Vietnam anniversary evokes memories: #tellusatoday

Last week marked the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. Readers discuss memories and the country today, which is still very divided over the civil war. Comments from Facebook and Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

In 40 years, the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification will still show differences and malcontents, albeit much less. After all, the U.S. civil war, which ended 150 years ago, did not stop North-South animosity.

It's naive to expect an on-off switch mechanism to control humanity! Hopefully, the next generation of Vietnamese will positively view these differences as "rich diversity."

— Hai Nguyen

I remember the terror of those clinging to the helicopters, trying to escape communism.

I also remember the glazed eyes of those returning U.S. soldiers who were prisoners of war as they were finally released.

— @ScottHolleran

Forty years since the fall of Saigon. Soon after, my parents fled Vietnam. No one wants to be stateless. Being a refugee is not a choice.

— @yungkha

It is so sad so many of our fine young men died over there in Vietnam for this.

We never seem to learn that we cannot impose our noble intentions on other cultures.

— David Hale

The nation blew it in Vietnam big time, but it was not the fault of regular Joes.

In fact, conscription dictated the fate of many young men who never came home, never had a choice about joining in the first place.

It wasn't a "job" as it today for our all-volunteer force — many who serve a few years then move along — but rather a national commitment that many could not legally back out of.

— Chas Holman

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.