"I was too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam"

In this quote, Stephen Ambrose is reflecting on his age and the timing of significant wars in American history. He mentions that he was too young to participate in the Korean War, which took place from 1950-1953, and too old to be involved in the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955-1975. This highlights the narrow window of time in which individuals were eligible to serve in the military throughout these disputes. Ambrose's words likewise recommend a sense of remorse or disappointment at not being able to add to these substantial events in his nation's history. Overall, the quote speaks with the impact of age and timing on one's capability to participate in war.