European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 21, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I our in si20 years later reliving the Day of  Rich Lane ii passes each year without notice. Unlike dec. 7,1941, or nov. 22, 1963, there a nothing significant about the Date. And unlike the bomb ing of Pearl Harbor or the assassination of president Kennedy its not the kind of event that causes people to Stop and remember where they were and what they were doing when it happened. It passed again last month a Jan. 27, to be exact. Twenty years ago on that Day the Paris peace pacts were signed signalling the end of americans combat role in the Vietnam War. President Nixon told a War weary Public that their National Nightmare was finally Over. America had achieved peace with Honor and All our fighting men and women would come Home from Vietnam in 60 Dan after 13 year Over 50,000 deaths and the squandering of precious resources our involvement in Southeast Asia was about to end there would be no ticker tape parades or Public celebrations it was Over a not with a hang hut with a whimper. They say time heals All wounds but 20 years seems an inadequate mourning period for an experience of such tragic proportions As Vietnam the most unsuccessful War in our history. For those who lived through that period it still brings Forth a Kaleidoscope of bitter memories a body bags and body counts names of friends carved on a Black Marble Wall newscasts and press accounts about villages we destroyed in order to save family fights and feuds pitting on generation against another Over the meaning of duty Honor and country. Author studs Turk cd called world War la a Quot Good War a Vietnam was the War nobody really wanted a few Ever fully understood and most would rather forget about now. For some of us however putting that War completely out of our minds Isnit that easy. The Vietnam War presented a generation of americans with difficult decisions. Some took up the Call to arms and served their country with Honor while others chose to avoid service at any Cost. And then there were those fortunate few with a High lottery number student deferment or physical impediment that allowed them to sit on the sidelines. But whether you went to Canada can Tho South Vietnam or Kent state the War touched everyone. Twenty years ago i was in vict Nman Manning a defensive position at Tan son Nhut a during a mortar and rocket attack launched in the final hours. Of the wars hostilities la was a quiet sunday morn ing in january and the Foremost thought on every ones mind was simply try ing to avoid becoming the last casually of that War. Since then in be never been Able to completely forget the Vietnam War or my own experiences. And As i grow older in a not sure i should. I realize now that it was an important part of my life a personal rite of passage into maturity. I also find myself less prone to judge those who took a different Road than the one i travelled. 1 done to condemn them for their actions nor do i regret or apologize for my own. I was proud to serve and still feel Pride in calling myself a Vietnam vet. I Salute my fellow vets and Grieve for those who did not return As Well As those who came Back with broken minds and bodies. We ask for nothing More than the respect we feel we earned and deserve for doing our duty. My wish now for All my fellow americans on the 20th anniversary of the end of the  War is simply that we make our own private peace with that conflict and put it behind us. Its time we move on. Rich Lane works in Heidelberg  in your column plus photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11,  laugh schwadr0n Usa to cd a if a Tavel icum Tummy fimm clout i of Lettle 3hcd9 f Lasat Castin Wam wlm i anti Martin Toronto Canada get a is to contents Lara Flynn Boyle goes after Timothy Hutton in the from the cover. 4-6 ids in the military through Dan. Sidelights. 7.9 permanent zealousness in Quot the  Alexandra Wentworth of Quot in living color. A Clarence Page on a Marge Schott solution. Odds amp ends. 10 Erma Bombeck praises Arthur Ashe s legacy. In tune. 11 vie Quot evening Shade smoke out. This weeks films.12-13 Chuck Vinch on Quot the vanishing. A cafes circuit  listings 14.17 local Cable and satellite  entertainment 18 the craziness of Quot death becomes her. A. Paramount pictures temp a new thriller on the corporate Jungle. Page 7. Voices. 20-21 Joe Bob Briggs nominates his hubbies. Words amp wit .24 James Kilpatrick on the basics. Books. 25 h Omen who run with the wolves a Sells fast. On Parade. 27 the Beatty Bening marital affair. Last laugh. .28 Dave Barry gets the facts straight. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes. Editor Bucky Fox Art direction Susan p. Harris production Mon Trice Presley Denise Adams editorial assistance Louis d. Pierce