On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice was signed to end the fighting on the western front of the Great War, or more commonly known as World War I. This day is celebrate in numerous other nations but after World War II, the United States changed the name of Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day to celebrate and honor the service of every veteran who has fought for freedom of the American people and in defense of our way of thought and life. You may not agree with some of the policies of our current president, or you may think our country is headed in the wrong direction, or even possibly that war is never the answer and we should not have a standing military. Regardless, from the American Revolution to the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, these men and woman have stepped up when asked and volunteered on their own to fight for what they feel to be right. Their dedication to our country and its citizens even when they are at times not welcomed back at home. Today, take a moment to thank someone that served time in our military. They have sacrificed life, limb, mental health, physical health, and time. Their service has enabled us to be able to have opinions on our country.
Tag Archives: Vietnam War
Book Review: Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral Histoy by Wallace Terry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History by Wallace Terry is one of the most powerful and moving books from the point of view of the soldiers who fought the battles day in and day out. Terry is the renowned authority on the African American soldier and experience in Vietnam. He was on the ground with the troops, interviewing them, creating the only documentary from the battlefield entitled Guess Who’s Coming Home: Black Fighting Men Recorded Live in Vietnam, released in 1972.
The African American men in Bloods tell their story in their own words, the way they experienced it. Their dialects show through the written speech. Each chapter is more moving and emotional than the next, dragging the reader down into the depths of war, creating an emotional investment in each person mentioned. But the stories are not only about the battle on the front lines but the battle inside themselves, behind the lines, and back at home. Each soldier discusses their views on the Civil Rights movement that is happening while they were away and its impact on them while they are at war. The emotions are still heavy as they tell stories of black, white, Hispanic, Asian, an American soldier is a brother. Others run into different scenarios of racism behind the line and sometimes their abilities to overcome it.
Even though Bloods was originally published in 1984, many words of the men who told their stories can still ring true today. Armchair historians, military fans, young adults, and anyone interested in a true horror story should read this oral history, but a minor amount of previous knowledge of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement is recommended for true comprehension. These men should be honored for being willing to share with the world their experiences in such a sensitive and life-changing time period. No doubt the rapport and trust built between the men and Terry while they were in the battlefield contributed greatly to their willingness to be interviewed after their return stateside. It is through that bond of trust that the public is graced with a rich primary resource such as Bloods.
For more information, please visit Wallace Terry’s website
To purchase Bloods, please click here.
Inspired by History 