By Brad H., Director of Community and Staff Engagement
Over the last eleven years, I’ve led a U.S. History-themed book club called True Brew that currently meets at Bier Brewery in Noblesville every fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. This group is not only a great forum to discuss our nation’s storied history but also a wonderful place to connect with others. Each month we dig deep into the ideas explored in the book while also developing friendships that have endured over the years.
Let me offer a small sample of our discussions. This thoughtful reflection on the Vietnam War was written by an anonymous veteran guest author from our book club and is a great reminder of the service and sacrifice of our armed forces for this upcoming Veterans Day.
“Fifty years ago, at 7:53 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the final CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter lifted off from the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, marking the end of a conflict that still stirs debate and reflection. Historians may continue to discuss the motivations behind America’s involvement, the challenges faced by the South Vietnamese government, and whether the United States lost the war or simply shifted its objectives under domestic pressure.
History records the Vietnam War as spanning from November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975. Between those dates lies a simple dash—a small mark that represents one of the most torturous periods in American history. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall bears the names of 58,220 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. But, that dash stands for so much more. We explore those tumorous years and the “other story” that the dash represents. As a small sampling, it represents over three million Americans who served in the war, including more than 1.5 million who saw combat. It stands for the over 150,000 service members who were wounded in Vietnam. It also represents more than twelve million mothers, fathers, wives, children, and loved ones who anxiously waited for the return of their service members. Those who waited also served—enduring agony, hardship, worry, and pain during their loved ones’ absence.
You will hear and discuss phrases and places bore from Vietnam: Tet, Vietnamization, Search and Destroy, Rolling Thunder, Agent Orange, Da Nang, Ia Drang, Nha Trang, dust-off, Body Count, Can Tau, China Beach, Khe Sanh, Dak To, Hill 881, Quang Tri, Hue, the Domino Effect, Pleiku, Cam Ranh Bay, and so many more. These names and terms are more than history—they are memories, experiences, and sacrifices that shaped a generation. Let us never forget the meaning of that dash. Let us honor not only those who served, but also those who waited, loved, and endured. Their service and sacrifice deserve our deepest gratitude—today and always.”
If you are interested in joining us at True Brew, feel free to contact Brad Howell at [email protected].
Here are some resources on the Vietnam War that I’d recommend:
Hue 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam by Mark Bowden
The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction by Tim O’Brien
The Vietnam War: Parts I and II (DVD); directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick