U.S. leaders learn lessons from Vietnam

Militarily, this nation has made tremendous strides since the anguish of the Vietnam War. Those who were alive during that terrible war can tell you how it tore America apart, pitting peace protesters against the military and the nation's youth against the establishment.

The agonizing war finally ended in futility, with little of consequence accomplished from a military standpoint.

Still, looking back, the Vietnam war served an important purpose. It taught America -- militarily, politically and pride-wise -- never again to wage war half-way.

America's successes since the Vietnam War underscore that point. Determined not to engage in half-hearted warfare, the nation has joined forces to build the world's finest professional fighting force. As a result, in every conflict since that time, America has been ready, reacting appropriately and effectively when trouble spots emerged.

The list of successes is ongoing. The military challenges come quickly to mind: Grenada ... Panama ... Desert Storm ... the War on Terror ... Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan ... and Iraqi Freedom.

Yes, there have been protests. Not everyone agrees, in every case, with the way America has waged war. But it is so much better now than it was during the divisive debate during the Vietnam War.

Americans of the 21st Century may disagree on when, where and whether war should be fought. But there is growing pride in our fighting men and women, with the nation united in love and support for the heroism of our troops.

As a nation, we've come so far. It still shames us how poorly we treated young Americans on their return from Vietnam, but -- in retrospect -- the men and women of that conflict taught us so much.

They taught us that America's military must be fully prepared and equipped when we send troops into battle. War can't be a half-way effort. It must be all-out. Otherwise, we put our fighting force and our nation's freedom in needless peril.

The Vietnam Wall in Washington speaks volumes. With their lives, the men and women of that war taught us the fight for freedom must never again be waged without a total military commitment.