A Minnesota PBS Initiative
Central Minnesota Remembers
In June 2019, The HomeFront Resource Center premiered its video entitled Central Minnesota Remembers. The video chronicles the Central Minnesota Remembers Vietnam project and it's efforts from January 2018 to June 2019.
HRC presented an educational series to Central Minnesota centered around the Vietnam era in partnership with organizations including the Whitney Senior Center and in conjunction with the St. Cloud Rotary, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St. Cloud State University, the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, St. John’s Preparatory School, and Cathedral High Schools.
The series featured Veteran authors and artists, film clips, panelist stories, and music all having personal experiences with the Vietnam War and its impact.
The Music of War developed by Jerry Duckworth III Whitney Senior Center Intern (2nd left) here with veterans Steve Hennes, John Donovan (project coordinator) and Curt Hutchens.
Using humanities, the series encouraged conversations, exploration and an increased understanding of the Vietnam War and its impact.
It is impressive how the music of that time could convey so much then, and still does now, 50 years later.
The iconic and moving music of the era was brought to life by partnering with the Fabulous Armadillos and assisting with their interactive concert, “What’s Going On," featuring clips from the Ken Burns’ documentary and live stories. Over over 5,000 people attended sold out concerts in St. Cloud, Brainerd and Chanhassen.
The Fabulous Armadillos perform "What's Going On?" in St. Cloud
Central Minnesota Remembers Vietnam was a project of The HomeFront Resource Center with funding by the Minnesota Humanities Center utilizing funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Fund with support from Twin Cities Public Television.
The HomeFront Resource Center thanks the dozens of volunteers who made this series successful.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: St. Cloud, MN
Story Subject: Military Service
Veteran Organization: The Homefront Resource Center
Story Themes: Books, Central Minnesota Remembers Vietnam, Education, Homefront Resource Center, Music
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