The impact of the Vietnam War on Nebraskans

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6 жыл бұрын

This special episode of Nebraska Stories looks at the impact of the Vietnam War on Nebraskans.
Journey to The Wall
Four chartered jets flew 654 Nebraska Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and several other war memorials. We follow the veterans on their journey as they share their memories of the war and are given a welcome home they'll never forget.
Honor Flight Reflection
Cheryl Feala was the only female veteran on board the recent Vietnam Veteran honor flight to Washington, D.C. From 1968 to 1969, Cheryl was an Army nurse stationed in a combat zone during the Vietnam War. Cheryl reflects on her honor flight experience.
A Duty to Protest
At 17, Tim Butz enlisted in the Air Force and did a tour of duty in Vietnam, following four generations of men in his family serving in uniform dating back to the Civil War. After being honorably discharged in 1969, he enrolled at Kent State University in Ohio. Just more than a year later, on May 4, 1970, the National Guard opened fire on protesters at Kent State and Butz was there. The Kent State shootings not only deeply intensified Butz’ own previously conflicted opposition to the war but increased the U.S. public’s concerns as well. Butz became one of the national organizers of the Vietnam veterans protest movement and spent the following three decades of his career fighting for the disabled, fair housing and civil liberties. A former Executive Director of ACLU Nebraska and the Nebraska Justice Center, and former Assistant Director of the Fair Housing Center of Nebraska and Iowa, Butz now volunteers at his local Disabled American Veterans office, connecting with veterans from various conflicts. He shares his perspective on the Vietnam War and how those issues reverberate still today.
Safe Harbor
Dr. Bich Chau of Lincoln was one of the “boat people” who escaped post-war Communist rule in Vietnam. She remembers living comfortably in Saigon where her father worked as a policeman. Then the communists came, and put her father in jail. When he was released, her family escaped in a boat crammed with 94 other people who would rather face Thai pirates and uncertain life in a refugee camp than stay in their homeland. Dr. Chau shares her story of culture shock, transformation, and life in Nebraska after the Vietnam War.
A Name to Remember All (Norfolk)
A likeable young man from Norfolk enlisted in the Army when he was 19. He never saw 20. Through an interview with his childhood friend, Jan Einspahr, we explore VanAndel’s life and how the Norfolk native served as inspiration to memorialize all who perished in the Vietnam War on a wall in Washington, D.C.
© 2017 Nebraska Public Media Foundation. All rights reserved
For more videos about Nebraskans who have gone to war or served in the military go to • Nebraskans at War
Explore the characters, places and history that make our state unique by watching our playlist of hundreds of "Nebraska Stories" segments from over the many season of the series: • Nebraska Stories
You can also see behind-the-scenes photos and other extras at NebraskaStories.org
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Пікірлер: 10

@robertr6675 4 ай бұрын

Vet to vet. 173r airborne brigade. ‘67-68 forward observer

@alfredbatchelor1954 Жыл бұрын

I wonder where all those people are’ you know the ones that call us baby killers! Where are they today.

@user-whu 6 ай бұрын

They are in the white house today ( Bidens democratics) Thank you to all who have served our country, may those who didn’t make sleep well and RIP ❤️🇺🇸

@alfredbatchelor1954 Жыл бұрын

Wonder where the protesters are today?

@richesquivel683 6 жыл бұрын

I am watching the Nebraska stories of Vietnam. Tim was just interviewed and talked about Kent State on May 4, 1970. He condemned the decision of President Nixon to go into Cambodia. I totally disagree with his comments. I was in Vietnam, serving with Co A, 8th Engineer Bn; 1st Cavalry Division. I was in Cambodia on May 1, 1970. This action was necessary to protect American soldiers fighting along the Cambodian border. First, we applauded the actions of the National Guard at Kent State. We regretted our combat unit couldn't have been at Kent State on that day. A hell of a lot more students would have been killed than four. Tim commented how the tragedy of death struck that day to the unknowing students. BooHoo. I lived this life for ten months of my tour. Next, Tim condemned the Cambodian invasion. This statement really upset me. Has he read anything about this action? This military action saved the lives of countless number of our soldiers. All the NVA supplies, weapons, ammunition, and food found and destroyed, delayed or stopped any NVA offensive for years. We put a big hurt on their war efforts by going into Cambodia. I returned from Vietnam and went to college. I was also upset with the Government involvement with the war. However, there were still American soldiers in harms way. I voiced my opinions on the government interference. I didn't protest. Everything I have read about the war, the North Vietnamese verified the American protests gave them support to continue the war. Tim also stated "I knew we couldn't win the war after TET, 1968". Again, has he read any history on the TET offensive? Again, the North Vietnamese, admitted it was the greatest setback to their war effort. The North Vietnamese were only boosted by TET because of the reporting by American journalist. TET, 1968, was a total victory for U.S,. military.

@jlwise1949 Жыл бұрын

I agree with you Rich. I was stationed in Florida when Kent State happened. Most of the men I knew was praising the guards men. These students were clueless of what was happening in Viet Nam at the time. We in the military was very much against the students protesting those of us in the military. I still hold a grudge against those students who protested us in the military.

@desertodavid Жыл бұрын

@Richesquivel, thank you for taking the time to write this because you are totally right! This video was going fine until they moved from the Vietnam Vets returning to a warm welcome at the Lincoln Airport to their Democrat BS talking points. Tim is totally misguided about the outcome of the war. By the way did you notice how they showed a picture of traitor "Swift Boat" John Kerry while he was talking? We kicked ass in the Tet Offensive. The Communists threw everything they had at us and we still defeated them. Nixon was right to fortify US strength and get this thing over with once and for all. basically pushed the chinese-backed VC all the way back into China. We should have chased them down! But instead what happened was the "most trusted man in news" Walter Cronkite came on the air and talked about all our massive losses and how the war was now a "stalemate"-- the word that Tim used. I could go on about how the democrat congress reneged on our deal to replace and replenish bullet for bullet any South Vietnam losses. They didn't and that's when the Communists were emboldened, went back in and wiped out two million innocent civilians in South Vietnam Laos and Cambodia after we pulled out. The commie backed USA Media has not changed one bit since World War II... evil bastards. I grew up in Lincoln Nebraska during this time. I guarantee you there was little "anti-war" sentiment except from a few hippies. We were very Pro USA and patriotic. A Lot of us Lincolnites joined the Marine Corps in the mid-70s. Now look at Lincoln and Omaha-- both BLUE HELLHOLES!