ZebraZebra

A Closer LookA Closer Look

What countries border Vietnam?What countries border Vietnam?

Why did President Johnson Why did President Johnson have the US join in the have the US join in the Vietnam War?Vietnam War?

Who were the Viet Cong?Who were the Viet Cong?

What was Vietnamization?What was Vietnamization?

58,000 American Soldiers died58,000 American Soldiers died

300,000 American Soldiers were wounded300,000 American Soldiers were wounded

$200 billion were spent$200 billion were spent

In 1975- Vietnam was united under In 1975- Vietnam was united under Communist ruleCommunist rule

Do you think Nixon made the right Do you think Nixon made the right choice in pulling out troops, or do choice in pulling out troops, or do you think we should have stayed you think we should have stayed and fought until we won?and fought until we won?

What was the Vietnam What was the Vietnam Moratorium?Moratorium?

Do you think you would have Do you think you would have participated in the Vietnam participated in the Vietnam Moratorium? Why or why not?Moratorium? Why or why not?

What is a Memorial?What is a Memorial?

(1 min)(1 min)

The video gave a brief The video gave a brief overview of the Washington overview of the Washington Monument, the National World Monument, the National World War II Monument, The War II Monument, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. and the Lincoln Memorial. Which of these would you Which of these would you want to visit? Why?want to visit? Why?

Washington, DCWashington, DC

VietnamVietnam

Washington, DCWashington, DC

VermontVermont

RaleighRaleigh

Washington, DCWashington, DC

Long Island, New YorkLong Island, New York

Westminster, CaliforniaWestminster, California

MassachusettsMassachusetts

Washington, DCWashington, DC

New JerseyNew Jersey

Woodstock, IllinoisWoodstock, Illinois

Wooster, OhioWooster, Ohio

What are some common What are some common elements of these Vietnam elements of these Vietnam Memorials?Memorials?

(2 min)(2 min)

Design a Vietnam Memorial Design a Vietnam Memorial that you would like to see that you would like to see made in Jacksonville, NC. made in Jacksonville, NC. Draw a picture and/or write Draw a picture and/or write specific details about it.specific details about it.

(5 min)(5 min)

SOLDIERSOLDIERBy: Ed Coet, Major, USA-RetiredBy: Ed Coet, Major, USA-Retired

  

  I saw a burial with a  bugler I saw a burial with a  bugler playing taps;playing taps;        I turned to my father,         I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.“what happened?” I asked.He clutched my hand and He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,with a quiver in his voice,      he began to explain and       he began to explain and his eyes became moist.his eyes became moist.  “My son,” he said, “this is “My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;rather difficult for me;       for an old veteran like        for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see.myself this is tough to see.In that coffin lies a genuine In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,patriotic warrior,      an honest-to-God hero,       an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier.an American soldier.      

I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave,       and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave.He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold;       please remember him son, as you grow old. The value of his service, I must explain,       if not remembered, will be lost in vain.As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him;       and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.” I listened in awe as my father spoke,

              it seemed as if his heart were it seemed as if his heart were broke.broke.I suddenly remembered when he went I suddenly remembered when he went to war,to war,       and when he returned I thought        and when he returned I thought nothing more.nothing more.  I never asked why he walked with a I never asked why he walked with a limp,limp,       and I didn’t care about why he was        and I didn’t care about why he was sick.sick.I was to busy enjoying the life that I I was to busy enjoying the life that I had,had,       to realize that I had it because of        to realize that I had it because of dad.dad.  I finally understood what my dad was I finally understood what my dad was about,about,       and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.       and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.He sacrificed so much so I could be He sacrificed so much so I could be free,free,       and his battle scars were suffered        and his battle scars were suffered for me.for me.  

It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day;       Thank God I finally understood what he had to say.I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest,       and I thought about the medals pinned on his chest.  That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;       and I pledged that day to never again forget.I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;     I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier. 

Create a Venn Diagram Create a Venn Diagram comparing The Vietnam War comparing The Vietnam War with the War in Iraq.with the War in Iraq.

Do you think the new Do you think the new President should continue to President should continue to fight or pull out our troops?fight or pull out our troops?