Vietnam Era Museum

Today we visited part of our own history. History that happened in our lifetimes.

We visited the Vietnam Era Museum in Holmdel, New Jersey.

I took no pictures.

It is an immersive experience. There’s no way to photograph that.

It’s all in one big room.

Around the outside walls of the room there are displays that orient you as to the geography of the location and a time line that places the Viet Nam war in perspective as to what was happening before and during the time of the war. It’s not all sad. I’m trying to hold onto the image of Goldie Hawn in her bikini and body paint on Laugh-In.

Opposite that wall there are stands holding letters. Lots and lots of letters. To and from those serving in our armed forces.

In the middle there’s a theater with glass walls so you can see into it and hear it from everywhere in the room. On the big screen in that theater area people talk about their experiences relating to the war. Mostly people who served: a clerk, a medic, a door gunner, a black man who listens to racial slurs regarding the Viet Namese, a woman whose job we never learn, and more. We hear them talk about what is was like going over, being there, and coming home.

But, we also hear from people whose loved ones never came home.

Everyone who wants to understand more about that war–or the current one–should go to this museum.

But, bring at least one hankie. Because I guarantee you are going to cry.

TTYL,

Linda