the past and will continue to provide a safe haven for international terrorists. However, after 2,448 Americans have died and 20,320 were wounded there, tell me please, what do I say to the survivors after our retreat?