All Points: 40 years after Vietnam War

April 30 was the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, which was captured by the People’s Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War, a conflict that divided the nation and cost the lives of 58,000 Americans. From a vantage point of 40 years later, what did the Vietnam War accomplish, if anything? Was it a futile exercise? Did Americans die in vain? What did we learn from it? Send no more than 150 words with your name, street address and telephone number to letters@star-telegram.com. Deadline is Wednesday for publication next Monday.

This story was originally published May 18, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "All Points: 40 years after Vietnam War."