If you can, reserve a place for them inside you and save a look back when you leave for places they can no longer go. Don't be ashamed to say you loved them, even though you may or may not always have. Take what they taught you with their death and keep it with you. And in that moment when men decide and feel safe to call war crazy, take a moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind. David Giffy (Vietnam veteran) The Vietnam War lasted from 1959 to 1975 and had serious consequences that greatly influenced not only the history of Vietnam itself but also that of other countries. It was a civil war in which the belligerents, South Vietnam and North Vietnam, were supported respectively by world powers such as the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies. Although the main purpose of the war was to unify Vietnam as a state, over time the war began to be accepted, especially by Americans, as another battle against the communist regime. That is why, initially, all government actions were supported by the American public. For the United States it was a tough war and a useful lesson for the future. The Americans were sent to South Vietnam to defend the local rebels, who in strength and quantity excelled the American troops. Moreover, as American leaders later admitted, they did not know the power of their enemies and could not correctly assess it, they did not know the potential of the country and the people. So American participation in the war was doomed to failure. Aware of this, it is even more terrible to realize how many of our compatriots died there, fighting for South Vietnam but, in fact, without having achieved any objective. Like any war, the Vietnam War was cruel and devastating; took lives of...... middle of paper......am The Veteran's Memorial Wall in particular, is a more specialized monument and is dedicated only to Americans who died or were missing during the war. Of course, this type of patriotic monuments should always be present in countries, but, however, they should not educate nationalistic views among contemporaries and future generations. People should consider wars from the perspective of their pernicious impact and the disasters they bring, not from the perspective of their use for a concrete nation. To conclude, I am inclined to believe that any activity, directed at cultural heritage and historical memory, is essential for people. Unfortunately wars are part of our life, they take human lives. That is why it is our duty to remember those who died for us. The Vietnam War was not a success for America, but it still taught us a good lesson for the future.