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Vietnam Round Table – December, 2019 Speaker

The Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table will meet at the Vietnam Veterans of America Michael J. Novosel MOH Capital Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Following a brief business meeting, Billy Terrill, from Delran, New Jersey, will discuss his May, 1966 – May, 1967 Vietnam experiences as a member of 226th Supply and Service Company serving in Tuy Hoa and Phan Rang. He was drafted into the Army in 1965, doing his basic training and AIT at Ft. Dix. He then completed a 4 week quartermaster course at Ft. Lee, Virginia before ending up in Vietnam in May, 1966. He was a mail clerk, worked on supply convoys and pulled a lot of perimeter guard. For his service to our Country he was awarded Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and Expert Marksman Badge w/rifle bar. To this day, he has always had a love of music and stand up comedy, having a long career in both fields. He worked with Bobby Rydell and Frankie Avalon. He has written a book “The Other Side of Rock and War.” In Vietnam he became associated with an orphanage, which he will discuss. He has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 27 years and is close to stepdaughters Carrie and Jessica.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend. For additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net.

The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Vietnam Round Table – November, 2019 Speaker

The Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table will meet at the Vietnam Veterans of America Michael J. Novosel MOH Capital Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Following a brief business meeting, Eddie Beckford, from Camp Hill, will discuss his September, 1966 – August, 1967 Vietnam experiences as a member of the Air Force’s 819th Red Horse (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron) Engineers, stationed near Phu Cat in II Corps, near Qui Nhon. Mr. Beckford grew up in Manhattan, New York graduating from high school in 1964. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966, receiving basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, before being assigned to Lackland in Del Rio, Texas. For his service to our country, he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the BSS Vietnam Service Medal w/ Bronze Service. He married his wife, Lura, in Cyprus in 2001. The Beckfords served as Christian missionaries in Israel from 2001-2017, working for Jewish Outreach International, a group he still works with today. In his spare time, he likes to play chess and remain physically active.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend. For
additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net.

The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Vietnam Round Table – October, 2019 Speaker

The Central Pennsylvania Round Table will meet on October 10, 2019 at Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael J. Novosel MOH Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pa.
at 730pm.

Following a brief business meeting, Craig Williamson, from Carlisle, will discuss his Vietnam experiences as a platoon leader for the 4th Infantry Division’s Charlie Company/2nd/35th in 1968 and 1969, serving around Pleiku in the central highlands. Mr. Williamson was born in Washington, D.D. and lived there till he was five, then moved to Japan till he was 14, then moving back to Middletown, where he graduated from high school. He attended Millersville University for two years, then was drafted into the Army in 1966, eventually graduating from Engineer OCS and landing at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri as a training officer.

For his service to our country he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star and an Air Medal. Following his service to our Country he worked in sales and sales management for over 40 years for such companies as Xerox and Eastman Kodak. Mr. Williamson is married and has three children and six grandchildren. In his spare time he works with Vets Journey Home, Weekend Retreats for Veterans, Mankind Project and Spiritual Warrior Effectiveness Training. He is also a fly fisherman and a golfer.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend. For
additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net.

The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Vietnam Round Table – December, 2018 Speaker

The Central Pennsylvania Round Table will meet on December 13, 2018 at Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael J. Novosel MOH Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pa.
at 730pm.

Following a brief business meeting, Gary Crowell, from Camp Hill, will discuss his Vietnam experiences as a member of the 1st Marine Division in 1966-1967. He attended high school in the Tyrone Area School District. He held various positions: India Company Weapons Platoon Leader and XO, S-3 Liaison Officer 3/5 and Commanding Officer Headquarters Company 3/5 from January, 1966 into 1967. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965, leaving the Corps in 1969 with the rank of Captain. For his service to our country he was awarded the Bronze Star w/V device, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Action Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. Following his service to our country, he served as President/CEO of Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Department of General Services, Special Assistant to the Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security and Assistant Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He has been inducted into the Pa. Military and Veterans Hall of Fame, is a recipient of the Pa. Meritorious Service Medal, Pa. Lions Carl Shoemaker Fellowship Award for service to disabled veterans, received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He is also a graduate of Penn State University. He is married to his wife, Donna, and has one son and three grandchildren. For fun he likes to travel, fly fish, and he tries to play golf.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend. For
additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net.

The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Peace Promenade asking for names of local Vietnam Vets to be honored at July Event

Summer 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most critical seasons of our lives, the “Summer of 1968.” While Americans of all generations are still trying to figure it all out, one thing is certainly true. We owe a great debt to those who served that year in uniform.

This July, important and impressive military displays will be evident around the Harrisburg community promulgating pride of military service. Still, local communities have an important and continuing ceremony to complete concerning the “everyday” welcome home of Vietnam Veterans on the blocks where we live!

On July 14, 2018, Harrisburg Peace Promenade will commemorate the “Summer of 1968” from 12  noon until 1pm at the Peace Garden at North Front and Emerald Streets in Harrisburg.

As a closing gesture, Pennsylvania Gold Star Mothers will gather at the river with young folks, neighbors and friends from throughout the city to extend the hand of fellowship to Vietnam Veterans.

Initially, we would like to honor 50 Vietnam Veterans, one for each year that has passed. If you would like to nominate a Vietnam Veteran to receive a special homecoming pin, please forward information about your honoree to Lenwood Sloan at the email address below.

In order to plan for this important exchange, please submit your veteran names by July 5, 2018.

Feel free to forward this message to your constituents and post it to your personal sites.

Be sure to come stand with us down by the river side.

Lenwood Sloan
Harrisburg Peace Promenade
catalyticagents@hotmail.com

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The Central Pennsylvania Round Table will meet on July 12, 2018 at Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael J. Novosel MOH Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pa. at 730pm.

Following a brief business meeting, John Gothel, from Millerstown, Pa., and Tom Freedman, from Lemoyne, will discuss their military experiences in Vietnam.

Mr. Gothel grew up on, and currently resides on, one of his family’s farms, there. He graduated from Greenwood High School in 1965 and enlisted in the Air Force 2 weeks after graduation, so he would not get drafted and sent to Vietnam. He had training on F-100s and F-106s, 2 jet engine combat training, Vietnamese language school and Air Force special operations schooling. He went to Vietnam on Mother’s Day, 1967 and returned home on July 4, 1968. As John had crew chief and jet engine experience, the Army decided they needed John and put him to work on Hueys as a crew chief, gunner. and ground troop extractor. Tet 1968 was a very busy time for John. In Vietnam he served with the 35th Combat Support Unit at Qui Nhon and Phu Cat before being transferred to Danang and Hue with the 366th Combat Support Unit. For his service to our Country John was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal, Gallantry Cross, Presidential Unit Citation and expert marksmanship award amongst his many foreign and domestic awards, as he stayed in the Air Force for 25 years. Following his military service he flew as a commercial pilot for 17 years. He presently works on the family farms.

John has twin sons, Andrew and Mark, and a step-daughter. For fun, John likes to hunt and fish with his sons, keep in contact with other Vietnam veterans and spend time alone. Mr. Freedman graduated from the first high school class at Trinity High School,  Mechanicsburg, in 1966. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he eventually went to Vietnam from February, 1967- February, 1968, where he served with B Battery/3/13 Artillery, 25th Infantry and 199th Light Infantry/ 2nd of the 3rd Old Guard as a combat medic. Following his service in Vietnam, he finished his tour of duty at Kirk Army Hospital, Aberdeen, Maryland until 1969. For his service to our Country, he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Medical Badge. He is married to his wife, Diane, for 47 years and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. For fun he likes music, playing the guitar and bass, golf and travel. He belongs to the Free Masons, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 542, American Legion, VFW and the Knights of Columbus.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend.

For additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net. The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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THE WALL THAT HEALS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9* – SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018

THE STATE CAPITOL, HARRISBURG, PA

* The Exhibition will be open to the public beginning with the Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, through 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 13.

The Wall That Heals exhibition features a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and a mobile Education Center. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is proud to sponsor The Wall That Heals to honor those who served.

Learn more about the event and volunteer opportunities. 

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Join us for the next HONOR BUS TRIP 

Spring Trip 2018 – Saturday, April 28th

Watch “Finding Solace at the Wall” a WITF story about last year’s Honor Bus Trip

Do you know a veteran?  Join us for a special day of gratitude honoring the sacrifices veterans have made for our freedom.  Northeastern High School will host a FREE Honor Bus trip to Washington, D.C., coming Spring 2018 – Saturday, April 28, 2018. The trip includes visits to the Vietnam Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and more. Space is limited.

REQUEST INFORMATION.

The Northeastern High School Honor Bus is a student-organized group that was created in 2011. The group hosts two bus trips a year, one in the fall and one in the spring, to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII, Korean, Vietnam Memorials, and the Arlington National Cemetery. We welcome all Veterans to join us on this Day of Gratitude, but especially encourage Vietnam vets to attend. All Veterans will be provided with a T-shirt, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Watch video from the April 2017 Honor Bus Trip

Typical Schedule of the Day: 

• 7am: Check in (Northeastern High School Cafeteria)
• 7:30am: Breakfast
• 8:30-8:45am: Departure from School
• 10:30am- 3:45pm: WW2, Vietnam, Korean Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery
• 5:30pm: Arrival back at School
• 5:45pm- Dinner

*Please note that all times are estimates*

The bus trip departs from and returns to Northeastern High School in Manchester (York County).

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Vietnam Round Table – April, 2018 Speaker
The Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table will meet on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 7:30pm

Vietnam Veterans of America
Michael J. Novosel MOH Chapter 542
8000 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111

Following a brief business meeting, James Dixon, from Lancaster, will discuss his experiences in the 1st MP Battalion and as a member of Kelo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division from June, 1966 through June, 1967. For his service to our Country he was awarded the usual Vietnam veteran awards plus his unit got a Presidential Unit Citation. Following his service in Vietnam, Mr. Dixon was stationed at Henderson Hall and guarded the Pentagon until his tour of duty ended.

Following his service to our Country Mr. Dixon went to Millersville University and then taught junior high for 28 years. He is married to his wife, Pat, and has two sons, one a civil engineer, the other drove a Bradley tank during Desert Storm and two teenage grandchildren. For fun he and Pat love the beach and they own a small boat.

Mr. Dixon has written a book about his Vietnam experiences entitled ”Things I’ll Never Forget.” The book is for sale at the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public, and, as a volunteer organization, we pass a Vietnam veterans hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend.

For additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net

The website is: www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table will meet on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael Novosel MOH Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, Pa., at 730pm.

Following a brief business meeting, Jon Hosfeld, from Marysville, will discuss his Vietnam experiences as a member of Alpha Battery/6th Battalion/29th Artillery/4th Infantry Division from April to December,1969.

He was an Artillery Crew Chief for a 105mm Battery. Prior to his service in Vietnam he also served in Korea at the DMZ from June, 1967- July, 1968 and in Germany from August, 1968 to February, 1969. For his service to our Country, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and V Device, the Army Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the United Nations Korea Service Medal.

He retired from CSX Railroad in November, 2006, after 37 years. He has been married to his wife, Judy, for 44 years and they have a daughter Andrea Fields and two grandchildren, Maggie, 2 and 1/2 and Greyson, 4 months old.

Mr. Hosfeld is Past President and currently Chairman of the Pennsylvania American Legion Riders and a member of the National Committee of the American Legion Riders for Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Mr. Hosfeld is very active with the American Legion on the local, state and national levels. For fun, he likes to ride his 2014 CVO Limited Harley Davidson all over the Country with his wife, Judy. Jon has been riding for 53 years and finds it an excellent stress-reducer. Since he lives in Perry County he is an avid hunter and fisherman.

The meetings are open to the public and, as a volunteer organization, we pass the hat. All persons interested in the history of the Vietnam War are invited to attend and thank our speaker for his service.

For additional information, contact Richard Burton, 717-545-2336, email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net. The website is www.centralpavietnamroundtable.com.

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Former Mennonite Central Committee workers Earl and Pat Hostetter Martin will share stories from their rich network of relationships with Vietnamese friends and colleagues during the war.

Saturday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. 
Grandview Methodist Church
888 Pleasure Rd., Lancaster, PA

Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ
450 W. Main St., Mountville, PA
(Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness Annual Meeting)

Storytellers Earl and Pat Hostetter Martin have been deeply shaped by their years in war-torn Vietnam. For five years during that war, as Mennonite Central Committee workers, they walked daily with their Vietnamese friends who were forced from their homes in the countryside because of the fighting. Being open to working with all people, they came to realize that the enemy was not one political party or the other, but the enemy was the war itself. They developed relationships with people on all sides of the war to pursue the work of refugee assistance and address the unexploded munitions left lying in people’s fields.

In recent years Pat and Earl have worked with mental health support programs and been active in immigrant and prisoner rights issues. Earl works as a carpenter doing home renovations and Pat works part time as a chaplain in the local Rockingham hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.

Warm and engaging storytellers, the couple will share stories from their rich network of relationships with Vietnamese friends and colleagues during the very difficult years of the Vietnam War.

Presentations are sponsored by the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War.

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The Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table presents:

Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.   – DOUGLAS GRAYBILL USMC TUNNEL RAT

We meet at 7:30pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Vietnam Veterans of America Michael J. Novosel Medal of Honor Capital Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA.

Meetings are informal and open to the public. There are no dues, we pass the hat. Refreshments are served. Stay after the meeting and socialize.

For further information, please call 717-545-2336 or email: centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net

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‘Agent Orange Awareness Month’ proclaimed by Matzie resolution

October will be “Agent Orange Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, per a resolution from state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, that gained unanimous House approval today.

Matzie said his H.R. 508 serves as a reminder that approximately 19 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides were used during the Vietnam War, saddling thousands of veterans with exposure-related cancers, other health disorders and death.

“Veterans with Agent Orange-related health problems live with the knowledge that genetic damage resulting from their exposure may be handed down through generations,” Matzie said. “In fact, federal law provides for the presumption that certain diseases are a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War.”

Matzie said approximately 498,000 men and women from Pennsylvania served during the Vietnam War era, with an estimated 172,000 of them directly participating in the war.

“At the time, this was the longest conflict in American history, and American service persons displayed heroic courage and determination under some of the most difficult circumstances ever encountered by the U.S. military,” Matzie said. “Years after the conflict officially ended, many of them found out that they were also fighting a previously unseen enemy in the after-effects of Agent Orange.”

Matzie said his resolution also honors those who bravely served our country in Vietnam and who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and other dangerous herbicides.

CONTACT: Paul Sunyak
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: psunyak@pahouse.net

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Recovering the “Sacred Ground” for All Generations
A Conversation Based on Burns and Novick’s The Vietnam War

Continuing the Journey – Telling our Story
Sharing Our Experiences
Continuing Our Healing

7:00 pm, Tuesday, October 3, 2017
The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center

950 Soldiers Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013-5021
USAHEC Information Desk: 717-245-3972

Distinguished Panel:

• COL (Ret) Dr. Don Snider – three tours in Vietnam and noted author, Professor Emeritus, United States Military Academy West Point
• COL (Ret) Tony Nedal – Company Commander, la Drang Valley Battle depicted in We Were Soldiers Once and Young
• COL (Dr.) David Benedek – Chief of Psychiatry, Uniform Services University for the Health Sciences
• LTC (Ret) Dr. Doug Johnson – Historian, two tours in Vietnam, retired faculty at the U.S. Army War College

Moderator:

• Chaplain (COL) Jerry Sieg, Carlisle Barracks Installation Chaplain

Sponsored by: The USAWC Memorial Chapel, the Army Heritage Center Foundation, and Stephen Ministry

The USAHEC’s events and programs include lecture series, workshops, historical demonstrations, and several special living history events. All USAHEC sponsored events are free and open to the public. For further questions about any upcoming events, please call: (717) 245-3972.

On October 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Army Heritage Center Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Army War College Memorial Chapel and Stephen Ministry, will present a renowned panel of veterans who will share their war experiences and lessons learned from the Burns and Novick series, The Vietnam War.  The program will provide an opportunity for the audience to share and reflect on their own experience and help facilitate continued dialogue concerning the impact of war on their lives.

After the panel and discussions, COL (Retired) Neal Delasanti, Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Cumberland County, PA, will be available for brief consultations.

The distinguished panel will include:

• COL (Retired) Dr. Don Snider – Served three combat tours as an infantry officer in Vietnam, decorated for both valor and wounds. He is a distinguished faculty member of the U.S. Army War College and Professor Emeritus from the United States Military Academy. He has authored numerous publications on leadership, ethics, and the moral development of leaders. Dr. Snider retired in October 2016 after 53 years of service within the Department of Defense and continues today in adjunct status.
• COL (Retired) Tony Nadal – Served two tours in Vietnam. He was engaged in heavy infantry combat in the Ia Drang Valley, the Bong Son plain, and in Kontum Province. He served as Commanding Officer of A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry during the battle of the la Drang Valley. Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway documented the Battle of the la Drang Valley in their book We Were Soldiers Once … And Young. Prior to retirement from the military, COL Nadal served on the faculty of the U.S. Army War College.
• COL David Benedek – Professor of Psychiatry and Chairman of the Uniformed Services University’s Department of Psychiatry. He is also an Associate Director of the University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.  He has authored or co-authored over 75 scientific publications and has presented on numerous aspects of military, disaster, and forensic psychiatry at regional, national, and international professional conferences. In addition to his operational experience in Bosnia and Croatia, Dr. Benedek has deployed to Cuba, Iraq, and Kuwait in conjunction with the Global War on Terrorism. He is co-editor of the recently published Clinical Manual for Management of PTSD.
• LTC (Retired) Dr. Douglas Johnson – Served two combat tours in Vietnam as an artillery officer. He was with the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College from 1985 until 2009. His 30 years of service in the U.S. Army included two combat tours, a variety of troop and staff assignments, and instructor duty at the U.S. Military Academy and the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and holds a diploma from the U.S. Army War College.

The evening’s discussion will be moderated by Chaplain (COL) Jerry Sieg, Carlisle Barracks’ Installation Chaplain.

The evening is meant to be interactive. Reflections and comments by the audience will be encouraged. Members of the panel feel that it is important for combat veterans to “tell their story”. This can provide continued understanding of their war experiences as part of a healing process.

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Vietnam Picture Event to be Held at Bloomsburg University – September 18, 2017

Photographs from the Vietnam War will be on display at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Andruss Library on Monday, Sept. 18. The digitized photos were donated by Mr. Blaine Cooper of Riverside, Pa., and represent his experiences before, during, and after the war. The photos will be displayed in the Schweiker Room from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with the main event at noon. This event will be the third and final chapter of this phase of the project.

Bob Heckrote, director of the BU Military and Veteran Resources office, spent countless hours over the past year digitizing Mr. Cooper’s photos. Dr. David Fazzino, assistant professor of anthropology, with assistance from Vikram Mookerjee, graduate programs and strategic initiatives coordinator in the Zeigler College of Business, then wrote the backstory to go with each photo. The written story for each photo came after Fazzino interviewed Cooper.

These photos serve as a record of the life and times of Mr. Cooper during his time preparing for Vietnam, in Vietnam, and his return back home to his wife and newborn daughter. Cooper’s wish is that the photos and stories associated with them will help BU students and young adults reflect on and appreciate life.

Blaine Cooper was drafted within one week of marriage to his wife, Joyce. He was trained in Georgia, Texas, and New Mexico, then traveled by ship from California to Vietnam. He proudly served his country and, as he described it, by sheer luck survived encounters with the Viet Cong. Upon his return home, he had to cope with the effects of Agent Orange and PTSD.

This exhibit is made possible through the work of the College of Liberal Arts, Institute of Culture and Society, and The Office of Military and Veteran Resources.

Bloomsburg University
400 E. Second St.
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301

570-389-4000

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Join Us: Special Screenings of THE VIETNAM WAR

WITF invites you to special community screenings of THE VIETNAM WAR–a landmark documentary film series by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick. Join us August 16 at the Willow Valley Cultural Center Theater, on August 29 at the Liberty USO of Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, and on September 12 at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle. All screenings begin at 6pm and are free and open to the public.

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part, 18-hour documentary series, THE VIETNAM WAR, tells the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never before been told on film. Visceral and immersive, the series explores the human dimensions of the war through revelatory testimony of nearly 80 witnesses from all sides—Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as combatants and civilians from North and South Vietnam. The exclusive sneak preview highlights service-people, the Vietnamese perspective, media and journalism, leadership, civilian life, the anti-war movement, veterans coming home, and more.

After the screening, share your story and take part in a panel discussion with local experts.

Supported by Willow Valley Communities and the Harrisburg office of the law firm of Saul Ewing LLP.

Register to attend by choosing the location and date you prefer below:

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP | Aug 29 (Preview of Ken Burns documentary)
Fort Indiantown Gap, Liberty USO, corner of Clement Ave. and Scheld Ave., Annville, PA 17003
CLOSED – This screening has past.

US ARMY HERITAGE AND EDUCATION CENTER | Sept 12 (Preview of Ken Burns documentary)
CLOSED – This screening has past.

WITF PUBLIC MEDIA CENTER | Sept 13 (Preview of WITF Stories documentary)
WITF Public Media Center, 4801 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
CLOSED – This screening has past.

Send questions to: vietnam@witf.org

WITF’s Vietnam War Stories Project is supported by Willow Valley Communities.

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RSVP to Smart Talk Road Trip to Willow Valley Communities on May 23

You’re invited to join our next Smart Talk Road Trip to Willow Valley Communities for an episode about Ken Burns’ landmark documentary series The Vietnam War, as well as WITF’s own Vietnam War Stories project.

Guests will have the chance to:

• Meet award-winning host Scott LaMar
• Ask a question or make a comment during the show
• Watch Smart Talk as a member of the live “studio” audience in the Cultural Gallery and Theatre at Willow Valley Communities.

RSVP now to save you space at this free event. Please arrive by 8:45 to be seated in time for the show.

REGISTER HERE NOW

Smart Talk is WITF’s daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs every weekday at 9 a.m. on WITF’s 89.5 and 93.3. Occasionally they take the program out to onsite locations and go on a “Road Trip.” Willow Valley is excited to be hosting the Smart Talk Road Trip program live from the Cultural Center on May 23rd.

The topic will be on the Vietnam War and will host experts on the subject covering different topics, with details to be announced closer to airdate. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the live audience.

Tuesday, May 23 – 8:30 a.m.
Willow Valley Cultural Center Theater
900 Willow Valley Lakes Drive
Willow Street, PA 17584
717.464.7693

Cost: no charge

Smart Talk Road Trips are supported by Roof Advisory Group, Inc.

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Memorial Day Ceremony at Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Greenwood Cemetery, Sunday, May 28th at 1 PM

The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates Chapter 1008 of Lancaster PA will hold a wreath laying and ceremony on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 28th at 1 PM (rain or shine) at Greenwood Cemetery (South Queen St., Lancaster 17603) at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.  The public is invited to attend.

The memorial, which is maintained by the chapter, was erected in the early 1980’s in honor of Lancaster County’s Vietnam Veterans and one civilian who gave their lives in service to our country.  The monument was rededicated last year following a renovation of the grounds.  The ceremony is open to the public.

During the ceremony, we will also be sharing memories of the soldiers and civilian honored on the memorial. (Family and friends are welcome to participate).

The chapter, which is very active in the community, meets at Oak Leaf Manor North (2901 Harrisburg Pike., Landisville PA) every third Wednesday of the month (except July and August) at 7:00 PM. All Vietnam/Vietnam Era Veterans and spouses, friends, and supporters are welcome to attend.

For more information, call Ken Ford at (717) 584-6537, or visit our website at:

www.vva-avva1008.org

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial pictured is located in Greenwood Cemetery in Lancaster. Erected in the late 1980’s, it has the names of those Vietnam veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country who had lived in Lancaster County.

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