Vietnam veterans visit ‘Stoga
By Lavi Ben-Dor, Convergence Editor
Several local members of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association came to speak to Conestoga students on May 11. The veterans discussed their experiences serving in the military during the Vietnam War and displayed replicas of soldiers’ equipment used in the conflict.
Veteran Paul Hanson spoke about his experiences before, during and after his service in the military. He also donned a vest, helmet and other gear that he would have worn while on active duty. He said that he believes students have benefited from hearing the veterans describe their experiences.
“I think that the students have been really interested in the history,” Hanson said.
Sophomore Kate Bazany attended the presentation and said that she enjoyed hearing about what the speakers went through during the war.
“It was interesting to hear about [the veterans’] personal experiences as soldiers,” Bazany said. “Some of the hardships they described, like the poisonous snakes [in Vietnam], seemed terrifying.”
Hanson said that he hopes that students will come to understand the conflict better as a result of hearing from people who experienced it.
“I hope they see the human side of history,” Hanson said. “Anyone can read the textbook, but the textbook doesn’t show the experiences of those who went through it.”
Lavi Ben-Dor can be reached at lbendor@stoganews.com.
