Vietnam veterans will share stories at Grand Valley

Thirty veterans are participating in the presentation series, “My Year in Vietnam — Vietnam Veterans Share Their Stories,” organized by professor James Smither, director of the Veterans History Project at Grand Valley State University.

“Piling On,” the third presentation in the series, will be held Tuesday, October 29, at 7 p.m., in Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Veterans Edward Morrin, Ken Scott and Michael Raudenbush will share their stories of working in Vietnam transportation and infantry positions.

“More than 2.3 million Americans served in and around Vietnam between 1961 and 1973, and each one has a unique story to tell,” said Smither. “Their stories go well beyond the traditional stereotypes, both negative and positive, of the American soldier in Vietnam.”

The panelists include not only combat infantrymen from the Army and Marine Corps, but also radiomen, medical corpsmen, engineers, artillerists, officers, various support personnel, a dog handler, a prison guard and a Special Forces member.

For more details about the Veterans History Project and a complete schedule of the Vietnam presentation series, visit http://www.gvsu.edu/vethistory.