Protest and Veterans:A Comparison of the Vietnam War

and the War on Terror

Courtney WoodTeach American History Grant

2010

Purpose and ObjectivesAs the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have carried on in this

first decade of the 21st century, a comparison has been made to another controversial military conflict of the 20th century. The similarities between the Vietnam War and the War on Terror are striking. This primary source set examines some of the similarities and differences. Some would say that the mistakes of the past and the tactics used to fight against them are repeating themselves today. Others would say that the United States is once again answering the call to defend democracy. The goal of this presentation is to present the parallels and discuss whether or not we as a nation are reliving the past and if the notion of “not repeating the mistakes of the past,” is at all possible.

Background InformationThese assignments and discussions are culminating

activities following a unit discussing and analyzing the Vietnam War. It would be beneficial to present information about the September 11th attacks and the outbreak of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students with basic outside information will be better able to make historical comparisons and think critically.

Some of the lyrics of some of the songs used contain limited adult language. Teacher discretion is advised. (This is especially the case with both Winter Soldier Hearings- for juniors and seniors only due to extremely graphic accounts of war time events)

Outline1. Protest Music2. Veterans Protest Groups and Tactics

Vietnam Veterans Against War and Iraq Veterans Against WarWinter Soldier HearingsGuerilla Theater

3. Veterans’ Medical Care (or lack thereof)Bronx VA and the Walter Reed Medical Center

War Protest Songs

Vietnam Protest SongsSimple of Song of Freedom1. According to the lyrics, who wants war?2. What message is being sent by this song?

Vietnam Protest SongsWar1. Why does Starr despise war?2. According to Starr, how does the war affect the

young men fighting?3. According to the lyrics, what do we need more of

today?

Vietnam Protest SongFortunate Son1. Why do you think the senator’s, millionaire’s and

military (officer’s) sons are fortunate?2. What is the message of the song?

Vietnam Protest SongBring Them Home1. Who will be sad if the troops come home?2. According the lyrics, when would Seeger fight

against the enemy?3. Is this an anti-war or an anti-Vietnam song?

Explain.

War On Terror Protest SongThe Day After Tomorrow 1. What will happen the day after tomorrow?2. According to the lyrics, what was the soldier

fighting for? What was he not fighting for?3. How might this song influence the public perception

of the war in Iraq?

War On Terror Protest SongDear Mr. President1. Is this criticism of George W. Bush similar to

criticism of Presidents Johnson and Nixon? Explain.2. What does Pink want President Bush to explain?3. This song was not widely released in the United

States. Why? How might people have reacted? If it was released, do you think radio stations and music television would have embraced it?

War On Terror Protest SongMosh1. “No more blood for oil, we got out own battles to

fight on our own soil.” What does Eminem mean? Should we focus our attention on issues at home? What about the terrorists who threaten our nation?

2. What does Eminem call on his audience to do?3. What or who is being criticized? The war?

President Bush? Both?

War On Terror Protest SongAmerican Idiot1. “Where everything isn’t meant to be okay, Television

dreams of tomorrow, We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.” What does this mean?

2. “One nation controlled by the media.” Why do that?

War On Terror Protest SongDo You Know The Enemy?1. Who is the enemy? 2. How could this topic be associated with the War on

Terror?

Veterans Protest Groups:

Vietnam Veterans Against the War John Kerry- Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement (1

971- text)Part One (audio) Part Two (Audio)Part Three (audio)1. What was the purpose of the Winter Soldier

Investigation?2. According to John Kerry, what do the Vietnamese

people want?3. What message is Kerry attempting to send to

Congress when describing the “mistake,” that is, in his opinion, the Vietnam War?

4. The last sentence: What does Kerry mean by turned (around)? Have we as a nation done this?

Iraq Veterans Against the WarIVAW Website: Why Are We Against the War?1. In your opinion, what are the three top reasons why

this group opposes the current war?2. How is this group similar to the VVAW?

Differences?

Vietnam Winter Soldier Hearings**Notes- Caution, Extremely GraphicWinter Soldier-VVAW part 1

Iraq/AfghanistanWinter Soldier Hearings

BBC Coverage of the Iraq Winter SoldierIraq Winter Soldier**Caution- Extremely Graphic!1. How were the stories of both sets of veterans

similar? Different?2. Before this assignment, have you ever heard of

these events? 3. If this an effective tool of protest?

Vietnam Guerilla TheaterPage 98 The Turning (pg 98)

Iraq Guerilla Theater June 1, 2007- Operation First Casualty Announced 1. What did the veterans do when they participated

in guerilla theater? 2. What was the purpose of this method of protest? 3. Is this effective?

Veterans and Medical Care Scandals

Treatment of Vietnam VeteransOur Forgotten Wounded: Life Magazine, May

22, 19701. What conditions do the veterans face at the Bronx

VA?2. Why are the conditions like this?

Treatment of Iraq/Afghanistan VeteransWalter Reed Scandal VideoWalter Reed Article1. What conditions do the veterans face at the Walter

Reed Medical Center buildings?

ConclusionBlowin' in the Wind- Bob Dylan1. Where can answers be found?2. What does this mean? Can the answers really be found

there? Can we try?

Possible Discussion Questions:Is military action necessary at times?Should people accept the fact that war is brutal?Should soldiers tell the stories that they told at the Winter

Soldier hearings?Should we have “rules” for war? How are the songs of each era similar? How are they different?Are protest songs an effective means of protest?How does each president, Johnson and Bush, justify their

policies and actions regarding each war?Was/Is one protest movement more successful than the other?The media is much more restricted today than in the Vietnam

era. How has that affected the current protests against the war? Should American civilians see these images or should they be restricted?