Images of war will be hard to avoid this week.

Today, the rumble of hundreds of motorcyclists will provide a timpanic accompaniment to a replica of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall, as it arrives in Lewiston for a weeklong installation at Veterans Memorial Park.

Tonight, a seven-part series about World War II, “The War,” by acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns, starts on Maine Public Broadcasting. Burns’ 16-hour epic is his second examination of an American conflict, following his stirring Civil War series that aired, amazingly, now 17 years ago.

As wartime remembrances, these two examples stand in contrast. “The War” delves – in perhaps uncomfortable detail – into the impact of World War II on four American cities and, with graphic depictions, the carnage wreaked upon our armed forces in the European and Pacific theaters.

“The Wall,” as the Vietnam Memorial is known, generates power from its simplicity: a spartan black monolith, inscribed with names. In looming silence, The Wall shrieks.

In recent weeks, the Iraq war has been compared to World War II and Vietnam. American engagement in Iraq – into its fifth year – has lasted longer than World War II. While many, including President Bush, have invoked Vietnam in regard to Iraq’s ongoing stalemate.

Neither comparison is favorable. World War II was an apex of American military and political might, which came at an incredible cost. Vietnam is regarded as a morass of missteps, which led to years of war and a divided nation.

Iraq has qualities of each. While American might in Iraq is apparent, it’s not displayed as it was in World War II, while the polarizing politics of the Vietnam-era saw landmark decisions emerge from Congress, where the current occupants are showing more intractability than inspiration today about the war.

For example, this past week the Senate couldn’t muster support to even vote on anti-war measures. During the Vietnam era, federal lawmakers not only voted, but enacted, constraints on war activity with the 1971 Cooper-Church amendment, which restricted American activity in Cambodia and Laos.

The potential for comparisons are endless. The arrival of The Wall and broadcast of the “The War” will undoubtedly provide many others, which are important reasons to visit Veterans Memorial Park and tune into MPBN this week to experience both.

For those who visit or view either the The Wall or “The War,” the Sun Journal wishes to publish reactions, criticisms or praise about the experience. Please see the instructions on page C8 in today’s newspaper.

Understanding the past is key to unlocking the future. This week is providing those around Lewiston-Auburn the rare opportunity to learn, reflect and mourn the casualties and heroes of our past conflicts.

Doing so should also honor those who remain in harm’s way, now and in the future.