Letter: U.S. troops didn't lose Vietnam

Regarding "Vietnam: self-sufficient and vigilant" [Opinion, Dec. 4], let me say that we did not lose the Vietnam War on the field of battle. Maybe we lost on paper at the Paris Peace Accords. This nation and those who served with honor and love of nation left so much behind for the South Vietnamese Army. We never shunned our commitment and duty. Sadly, the south did not stand and fight. The peace accord allowed the North Vietnamese to keep thousands of their soldiers in the south. Bad move.

The war is long over, but the sacrifices and the service of our men and women are not forgotten. The next time we think about any involvement, let those on Capitol Hill in our land of the free and home of the brave join the military and put their boots on the ground somewhere, before they pound their chests and say, let's go. Very few up on the Hill have served our nation.

Our sons and daughters now serving are our true American patriots, as are those who have gone before them, including myself and the other 2 million of us s who went to Vietnam. The memorial wall in Washington is our mark in history. Those with names on the wall deserve respect, and those on Capitol Hill should feel humbled by their sacrifices.

Paul Masi, Bethpage

Editor's note: The writer is the president of Chapter 82, Nassau County Vietnam Veterans of America.