Kansas City's Vietnam Voices

Nguyet Ha-Le was born in Thai Binh, Vietnam, in 1953. She was born into a large family – the fifth of 10 children. From a comfortable life in North Vietnam to struggle in the divided South, Ha-Le recounts the events of the day before the fall of Saigon, her family's harrowing escape, and the path that led her to Kansas City.

Mel Carney discusses his time serving in the Vietnam War. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on May 29, 2017.

Michael Focke is a Marine, who served in the Iraq War. Now he spends his days connecting fellow veterans to transition services in Kansas City. One day after talking with local Vietnam veterans he decided to visit the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fountain. He found trash and a need for major repairs.

Rodney Heelan served in the 57th Signal Battalion in Ft. Hood, Texas and Vietnam. Submitted at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum on July 6, 2017.

Vietnam veteran Thomas Ponds served multiple tours in the U.S Marine Corps. He shares how he saw attitudes towards Vietnam veterans change over time.

Vietnam veteran Jim Maher served in the U.S. Navy. He talks about what coming home was like.

David Nelson remembers those who served and shares a story about a visit to Da Nang, Vietnam where his brother served. Submitted at the Mid-Continent Public Library - Antioch Branch on September 9, 2017.

KC Eichenberger of Summit Lakes Middle School interviews his grandfather Bob Abram about his service in Vietnam.Submitted to the Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by KC Eichenberger of Summit Lakes Middle School.

Mike Angel discusses his experience serving in the Vietnam War.Submitted to KCPT's Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by William Bennett Hume of Lee's Summit West High School.

Bill Wood discusses his 18 month in Vietnam as an infantry officer in the USMC in 1966 and 1967.Recorded at the Olathe Public Library.

Robert Steil discusses the first draft lottery on December 1, 1969, "a day that altered the lives of so many young men." Recorded at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.

Vietnam veteran Earl Boutell shares how Kansas Senator Bob Dole made a difference in his service.

From Navy to Air Force, Marines to Army, nearly 100 Vietnam veterans and their families marked their service on a large 13 by 20-foot map of the Vietnam War on Sunday, May 29, during the annual Bank of America Celebration at the Station.Flatland KC's Binita Dahal asked veterans and other attendees what comes mind when they hear Vietnam War.

From Ron Stockbauer: "I served on a Navy River Patrol Boat in the Mekong Delta in 1970. Prior to my tour in Vietnam I was very much against our involvement and my experience in Vietnam just confirmed my feelings.

Vietnam veteran John Krisman shares his experience riding on tanks during his service in the U.S. Army.

Vietnam veteran James Rifenbark shares his experience as a U.S. Army photographer.

Lupe Banuelos, who served 2 tours in Da Nang, Vietnam in 1971 and 1972, reflects on the effects of the war on his family.

Tiffany Tu describes her experience fleeing Vietnam in 1977 in this short documentary by University of Missouri - Kansas City students.Submitted to KCPT's Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by a student group from the University of Missouri - Kansas City led by Jessica Canaday.

Norman Sowell describes his Vietnam experience in a film by students from Park Hill South High School.Submitted to KCPT's Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by a group from Park Hill South High School led by Gabriel Sowell.

William Payne discusses his experience serving in the Vietnam War.Submitted to KCPT's Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by a student group from the University of Missouri - Kansas City led by Derek Collins.

Christopher Krueger-Trigg shares stories of his father, Charles Edward Trigg, SP4, 101st Airborne Assault, Screaming Eagles.

Jim Tate speaks of his memories of the Vietnam War in 1953. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on May 26, 2017.

Floyd Jones described his service. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on June 22, 2017.

John Hopkins shares the story of his stepfather, Bill Phillips. Submitted at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum on July 6, 2017.

Rodney Lawerence Heelan served in the 587th cable construction battalion in Vietnam. Submitted at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on July 16, 2017.

Mike Shanin, host of KCPT's "Ruckus," served in the United States Army in Vietnam during the war. Hear him recount the story of how his photo ended up in his hometown paper.

Veteran Maurice Copeland tells the story of his first night in Vietnam. Submitted at the Mid-Continent Public LIbrary - Antioch Branch on September 7, 2017.

Abraham Joseph David shares a story about his uncle's death in the the Vietnam War.

Jessica Blom of Olathe Northwest High School interviews Joe Bauer about his experience serving in the Vietnam War.Submitted to the Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by Jessica Blom of Olathe Northwest High School.

Josh Marvine of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School interviews Charles Marvine, a Vietnam veteran, about his lucky day, April 26, 1970.Submitted to the Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by Josh Marvine of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

Albert Ballard, Jr. discusses his service. Recorded at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.

Vietnam veteran William Leppert shares his experience as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy. Leppert talked about his experiences in Vietnam as part of KCPT's Stories of Service and community engagement around "The Vietnam War."

One of Tony Pino's most vivid memories from his service in the U.S. Army in Vietnam are his "midnight requisitions."

Carol Fair speaks about women in the Vietnam War. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on May 28, 2017.

For nearly two full tours, Arnold Swift worked with Chaplains setting up services and doing Memorial Services. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on May 26, 2017.

Couple describes how the war brought them together. Submitted at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on June 28, 2017.

Curt Oldroyd discusses his service during the Vietnam War. Submitted at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum on July 4, 2017.

Vietnam veteran John Reichley shares the friendship and bond he made with his Vietnamese translator.

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sly James is a United States Marine veteran of the Vietnam War era. He enlisted in April of 1971 and served four years. Hear him explain what it means to him to be a Marine.

Shuxin (Amy) Pan of the Barstow School captures the story of Đa Hửu Võ, a Vietnamese man who served as a military intelligence officer in the Vietnam War.Submitted to KCPT's Vietnam Voices Student Video Contest by Shuxin (Amy) Pan of the Barstow School.

As a second year dental student at Creighton University in 1963, Thomas L. Brown was drafted. He served in the reserve medical service corps until his honorable discharge in May 1974. Recorded at the Robert. J. Dole Institute of Politics.