Lance Dickie / Seattle Times editorial columnist
Respecting their sacrifice in dusty, distant places

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Will that tiresome Vietnam War ever go away?

I can say with the greatest of confidence, yes and no.

In a presidential campaign, the importance of any conflict depends on how candidates can exploit events and images for maximum advantage.

Republicans pounded away with great gusto on Bill Clinton for skipping Vietnam to study abroad and not inhale marijuana. This time around, Democrat John Kerry has a war hero's story to tell, and it's nothing but eye-rolls from the GOP about self-indulgent baby boomers who refuse to let go.

In political terms, the Republican reaction translates to President George Bush not having a Vietnam-era tale he wants to talk about. So a great deal of effort is invested in pooh-poohing Kerry's record and changing the subject: Spare us those gray-haired geezers following Kerry around to blather about something that happened, what, almost 40 years ago?

Well, if Bush had them, they'd be front and center at every photo op, just as Kerry embraces them.

Vietnam will be ancient history when younger vets come of age in politics, and recalibrate the nation's military benchmarks to their generation's experience. Each in their time defines what counts.

That is the big picture.

Much, much closer to home, facing wartime hostilities can be life-defining.

For veterans in disparate conflicts — from World War II to Iraq — the common denominator is individual contribution.

The personal impact — from searing memory to glorious adventure — transcends any historical or cultural shorthand for what is later judged to be right or wrong about a foreign policy or defense strategy.

The outward and visible signs of intensely proud participation are campaign ribbons. They mean a lot, as they should.

Civilians may only see bits of brightly colored cloth, but for veterans they tell a story, and provide a virtual reader board of service and sacrifice and camaraderie.

Last week, the House Armed Services Committee passed a bipartisan bill to create specific campaign medals for troops who serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Pentagon opposes such recognition in favor of two new Global War on Terrorism medals created by President Bush in March 2003.

The Pentagon-favored medals provide either a generic recognition of statewide service in the war on terrorism, or an expeditionary medal for service overseas. They do not acknowledge individual campaigns, nor would tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq earn two medals.

Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran Vic Snyder, a medical doctor and Democratic House member from Arkansas, has taken the lead on remedial legislation. Committee chair Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who served in the Army in Vietnam, is a key supporter.

Other vets and co-sponsors on the committee include Reps. Rob Simmons, R-Conn., and Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, whose home district includes the Army's 507th Maintenance Company, which was ambushed near Nasiriyah after taking a wrong turn.

By the way, a soldier from Salem, Ore., Sgt. Donald Walters, was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for actions similar to those initially ascribed to another 507th casualty, Jessica Lynch.

Snyder said Tuesday the bill has no opposition and 97 co-sponsors at last count. He emphasizes the two medals would complement, not replace, the medals conceived by the administration.

For Snyder, medals for Iraq and Afghanistan in the war on terrorism are no different than service awards for Korea and Vietnam in the war on communism.

Medal design and eligibility are left to the Bush administration.

Despite the bill's popularity, it is not obvious how it becomes law.

Perhaps it can be attached to other defense legislation or it could be a stand-alone bill, though no majority party easily cedes credit for a good thing to the minority party.

Military campaign medals go to those who fight, die and hold ground in specific geographic areas.

No one who returns home or swaps stories at the officers' club is going to talk about the global war on terrorism. They will tell and retell what they did in dangerous, dusty and distant places.

The stories — the good, the bad and the exaggerated — will crowd out and replace Vietnam. It is the natural order of things.

History will judge the wisdom of decisions and policies that send warriors into harm's way.

Let us respect and honor individual contribution and sacrifice. A medal — a significant and tangible representation of service — is the very least the nation can offer.

Lance Dickie's column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. His e-mail address is ldickie@seattletimes.com

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