Cynthia J. Thomas

The book and the class are of inestimable value in giving students perspective on the history of the Vietnam conflict, helping many better understand their grandparents and other family members who served during that time.

Students interviewed in the films, as well as some attending or serving as hosts at performances, affirmed the importance of the Vietnam study, saying it helped them realize that in many ways, Vietnam was a turning point in how our nation approached conflict and support for our military, in contrast with the unwavering patriotism of the Greatest Generation. 

In his remarks, Lowe shared the story of a USAF pilot, Neal Black, whose Husky helicopter was downed during a rescue mission, and Black’s subsequent imprisonment, used by the enemy for propaganda before his eventual release.