Clinton’s Visit to Vietnam Wall

In response to “Clinton Cheered, Jeered at Vietnam Memorial,” June 1:

While I doubt that I demonstrated against the Vietnam War along side President Clinton, I was very much opposed to the war. There were millions of us. Where are they now? Do they feel that because they protested they cannot go the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, because it may upset the vets?

I’m sorry for sounding insensitive to those whose lives were affected by serving in the senseless action, but I feel that I am just as much part of the wall as they are. For when someone approaches the wall and gets closer to the structure itself, we all become one with it. We feel it, it screams at us when we are near it. It symbolizes the futility of what happened then and the senselessness of war all together.

By being the only sitting President to accept an invitation to speak at the memorial during Memorial Day activities, he tells me that he cares more about people, specifically the veterans who have served, than any other sitting President.

SANDRA MASSA-LAVITT

Palm Desert

* There is a small but vocal minority who perversely revel in their own sense of victimization. They blame real and perceived troubles in their own lives as a direct result of Vietnam. To those few: Knock it off! Your post-traumatic experience has crossed over into whining and whimpering. Your love of being a victim is tiring and disrespectful of those who died with honor. The horrors of combat in Vietnam didn’t exceed the horrors of the trenches of World War I or the terror of Okinawa or Iwo Jima. No matter what, “war is hell!”

This whining has spilled over to the observances at the wall. It would behoove those vocal and rude few who booed the President to remember that protest is not cowardice and to live Lincoln’s healing words: “With malice toward none and charity for all.”

LELAND P. HAMMERSCHMITT

Ojai

* I write in frustration. I saw the President on TV visiting and speaking at the Vietnam memorial. I am appalled and deeply offended that he would do such a thing on a day that carries so much deep meaning to those of us who are combat veterans and to the families of those who did not make it home.

Perhaps there are not enough of us left anymore to affect the political photo-ops of such an occasion.

I would like to go on record as being disgusted and really upset that Clinton, with his sordid personal draft baggage, would have the gall to visit and sully such a special place on Memorial Day.

CARLETON B. SCOTT

Los Alamitos

* Your article noted that Clinton “ . . . was well received in a commencement speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point.” I beg to differ. I was present to the commencement and would agree with the more accurate description reported by several Eastern papers, i.e., “President Clinton received a cordial but tepid reception” at West Point.

The attempt to mend a fence was appreciated, but the President has a long way to go before those who served their country with honor can forget the fact that he dodged that opportunity.

J. ROBINSON

Hacienda Heights

* Having observed and read about Clinton’s visit to the Vietnam memorial, I as a veteran of the whole Southeast Asia mess (awarded medals for participation in Laos, Quemoy-Matsu and Vietnam) think those who objected to the President’s participation at the wall should reflect back when President Truman was left waiting for Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s arrival in the South Pacific.

Later President Truman said he did not care what MacArthur thought of him, but MacArthur should have respect for the office of the President and that he was not visiting MacArthur as an individual, but as his commander in chief.

Likewise, I believe that President Clinton should have the respect of the position he holds as commander in chief of our armed forces.

GARETH L. PAWLOWSKI

Burbank

* After saying that I feel the heckling President Clinton received at the Vietnam memorial was a disgrace, let me ask one question: Does no one in our country have a son, a brother or a husband who in his own way avoided the draft? And was there no forgiveness?

THELMA BRAND

Seal Beach