A Minnesota PBS Initiative
A Minnesota PBS Initiative
This ongoing series is an opportunity for veterans (and those interested in the war and its legacy)
to gather on a monthly basis to honor, remember and understand this tumultuous time.
The Minnesota Military Museum, in partnership with Twin Cities Public Television, DAV of Minnesota and Concordia University, St Paul, present this 2019-20 series held at Concordia University on the 3rd Monday of month (September through May).
THANK YOU for a wonderful season of storytelling and community-building. We are unfortunately cancelling the rest of the 2020 event dates due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic facing our communities. This decision was made due to the desire to protect our friends and families. We look forward to convening again this fall.
In the meantime, please explore the Story Wall for personal stories shared by over 1,000 Minnesotans who experienced the Vietnam War firsthand. Please consider sharing your own story to be included in this archival collection.
16 September @ 7PM: Brown Water Navy. Wendell Affield arrived in Vietnam in early 1968 as a river assault boat cox’n, aboard the Armor Troop Carrier 112-11. The memory of this arduous journey and his return home are chronicled in his book Muddy Jungle Rivers.
21 October @ 7PM: Medevac Pilots. Army medical evacuation pilot Jim Williamson and combat medic Bill Strusinski discussed their often dangerous work evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. They discussed their life saving work between the battlefield and in the hospital.
18 November @ 7PM: POW in North Vietnam. Navy, Air Force, and Marine pilots and aircrew endured years of torture, hardship, and uncertainty after being shot down and captured. Navy F-4 Phantom “Back seater” David Wheat was shot down over North Vietnam on October 17 1965 and held for 7 ½ years in various North Vietnamese prisons, including the Hanoi Hilton until his release in 1973. Mr. Wheat discussed his naval service, being shot down and his experiences as a POW.
16 December @ 7PM: Wounded in Action. Combat wounded veterans will discuss their experiences being wounded in action, evacuated from the battlefield and their recovery. Combat medics and military nurses will discuss their work treating and saving the battlefield wounded.
20 January @ 7PM: Return to Vietnam. Many years after the end of the war veterans have returned to Vietnam and have had a variety of experiences, usually positive. Often these trips bring a sense of closure or open doors to new life experiences or opportunities. Veterans will discuss their experiences returning to the places in Vietnam where they served in their youth.
17 February @ 7PM: Agent Orange. This topic rated of great interest by many of our 2018-19 roundtable attendees. In response, hear from local veterans and experts on the last impact of Agent Orange.
Video coming soon!
VIEW PAST ROUNDTABLE EVENTS FROM 2018-2019
Questions? Please email Randal at [email protected] or Katie at [email protected]