An idea whose time has come: the VVLF
I’ve learned through Brainster that there’s a newly-formed organization called the Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation. Their website is a bit sparse as yet, but this looks as though it could be a fascinating project.
A group of Vietnam Veterans, some of whom were members of the Swift Vets, have joined together and declare the following to be their mission:
to tell the American people the truth about what really happened in Vietnam. Our goal is to continue the work of countering more than three decades of misinformation and propaganda, and to set the record straight.
They envision using a multimedia approach:
The VVLF will serve as a national repository of related materials, information and records of the Vietnam War. We will make this information available and encourage people to learn more about the real history of the war and its impact on those who fought it. This material may include accounts from Vietnam Vets, sworn testimony, oral histories, and personal memorabilia. Specific packages of information will be made available to interested teachers, students and educational institutions.
The VVLF will create independent films and documentaries regarding the events and history of the Vietnam War. Exhibits and visual materials will be made available to museums, libraries and other public places.
They’re asking for donations. Sounds like a worthy cause.
One of the interesting ironies is that none of this might have happened had it not been for the candidacy of John Kerry, and his decision to base so much of his campaign on his Vietnam record.
It seems the wheels of history grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine.
Dropped by your site to get some ideas for a blog I’m putting up about Viet Nam. I was there in 1968, in and around DaNang with the 1st Marine Division. You might find it interesting ! —Jack— vietnam war history
troutsky, trotsky?
you folks can let go of the myths and revisionism
Ah yes, the liberals favorite, the proverbial “you folks”, the mythical species that is screwing up “our world”. The problem with the “you folks” is that some of “us folks” have some degree of intelligence and one hell of a lot more experience on the subject in question. But perhaps he does know the truth…after all he was a teenage war protestor.
He is right on one point, however, the truth is ugly. But it always is.
Sounds a bit like Wikipedia, or at least the same impulse, using the same DIY techniques and technology. Looks like official academia has inspired its own competition!
Let’s all make our own Foundations and we can all inform and educate regardless of our scholarship.Along these lines you might like the holocaust deniers foundation, dedicated to telling the American people the truth about what REALLY happened in WW11.Their goal is to counter the propaganda and misinformation of the Jews and to set the record straight, using a multimedia approach.Sounds like a worthy cause.
“The war in Viet Nam is but a symptom of a far deeper malady within the American spirit.”
Martin Luther King Jr. 1967
The malady is still alive and well and will continue to eat away at this country until you folks can let go of the myths and revisionism and face the ugly truth.
Sounds like a noteworthy project and one that will further inform and educate.
Texas Tech University already has the largest collection of Vietnam archives outside of the National Archives. They are also in the process of buildng a museum and research library to house their extensive collection. Additionally there is a searchable online archive that is being constantly added to.
Take a look at: The Vietnam Center
You make a great and important point regarding Kerry 2004 and the changes it has brought about.
Kerry announcing he would be a candidate for 2004, and “…reporting for duty,” set in motion changes that will be dicussed for generations.
Speaking of Kerry, it has been 98 DAYS….
Whay do you thing that historical documentaries have this popularity these days?
actually, i watched this movie twice because i sort of laughed a lot on the ugly truth movie ;:’