Memorial Day is coming in a few days, so it’s time to not only honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in military service but also to recognize and support our veterans. As we reflect on the significance of this holiday, I can’t help think about my trip to Vietnam in January of this year. The trip left a profound impact on me.

During our final days in Vietnam, my husband Bill, daughter Katie, and I, along with our new travel companions, visited the Chu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages originally dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The memorial to fallen soldiers included a shooting range where visitors could fire rifles for a fee. This resulted in echoes of gunfire serving as a stark reminder of the wartime realities faced by those who lived and fought in the region. Yet, unlike the palpable fear that must have gripped the men and women during those tumultuous times, we were tourists who would return to our hotels with warm showers, our lovely dinners, and physical and emotional safety in a few short hours.

Our trip continued with a visit to the War Remnants Museum, an experience that evoked a somber and harrowing reflection. The atrocities depicted served as poignant reminders of the capacity for human cruelty and the enduring scars of conflict. I was so overwhelmed by the emotional weight of these encounters that I found myself unable to snap pictures on my cell phone.

In the midst of grappling with these intense emotions, my mind focused on our veterans. Their sacrifice and courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances are beyond words, and I am both humbled and filled with gratitude for their service.