Documentary looks at Vietnam

by Stan Lowe, Chairman (retired), Wyoming Veterans’ Commission
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:22 AM MDT

A documentary film “Vietnam n Remembered” by Larry Cappetto, an independent filmmaker, author and producer of the award winning television film documentary series “Lest They Be Forgotten,” is coming to Casper.

It is outstanding. Don’t miss it.

Admission is free, as it is sponsored by Bustard’s Funeral Directors and Crematory. It will be shown on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Highland Park Community Church.

Mark it on your calendar now while you remember it.

Cappetto’s Vietnam production is the sixth in a series of documentaries created from 600 interviews of veterans across the country. The other five n- two of which were shown previously in Casper -n feature World War II, the Korean War and Canadian veterans.

Lee Alley, 1st Lt., AUS (retired), Wheatland, is a Vietnam War veteran who appears in the film several times. He is one of Wyoming’s most highly decorated veterans. Currently, he is chairman of the Wyoming Veterans’ Commission. He, together with Wade Stevenson, authored an outstanding book, “Back from War: A Quest For Life After Death,” a very good read.

Alley said this about the film: “I am really so proud of Larry. He has given the Vietnam vets a voice.”

Francis B. Ahearn, lst Lt., USMC (retired), Casper, is also in the film. Here are his comments: “It tells this very important part of history through the words of those that were actually there and know about the pain and suffering.”

The documentary begins with the important role helicopters had in fighting the war in Vietnam.

The veterans then talk about bonding with other troops, as happens in every war, and how they handled losses of buddies.

Of course, the protesters back home come up. These troops were fighting a war for our country and theirs. They had trouble understanding those people, just like all other loyal Americans.

The veterans had no difficulty explaining why they were over there: to stop the insidious spread of communism, an established national policy enforced elsewhere.

They shared their innermost thoughts about their arrival in Vietnam, with its hot, humid climate and danger everywhere. The enemy was indistinguishable from ordinary civilians.

The Medevac veterans told of their helicopter retrievals of wounded warriors. Their patients praised them for their bravery and help given the wounded.

Battle-hardened veterans related their innermost feelings: pumping adrenaline that kept them going while fighting and the exhausting letdown afterward.

Love of country and its flag expressed by those men is very moving. It strengthens your own patriotic feelings to hear them talk about it.

Regarding how that war ended, those men that were there knew the military could have won it, hands down. The politicians lost it, humiliating our country and cheapening its rich heritage.

Proud of their service? You bet. They had a chance to serve their country. The “price of freedom?” They knew it firsthand. They saw the blood, picked up men’s severed legs and arms.

Their return home: “baby killers,” spit on. People hated them for doing their duty. No parades or “attaboys.” People didn’t want to talk with them about their experiences. They were made to feel ashamed to wear their uniforms. Was this the country they fought for?

Readers, you must experience this. Bring Kleenex. Don’t be ashamed to shed tears with these heroes. They deserve your compassion.

The recognition and awards for “Vietnam n Remembered” are rolling in. It’s been selected for screening at the annual 2008 G.I. Film Festival in Washington. The VA is using it in its medical centers across the country to assist Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients.

Cappetto, a recipient of the Freedom Foundation’s George Washington Honor Medal, continues his search for more veterans to interview. He is focusing now on those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf War, but is still looking for more WWII, Korea and Vietnam vets.

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