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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Veterans signed up for ‘Naperville in Vietnam’ program will meet March 30

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Several months ago a group met at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 to begin planning a “Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration” in Naperville, providing opportunities for both the VFW Post and the American Legion Post 43 to participate officially in the program.  The next meeting to address the first initiative, “Naperville in Vietnam,” is slated for 7PM on Mon., March 30, at the VFW, located at 908 W. Jackson St.

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The Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 is located at 908 W. Jackson St.

“The 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War means we are committed to do 12 events under this program in the next three years” explained Wayne Fischer.  “That goal will get started with the ‘Naperville in Vietnam’ Program being coordinated by Naperville North High School and we’re meeting Monday night to get started.”

The faculty, staff and students involved in this project under the leadership of Naperville North teachers Michael Jelinek and Jeff Bedore intend to memorialize the sacrifices and the courageous service of our nation’s Vietnam Veterans. Project coordinators will present the project and answer questions during the meeting. Vietnam Era Veterans also can schedule an appointment for a personal interview.

Currently 46 Veterans who served in the Vietnam Era have signed up for their goal of 50 participants, Fischer added.

“If you are a Vietnam Era Veteran and have not signed up, please plan to attend the meeting this Monday night at the VFW,” said Fischer. “After that meeting, we will be moving pretty fast to accomplish this program at Naperville North.”

Naperville North High School Project Overview

Veteran’s Interview

Vietnam Era Veterans will be interviewed by a Naperville North military history student for “Naperville in Vietnam.” These interviews will be filmed in the school’s TV studio.  Photographs of any artifacts brought to the interview will be taken at this time. The items will be returned to the Veteran when he/she is finished with the interview.

Film Production

Footage from a subset of the individual interviews will be cut into a film “Naperville in Vietnam.”  The film will debut in the NNHS performance center and the showing will be made open to the public.  It will also be submitted to NCTV and hopefully shown as content on local TV.  DVD copies would be put on file in school and local libraries and, of course, veterans will be given a copy.

Note! It is important to understand that it is impossible to include footage from every one of the fifty (50) Veteran interviews in the final film.  However, there will be an entry dedicated to every one of the men and women who participate in the interview process in the book described below.

Book Production

Students will turn the material they collect from veterans (interviews, questionnaires and photographs) into a companion book to the film also titled “Naperville in Vietnam.”  The plan is to publish the book and again put copies on file in local libraries.  The book will also be available for general purchase and all proceeds will be donated to Operation Comfort Warriors & the Unmet Needs Programs.

Veteran’s  Role In the Process

Again, the  Naperville VFW and Legion posts are hosting a meeting at 7PM Mon., March 30, at the Naperville VFW Post, located at 908 W. Jackson. Vietnam Era Veterans are urged to attend  attend if possible as project coordinators will go over the entire process, answer questions, and schedule interview times.

Interviews will take place April 13, 14 and 15 at Naperville North High School between the hours of 8AM – 1:30PM.  Veterans will be on camera interviewing for about 15 – 20 minutes.   The entire experience should last about an hour.  Time will be available from 4PM and into the evening on Tues., April 21 for anyone who cannot do an interview during the day.  If none of those times work, students may be able to conduct an interview over the phone at another convenient time.

Veterans are encouraged to bring memorabilia/artifacts of their service (pictures, gear, decorations, uniforms) that can be photographed or scanned.  (Please, no weapons of any kind.)  A period photograph during your time of enlistment that can be used in the film and book is requested,

In addition, Veterans will be asked to schedule a date to be photographed individually at the location of your choice within the city of Naperville.  This photo will be used in the book.  Student photographers will arrange to meet you at the time and place of your choosing.  (Please note! Students can take photos outside a veterans home but are not allowed to go inside their home.)  Veterans will have to coordinate with any other entity that may require permission for a photograph to be taken in their facility or on their grounds.

All communication for the project will be via e-mail unless that is absolutely impossible from the Veteran’s perspective.  (If so, an alternate communication plan will be set.)

Questionnaire

A questionnaire will be e-mailed to all participants to help meet a goal to compile an oral history documenting the experience of Naperville residents who served in the military during the Vietnam era.  Consider the questions as open ended to create stories. Feel free to elaborate as much as possible.  Similarly, some Veterans may choose to skip a question and move on.  There is no “requirement” to respond to every question.  Any and all information the veteran cares to share in writing with students will be appreciated.

Send the completed questionnaire—and any questions as the project goes along—to the project coordinators. Simply e-mail Jeff Bedore at  jbedore@naperville203.org, Mike Jelinek at  mjelinek@naperville203.org  or Wayne Fischer at wayne.l.fischer@gmail.com.

 

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