A Vietnam Note

Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic

5 pages - complete on Monday May 28

Stop the Sun by Gary Paulsen

7 pages - complete on Monday May 28

To Heal a Nation by Joel L. Swerdlow

12 pages - complete on Monday May 28

For your final readings of Times of Change, I would like you to set aside some time on Monday (Memorial Day) to read the choices above. Once you are done, I would like for you to post in your blog a note to the men and women on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. After what you have learned over the past few days, and what you saw when we went to D.C., what would you want to say to them?

Dear Veterans,

I would like to thank you for sacrificing your life for our country. It is because of you that other Americans and myself stay safe and protected from harm. I admire your ability to have enough courage and selflessness to put other people's lives in front of your own. Thank you for everything you have done to insure the safety of my loved ones and myself.

Sincerely,

Misha

Native Vietnamese

Farmer Nguyen by W.D. Ehrhart
1 page - complete by Wednesday May 26
Massacre at My Lai by Hugh Thompson
2 pages - complete by Wednesday May 26
A Nun at Ninh Hoa by Jan Barry
1 page - complete by Wednesday May 26

What do these two poems and the article say about the impact of the war on the native Vietnamese? Can you think of any other ways in which the war will impact the native Vietnamese?
The poems and the articles say that when American soldiers came across a native Vietnamese that sided with the Vietcong they would beat them, take their crops, and sometimes make them carry supplies. Americans would also kill Vietnamese just because, for example the Massacre at My Lai which left 347 dead. All were innocent and even babies, women, teenage girls, and old men and women were killed. Many vietnamese even commit suicide sometimes by lighting themselves on fire.

I Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag

I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald

2 pages - complete by Wednesday May 23

This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:

What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?

To join the army.

… the “generals” to do?

To lead your troops into war and die for your country.

… “Wall Street” to do?

To hurry up and give the soldiers the supplies they need.

… “mothers” to do?

Make your son join the army.

Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment.

• Whoope! We're all gonna die.
• What are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.
• We're gonna have a whole lotta fun
• Be the first one on your block to have your son come home in a box.
  

Jack Smith

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

9 pages - complete by Wednesday May 23

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)

• Bullets
• Death
• Fear
• The noise
• Napalm

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?

He joined the army just for something to do until he was ready for college and came out of an understanding of the horrors of war and what its really like.

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution … by Goldberg

2 pages - complete by Tuesday May 22

What is the main thesis of the essay?

American never officially went to war yet thousands of American soldiers lost their lives.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to use all necessary measures to stop attacks against U.S. forces in Vietnam.

What evidence does the author give to support his thesis?
Only Congress can declare war and they never did, yet 55,000 American soldiers died and it opened a door of hate and bitter fighting inside and outside the U.S.

How does this link to the theme of the first reading, “A Dubious Crusade”?

The American public is filled with confusion and hatred towards the war.

History

History by Thuong Vuong-Riddick

2 pages - complete by Tuesday May 22

What is the overall theme of Vuong-Riddick's poem?

The theme of Voung-Riddick's poem is confusion.

A Dubious Crusade

A Dubious Crusade by James A. Warren

2 pages - complete by Tuesday May 22

Look up both words in the title of the short essay. What do they mean?

The word dubious means to hesitate or to doubt and crusade means a campaign concerning a political, social, or religious issue, typically motivated by a fervent desire for change

Relate the title to the reading. What is Warren saying? How do you think this will relate to the rest of our study if Vietnam?

The author Warren is saying the conflict in Vietnam ended badly for the United States and left us humiliated, and because of it Americans began to doubt their government. This will relate to the rest of our study on Vietnam because it shows how America's pride and belief that we were invincible all disappeared and made Americans were no longer confident.