Many of you remember I interviewed five men who served in Vietnam. However, it has been awhile and I have many new followers and readers. Therefore, I'm going to show the pages I made in the past and provide links in case you want to see more on each.
I began with a Vietnam War Timeline (the OSS is now the CIA or U.S. Central Intelligence Agency). This is side 1
and this is side 2. See it up close here.
You can read "Barry's" story here. Be aware, all names are fictitious. Their stories are not. 
You can read "Jesse's" story here.
The third person I interviewed was Ted. You can read "Ted's" story here.
You will find "Jim's" story here.
You will find "Ralph's" story here. All that is left is a wrap up and my story. For that, I'm joining Try it on Tuesday where their theme is Destinations.
You can see I reinterviewed all but one of the men who I spoke with before. This time I wanted to follow up because of a few things I had learned, or questioned. That is why each participant was given the same questions.
I'll let you read the questions and responses, but if anyone needs me to translate, I will do so on YOUR blog. 
As I was creating this, I realized I had room for an extra question, so that is why the questions appear out of order here. 
This is side 2 and it includes my feelings on the war.
Some days I ask myself why I am so proud to be an American.
The history books don't do much better either. This geography book, copyrighted 1979, talks briefly about Vietnam. I tried to highlight the best parts with washi tape. 
How could such an important time in the history of our country, when so many young men died, appear to be not much more than a footnote in the chapter on the Orient. It seems Jefferson Airplane's words of wisdom summed up that war!Thank you beyond belief for following me through this long diatribe today. I greatly appreciate your staying so long. If you have thoughts on this war, I would love to hear them in the comment section, too. I will also be at Try it on Tuesday, too.
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14 thoughtful remarks:
You are so right with what you write about not enough tribute to this men!
Great to see your interesting pages now again and your thoughts and to remember their stories. And great to see it linked to Try It On Tuesday - Thank you for joining us again Elizabeth!
You write that you ask yourself sometimes why you are so proud to be American. I can tell you that I often ask myself why we are all so proud to be human beings no matter which nation. We just made wars and there were and are always wars and wrongness among us and we destroy our planet more than every other species would ever bee able to do.
Shame on us all!
Maybe we can change ?! I would hope so !
Happy weekend dear Elizabeth!
Hugs,Susi
Elizabeth this post looks amazing in pictures but there are so many more words and links to take in, rather than just skim over them I want to take them in and revisit *Ear marked* for my Sunday morning read.
My heart aches with the thought of war, being a pacifist I find it very hard to justify any of it. The bubble I live in will never understand how one can harm another, man or beast.
It's something that has gone on since the beginning of time so I have no answers to how it will ever stop. but LOVE will always be stronger than HATE!!
Wishing you a blessed weekend, creative wishes Tracey xx
long time since I have visited your blog and what a lot you have done, super nice collager and photos.
It never ceases to amaze me that so many people are unaware of what goes on during war, and how soldiers and families are affected years later. Yet steal, it's a daily battle coping with illness, loss of independence, homelessness and fighting for benefits. I'm so thrilled that you've chosen to do this, so people can get a clearer picture. Every Veteran's Day, I'm always appalled that a place as big as Walmart doesn't even get on board to offer discounts for veterans the way everyone else does. Thank you so much dear for shedding more light, Elizabeth! Hugs...RO
Thanks for the repeat showing of those pages and the hosirty book photos. I know exactly what you mean about being an American, or any nation I guess. We have some good parts and some bad parts-well our bad parts always seem to be how we have really subjected people who don't fit in to "our norm" to some horrible horrible things. It makes me think about what it means to be patriotic and honoring some of our heros. (Not the average man who fights, they are the true heros). Thank you for making me think this morning. I do worry what is going to happen to this planet in the future, and how many people are going to suffer in that time because of us, or some other nation. Chilling thoughts in these times too. But have a wonderful weekend! (seems strange to say that after my comment.) Hugs-Erika
I remember your first "showing" of this series and how powerful it was then. It remains so today and seeing it collectively really has great impact. It was a strange time in our history, wasn't it? I hope the way the vets of Vietnam were treated has jumpstarted our country to reconsider that behavior with those who followed.
Your art on these really speaks to the soul of your feeling and the efforts of these brave and courageous individuals who gave up so very much for their country.
My brother served at the tail end of the Viet Nam war. He decided to enlist even though his draft number was not that low. I was 14 and he was 20. My mother cried a lot during the 2 years he spent in country. She had worried about her husband during WWII and never expected to keep the home fires burning for her son during the Viet Nam war. My brother came home a decorated veteran. He received a Bronze star. He came home, but he didn't as he was so changed from the young man who left home to serve his country. We didn't know or understand PTSD back then. He doesn't talk about his time in the service. I'm not even sure he talked about his experience with my dad. My dad was very proud of him. Had his medals framed and on display in his office. My brother didn't want them as a reminder. My dad later gave the medals to his grandson.
I remember these posts and the very poignant stories that you shared! You have captured such beauty in these heartfelt and touching pages, they are beautifully created 😁. Thanks so much for joining us at Try it on Tuesday and wishing you a Happy Weekend! J 😊 x
I remember these sad stories of those Vietnam war heros the first time you posted them, and I enjoyed reading them again, plus all the other information you posted now.
Wars leave marks on those who fight in them and on those who stay behind too.
I too wish there were no wars, no hunger or homelessness, no hate, etc.
I'm glad you post on Vietnam. The way our vets were treated was shameful. Have you seen The Post? If not, you might enjoy it.
You have done a so great work Elizabeth !! Those pages are full of sentiments, horror and braveness. I will never understand wars, they are without reason. The people who order the wars are cruel and selfish, and never think of the human misfortunes and the terrible consequences of the troops, of the human beings who have to fight and kill other human beings. I will never understand.
Your work is very good, and makes us reflect. Thank you for sharing it.
I wish you a very nice weekend, big hugs, Caty
Great pages, Elisabeth
Thank you for joining us at TRY IT ON TUESDAY
Thank you for sharing these pages and the memories of the veterans with us at TioT's Elizabeth. it is good to have your support and it is very much appreciated,
Yvonne xx
This brought back many sad memories, Elizabeth. Friends lost and otheers who were never the same again. My hubby was in the Army at the time, but thankfully didn't get sent overseas.
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