I recently took some time in reflection about the lives lost in the war and the unholy paradox that exists because of it.
You know that there are over 58,202 lives lost in the war? Multiply that times the conservative number of 2 (2 children that they might have had, had they lived) which equals 116404.
And now add that to their lost dads of 58,202... that's 174,606 lives missing from us today.
But remember that the family structure of the 1960's did not change much from the 1940's and 1950's; most parents had around 5 kids! - the number at that figure is now 291010 + 58202 = 349212.
Now on top of this figure, consider the grandchildren that are now missing.. the number keeps growing and growing. How many might have been influential people, Presidents, Congressmen? Doctors? Maybe a cure for cancer? AIDS? The war didn't only end the lives of 58,202 men and women, it also ended forever, their progeny! What a TREMENDOUS and TRAGIC loss for this country!!
The cost can never be truly calculated! These are considerations few people who even care to recall the losses in Vietnam casually, have ever even thought about... yet will forever be missing..
Then add to this National Tragedy, the loss in terms of the contributions these men and women would have made to us, had they lived, and the number escalates to phenomenal proportions.. something to think about, huh?
Perhaps we all should send such a letter to all the congressmen , Senators, and even our President to consider, so that they may think twice next time they consider sending our youth and all their progeny into harms way? With such considerations, our Freedoms have come to us by an unimaginable cost!
- Jake