A Secret War

For virtually the entirety of the time the United States fought the war in Vietnam, our armed forces were engaged in a secret war in Laos. Our nation did not publically admit this until May of 1997.

And I am certain that this is what the beloved well-respected AP American History teacher was cleverly eluding to when he asked his class Where was the Vietnam War fought?

Yet when a young female student eagerly raised her hand to respond I expect that her answer was not what he would have predicted. The girl proudly stated that the Vietnam War was fought in Canada. 

It would seem she was not even close.

But the teacher, without emotion, simply said No and then asked Anybody else?

Teachers face a battle every day. They fight a teenager’s resistance to knowledge. Teachers routinely maintain peace between their own mind and their mouth—they remain silent when foolish things are spoken. It’s a secret war they fight at all times.

It’s why teachers are deserving of a medal of honor—they often suffer battle fatigue--especially the most veteran of ones.