We Won Nothing in Vietnam War

Kenneth L. Khachigian’s attempt to rewrite the history of the Vietnam War in his March 14 column with the phrase “There was a hard-won peace in Vietnam . . .” cannot go without comment.

We didn’t win anything in Vietnam, and I wish the right wing would recognize that fact.

When the last American soldier leaves clinging to the skids of the last American helicopter to leave embassy grounds, that’s a licking, not a “hard-won peace.”

Does Khachigian remember the character of the leaders of the so-called Republic of South Vietnam who betrayed not only America’s friendship, but the trust of their own people?

Does Khachigian remember that Richard M. Nixon ran in 1968 by saying he had a “secret plan to end the war” and that, instead, more Americans died after Nixon took over than in the 20 years before?

The reasons some of us are nervous is that some politicians like Khachigian seem to have missed the message of Vietnam: No matter how noble the cause, if you can’t change the outcome, don’t fight.

JIM CORBETT

San Clemente