Portfolio Links:
Portfolio page 4
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
A.C. Sanders III Writer
Captain Sanders served the men as battery commander of Charlie
Battery, 1st/14th Artillery, 198th Light Infantry Brigade. This brigade
was part of the Americal Division and operated in the northern I Corps
sector of South Vietnam. He stands next to one of the 105mm
howitzers used by the men of Charlie Battery to support infantry troops.
Battery, 1st/14th Artillery, 198th Light Infantry Brigade. This brigade
was part of the Americal Division and operated in the northern I Corps
sector of South Vietnam. He stands next to one of the 105mm
howitzers used by the men of Charlie Battery to support infantry troops.
VIGNETTES OF WAR
The following is the
forward to a compilation
of vignettes written for
my wife's world history
class. It explains the
purpose of the project.
forward to a compilation
of vignettes written for
my wife's world history
class. It explains the
purpose of the project.
How do I tell the tale? My
wife, a history teacher,
requests my presence in
her class room once a
year. Prior to my visit,
she preps the class with
historical and social
background. I then
attempt to proffer a birds
eye version of the
wife, a history teacher,
requests my presence in
her class room once a
year. Prior to my visit,
she preps the class with
historical and social
background. I then
attempt to proffer a birds
eye version of the
The sessions have been well received by students, and cathartic for me. These kids were
born after the controversy of those fiery years had faded into memory, hostilities erupting
to unravel the social threads from American tapestry. They sit with wide-eyed innocence
anxious to hear the story without preconceived notions. How refreshing!
born after the controversy of those fiery years had faded into memory, hostilities erupting
to unravel the social threads from American tapestry. They sit with wide-eyed innocence
anxious to hear the story without preconceived notions. How refreshing!
I cover the geography, people, soldiers, and types of operations. We discuss the
frustrations of those who fought the war, their feeling of betrayal. The kids ask questions,
sincere and well-intentioned. My goal is to convey the realization that war is not
glamorous, but makes animals of those sent to fight them, regardless of moral
justification. I implore them to enter adulthood as responsible citizens, willing to hold
politicians accountable for committing young warriors to battle only as necessary.
frustrations of those who fought the war, their feeling of betrayal. The kids ask questions,
sincere and well-intentioned. My goal is to convey the realization that war is not
glamorous, but makes animals of those sent to fight them, regardless of moral
justification. I implore them to enter adulthood as responsible citizens, willing to hold
politicians accountable for committing young warriors to battle only as necessary.
Mary received feedback from this year’s classes. The kids were moved, particularly when
she read a poem I wrote about comrades lost. That is good. But, I reneged on the deal.
They never penetrated my wall; did not see what I had seen. In an effort to achieve
objectivity and avoid the old war story syndrome, I left them with a sterilized narrative,
devoid of pain. Perhaps they should hear the truth.
she read a poem I wrote about comrades lost. That is good. But, I reneged on the deal.
They never penetrated my wall; did not see what I had seen. In an effort to achieve
objectivity and avoid the old war story syndrome, I left them with a sterilized narrative,
devoid of pain. Perhaps they should hear the truth.
Vietnam War. Two problems: first, I have never found words adequate for the account.
Second, I care not to consider my life experiences as antiquity. This old man just ain’t that
old yet; or so I choose to think.
Second, I care not to consider my life experiences as antiquity. This old man just ain’t that
old yet; or so I choose to think.