It would be nice to walk, or sail, away from the unpleasant things of life, but sometimes they follow us. Sailing on the Sound, original watercolor by Steve Henderson, sold.

Anniversaries are supposed to be celebratory things, generally of weddings, when a couple starts a whole new life together. How odd that we use the same word, “anniversary,” to acknowledge — surely not celebrate? — the unwanted introduction of the Vietnam War into all of our lives.

I was two years old when Lyndon B. Johnson sanctioned the forcible sending of young men into a conflict that, according to my U.S. History teacher years later, “was never intended to be won.” I was 13 when the debacle officially ended.

The more awake you become, the less that you will fit in. Learn how to be a successful misfit. Paperback and digital at amazon.com.

Only it didn’t end, because those soldiers who came back returned to a life that their mothers never envisioned when their sons were born. How many of us have seen men with alcohol, drug, and lifestyle problems and said,

“Oh, yeah. He was in the Vietnam War. He’s never been the same since”?

I know. War, and especially the Vietnam War, is not a popular subject. But as Christians we live in a world where war is imposed upon us, and we might want to develop an opinion about it. Please read the rest at Will We Ever Say Good-bye to the Legacy of the Vietnam War? at my Commonsense Christianity blog.

This article is linked to Graced Simplicity, This Sweet Life, I Choose Joy, Hope in Every Season, Jenni Mullinix, Shine Blog, Mom on Demand, Children Are a Blessing, Simple Moments Stick, Missional Woman, Christian Mom Blogger, Essential Things, Fellowship Friday, Family Fun Friday, Friendship Friday, Hungry Hippo, The Jenny Evolution, Love Bakes Good Cakes, A Look at the Book, Modest Monday, Mama Moments, What Joy Is Mine, Nourishing Joy, Mom Moments, Moms the Word, The Missional Woman, Thoughtful Spot, Motivation Monday