Hibbing Community College Professor Steve Potts has been teaching about the Vietnam War for 40 years and says given the war’s divisiveness it has yet to be fully taught in schools since the war ended in 1975.
“That’s two generations that have grown up knowing next to nothing about Vietnam,” he said.
Local veterans hope the arrival of The Wall That Heals on the Iron Range helps change that.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) Community Impact Coordinator Michelle Lampton has been working closely with a planning committee through the organization’s United for Veterans program which successfully applied for The Wall That Heals to come to Chisholm this June.
“Time and again, our local veterans have said they hope young people come to The Wall this summer to learn about Vietnam and how it affected people in our community,” Lampton said. “School may be out, but we hope to see families – or groups that work with youth like the local scouts – come with children.”
Educators like Potts and Hibbing High School Social Studies instructor Joel McDonald advise there are a multitude of lessons that can be taught to local children thanks to The Wall That Heals.
“This could range from a simple geography lesson – find Vietnam on a map – to a political science lesson,” Potts said, noting topics can be tailored to the age group.
Bringing students to places of historical and cultural significance has many benefits, McDonald added.
“Since students would have to get to Washington D.C. to see the actual Vietnam Memorial, it is invaluable to be bringing the replica to us on the Iron Range,” he said.
Potts and McDonald both advise anyone bringing youth to The Wall to help prepare them with some background information – and to encourage them to ask questions of relatives or neighbors who served.
“If asked sensitively, there is a lot to learn,” Potts said.
UWNEMN has compiled a list of educational resources for anyone interested in preparing school-age children to visit The Wall That Heals. In addition, UWNEMN and Potts have organized two free speaker nights at Valentini’s this month to provide background and context to community members.
Potts will speak from 6 to 8 pm Monday June 6th and Monday June 13th at Valentini’s Supper Club in Chisholm. He said he intends to give the “Reader’s Digest version of the Vietnam War” by condensing 13 years into two evenings.
On June 6th, Potts intends to speak about the history behind Vietnam, how America got involved, and the first half of the war – up to 1968. On June 13th, he will dive into the impact of the Tet Offensive, the changing perception of the war, and the impact the war had on American politics and veterans.
“This is open to anyone,” he said noting he will not include any imagery or details sensitive for younger audiences. “I hope people leave with a general appreciation so when they go see The Wall That Heals later in the month they have a better understanding of what it means.”
Learning opportunities will also be available when The Wall That Heals is in Chisholm. In addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall replica, The Wall That Heals will arrive with a mobile education center full of photos, artifacts, and videos. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund staff will be on-hand to give group tours Thursday and Friday (June 23 and 24) at the Chisholm Football Field.
Group tours can be tailored to any age group. To arrange a group tour, contact info@unitedwaynemn.org.
More than 100 volunteers are still needed for The Wall That Heals this June. Click here to learn more.