On Jan. 30, 1968, the Tet Offensive began and lasted 30 days. According to the reports, early in the morning, North Vietnamese troops and Viet Cong forces attacked both towns and cities in South Vietnam, breaking the ceasefire that had been called for the Vietnamese holiday of Tet (the lunar new year).

When the number of casualties was reported, many were shocked to hear that, between the United States and South Vietnam, 12,727 people were included in the casualty total. There were more than 2,600 fatalities.

It was a devastating time for Americans.

During the initial phase of the offensive, Time Magazine started posting photos of  deceased soldiers as the U.S. death toll in Vietnam had increased to more than 500 per week, according to sources.

Many young American men lost their lives, and their memory is fading as well.

Let us remember their sacrifice and the families that were left behind. The Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston has the names of all our boys from Lewiston and Auburn who lost their lives.

Paul R. Bernard, Turner, past L-A Veterans Council chairman