A Minnesota PBS Initiative
A Minnesota PBS Initiative
KEY STATION INITIATIVES
Lakeland PBS (Bemidji/Brainerd, MN) is one of the six PBS stations in Minnesota collaborating to highlight the state’s untold Vietnam War stories through the Minnesota Remembers Vietnam initiative.
LAKELAND CURRENTS- BUFORD JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY |30 minute feature length interview program
Premiered 1/26/18.
GOLD STAR MISSISSIPPI CANOE JOURNEY | Short-form feature
Jim Crigler Gold Star Paddle at Itasca Headwaters (Common Ground #910 segment)
HOWARD MANINGA VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL | Short-form feature
Vietnam Veteran Memorial Service in Ponsford, MN
WENDELL AFFIELD | Common Ground #404 segment
Wendell Affield recalls his experiences in Vietnam in his self-published book, Muddy Jungle Rivers.
KEN CLOSE | Common Ground #319 segment
Local photographer Ken Klose shows what Vietnam was like for a Minnesota Veteran, and it’s all through the lens of his own camera.
Vet stories/Interviews:
Hal Wilhite, USMC
Manley Olson, US Army
Benetta Olson, Gold Star Family member
Dave Free, USMC
Howard Maninga, USMC
Patrick Sullivan, US Coast Guard vet
On September 14, 2017, Lakeland hosted lunch and a screening of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s “THE VIETNAM WAR” film. Over 80 Vietnam veterans were in attendance at the Northern Lights Conference Center in Walker, MN. Lakeland partnered with the Walker American Legion Post #134.
Lakeland hosted a presentation to Vietnam Vet PTSD support group at Bemidji VA clinic on 2/28/18 and hosted a screening of TPT’s “Perspectives” documentary at Lakeland PBS studios to veterans support group members.
The initiative’s series of original content, public screenings, story gatherings, and commemorative events seek to more fully remember, honor, and understand the Vietnam War experience. To learn more about any upcoming events throughout the state, visit the Minnesota Remembers Vietnam events page.