A Complete Footnote

Viet Nam combat veterans brought up Jane Fonda during discussion. Many, after forty years, still held strong feelings of contempt for her while there was expression of the need to "let go" and put her and the war behind us. Jane Fonda should never become irrelevant in our memories or in the history of the war and the American culture that has come to define "that time." By her choice of actions back then she established herself in a role that must continue to define her. Her chosen images back then created strong feelings among the grunts who had fought and were fighting in Viet Nam. Don't dare to suggest that she has cleansed herself through the passage of time or a carefully worded "my bad." To "let go" is to pardon the unpardonable. Each veteran has the ability and right to forgive. But, her niche in this history must remain for future generations to judge as well. If, whenever and however small the footnote may be written, it should include the strength of the disdain of American veterans. Possibly, future conduct will be forestalled by an appreciation for the seriousness of its affect.