Chris Prepares to Interview Vietnam Veteran

American soldiers stationed in Vietnam. 
Image source:  faculty.polytechnic.org.
(public domain)

A stolid, poised young man, Chris arrived to Edge at the beginning of the year with a clear path:  to study the Vietnam War.  Per his characteristic determination, he has largely stuck to that plan.  He has analyzed the technologies employed by the Vietcong in defending North Vietnam, and he has read through accounts that critique Jane Fonda for her sympathies with the North Vietnamese (earning her the derisive name of "Hanoi Jane").  Chris also explored key terms/ideas such as "the Tet Offensive," "the Kent State Incident," and "the Fall of Saigon.

Early on, something cemented for Chris.  After expressing interest in joining the Marines on numerous occasions, he began to focus his studies towards understanding the experiences of the American soldiers themselves.  He examined countless soldier accounts (e.g., Ron Kovic's Born on the Fourth of July and Tim O'Brian's The Things They Carry), and he analyzed their feelings towards the draft while in college, their experiences clearing tunnels of rats while in Vietnam, and their traumatic experiences as P.O.W.s under the Vietcong.  He researched Agent Orange not only for an interest in the chemical make-up of the weapon but also for his earnest concern in how it altered the physiology of a soldier.  He also looked up Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, spoke with Tess and Luca, and analyzed the effectiveness of the VA Center in assisting struggling veterans.

U.S. soldiers taking a break while on patrol. 
Image source:  pinterest.com. 
(public domain)

Across those foci, two points remain consistent for Chris:  (1) his unwavering compassion and empathy for American veterans, and (2) his concern that contemporary American conflicts mimic the Vietnam War in its consequences for American soldiers.

So, how is Chris applying that compassion?

He has elected to devote his second semester in Edge to connect with American veterans so that he might learn their stories first-hand.  He has teamed up with the Edge Team to explore the Veteran's History Project, a volunteer-based program that connects individuals (even students) with veterans.  Recently, however, he has found an alternative via one of Kildonan's trustees.  Inspired by a conversation with Chris, a board member has reached out to a childhood friend who happened to serve in Vietnam.  That individual has agreed to speak with Chris, so the latter has been hard at work preparing a variety of interview questions.

Chris reflects on his learning experiences in Edge as follows:  

"I learn by starting at the big picture, then focusing on a few things, then going back out again, and focusing another time.  It's like a big accordion.  In ordinary classes, teachers are the spoiler alert.  They ruin the movie for you.  But in Edge, you don't have spoilers.  You get to experience the movie yourself."   

We at Edge are grateful to have you as an Edge Maker, Chris! (If you have a thought on Chris's journey or a resource for him, please post in the comments section below.)