As a kid, growing up in the 80s and 90s, I don’t believe I had fully understood the impact the Vietnam War had on my family. Now, a person in my late thirties with children of my own, I can begin to see how losing loved ones to war can change a family for generations to come.

My mother lost her older brother, Lawrence Kusilek, during his service in the Vietnam War. With his death now over 50 years ago, a lot of time has passed but the effect of his loss is still present in our hearts. While I attempt to write this story for my family, I can feel how much it is also for myself, as a father, a brother and as a son. 

In 1966, while Larry was deployed in Vietnam, he received an audio tape recorder as a gift that year. I was never certain as to how common of an idea it was back then but both Larry and his family had the same idea, which made it all the more wonderful when he talks about it on his first tape sent back home.

As one of his nephews, what follows is bittersweet knowing that we were given only a few recordings over a couple of months before he was killed in action. In many ways this is his story and offers a small glimpse into the uncle I never got to meet.

DECEMBER 25, 1966

After listening to these recordings quite a few times, it can seem like I’m having a conversation with him.  I was fascinated by his words and the stories he was telling.  I do feel like I was able to get to know him and being able to hear his voice can do so much more than a letter. 

Larry was just like any young person. He enjoyed listening to music, talking about cars and made friends everywhere he ended up.  He wanted to go traveling on his upcoming leave, thinking that he may regret it later in life if he didn’t go.  Very much a young man making plans and expecting to come back home to start his life with his fiance Carol.

Larry ultimately faced the harsh realities of war after losing several of his friends on a mission, out on that “problem” as he called it.  His friends, Jimmy Miller, Roger Mitchell and Martin Moreno were all killed in action on the same day, January 5th, 1967. 

I found these next recordings so captivating as he talks about the weight of recent events with some great stories mixed in as he spoke.  One of my favorites, is his story about New Year’s Eve at basecamp and instead of fireworks, the entire camp was shooting off rounds of all sorts of ammunition into the night sky.  That certainly would have been a sight to see.

JANUARY 9, 1967

Larry’s friends that were killed in action on January 5th, 1967

Surprisingly, because of their last names and the date they were killed, 
they are all listed one after the other in order on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

The last recording from Larry is of him and his bunkmates having a small party.  Everyone introduces themselves and says a few words.  Larry, or “Kus” as his friends were calling him, is always remembered as being well liked, and able to be friends with many people.  That is always the story my Mom told me about him.

I am thankful for the opportunity to share these audio recordings and add them to the collection of stories from other Minnesotans.  I hope to pass these along to our family’s next generation as a important memory.  We have a unique way for Larry to tell his story, in his own words, and it has been an experience of sadness but also happiness.  I am happy to still have the chance to hear his voice, his laughter and his stories.

-Patrick Mikesh