Desirae Rowan April 29, 2009 Social Studies 3

Vietnam Interview Assignment

(I interviewed my Uncle Lester, who lives in California, and was in the army at the time.) Record of Interview: Desi: What were you doing during the period of the Vietnam War? If you were in the U.S. military, were you drafted or did you enlist? When did you serve? If you were not in the military, where were you and what did you or your family think about military service? Lester: I wasnt drafted, but I did enlist. I served from 1963 through 1966. I was in Okanawa. My mom and dad were glad and proud to see me serve. Desi: At the time, what did you think about the United States involvement in Vietnam? Why did you think the U.S. was at war? Lester: At the time, I thought that U.S. involvement was a good idea. We were told that we were helping to stop communist aggression, so we all thought we were doing the right thing. Desi: How did you feel about the draft? Was anyone close to you or your family drafted? Lester: I thought the draft was good then and we should still have it. Everyone should have to serve back then, because if you were rich and your family had connections you could get out of the draft. Desi: If you were serving in the military, what did you understand your purpose to be? How do you now view your service in Vietnam and the reasons for which you were sent? Lester: Well, I never made it to Vietnam, but the reasons we were told was as I said to slow down communist aggression, and at the time it seemed like a good idea and the right thing, but I dont think the war was fought right at the end because we lost too many kids for the wrong reasons. If youre going to fight you fight all out and the military had their hands tied at the end. The end of the war dragged out to long, protesting politicians and we had to withdraw in disgrace in my opinion. Desi: Did your view of the war and the U.S. policy change as the war unfolded? Did any personal experiences during the war years significantly shape your views? Have your views changed since the war ended? Lester: I thought it was a good idea then, but in hind sight it was terrible. The way I was treated when I came home made me lost my respect for people that didnt serve or ran off to Canada. Desi: During the war years, did you believe that Johnson/Nixon correctly analyzed the situation in Asia and pursued the correct course of action? What do you think now?

Lester: I thought it was bad then and bad now. No then and no now. Desi: What other memories can you share from this period? Lester: It was great as far as rock and roll, hot rods and America being the greatest, but to many foreigners in this country that dont or wont assimilate and could care less about this country. Desi: What lessons for Americans today do you see in the Vietnam War experience? Lester: If youre going to get involved, you need to finish what you start. We are in the same mess now with Iraq. Desi: What effect did this war play on you and your family? Overall, what did you feel about the war then and now? Lester: I dont think it had much of a direct effect on me because I did not serve in Vietnam, but I did see a lot of poor kids coming back wounded in the hospital in Okanawa and they were a mess. I was thankful I didnt have to go. I thought the war was a good idea then, but now I think it was a mistake and a terrible idea.

Reflection: This first hand account from someone who was actually there really opened my eyes. I mean, yes, I have read all the facts and statistics and heard quotes, but that does not impact me as much as hearing about someone who was actually there. I got a better understanding of the war and what really went on through this interview. Hearing what my uncle had to say about the war and the politics involved, I really understand what it must have been like to have to serve during this difficult time period. I got a better insight into his mind and what was happening. I understand how stressful and hard it must have been not only to serve, but just to be a part of this time period. I got an opinion about what went on, and how not everyone agreed with the war and what was occurring. It kind of makes me scared to know what some soldiers had to go through since my uncle says he was glad he didnt actually have to go to Vietnam. I understand how scared he must have been, knowing how that at any moment he could have been sent to Vietnam to fight. This is a very scary thought, and Im glad he didnt have to go because who knows if he would even be here today. I know how he must have felt when he was serving, and the stresses and tensions that he had to go through. Overall, I just got a better look at the time period and what went on by doing this interview. I understand the harsh reality of war, and how difficult this was. Though he was directly affected by the war because he wasnt actually in Vietnam, I know many other families had to deal with sons going off

to war and not coming home. This is a hard truth to face, but one that many had to live with.