If the goal was nation building, Vietnam should have told us not to try. We cannot and should not attempt to impose our values on any people. We gave them 20 years of relative freedom for women in a culture that has no respect for women. Sadly, their security forces walked away from their women and children without a fight.

Americans cannot fight and die for people who will not fight for themselves. Shortly before his death, President Kennedy said American boys should not be asked to fight a war that is the responsibility of Vietnamese boys. His successors did not listen and 53,000 Americans died in the years that followed. Countless thousands of Vietnamese allies were left behind.This always happens. It’s messy and in Afghanistan, the government would not cooperate with evacuation efforts,fearing panic and keeping pressure on America to stay.

When will we learn? Perhaps never. But Biden is the exception to policies follwed by past Presidents. I for one hope he is not the last to understand that nation building never works. It brings needless death and suffering, guilt, regrets and anger. Those who fought, died and served gave these people a chance. They did not take it. You did not fail or sacrifice in vain. Thank you for your service.