Jill Carlson-Maehren shared the following article about a speaker that visited the 7th grade LA classes on December 18th:
Students in Mrs. Crego’s and Mrs. Carlson-Corrigan's 7th grade Language Arts classes at FIS were captivated by a special guest speaker, a local Vietnam War Veteran, Duane Walter. On December 18, 2024. The visit provided a unique opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the war's historical and personal impact through the eyes of someone who lived it.
Mr. Walter, a medic Specialist #5 Veteran who served in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967, shared stories of his time in the military and offered insights into the challenges faced by soldiers during the war. These included the unforgiving climate—hot and humid conditions, monsoons, and muddy jungle terrain—as well as, the rice paddies inhabited by poisonous snakes. He also described the nightly incoming mortar attacks from the Vietcong and the deadly use of Agent Orange. His presentation included answering student-generated questions that focused on his background, service, personal experiences as a medic, challenges and reflections, daily life during the war, and the transition back to civilian life.
As part of the presentation, Mr. Walter also brought personal artifacts, including several photographs. One featured a medevac helicopter, called a Huey, that he rode on to quickly evacuate the wounded from the field. Another depicted him standing beside an armored personnel carrier—a bullet-proof vehicle used to transport wounded soldiers. The students also learned about a Deuce and a Half truck, which Mr. Walter drove to haul supplies, and saw an image of the hospital tent on the compound where he was stationed in C? Chi.
He displayed a medic armband he sometimes wore in the field, explained the tags he filled out and tied to wounded soldiers, uniform patches with their meanings, his dog tags, a medical kit, and a mess kit. He explained that soldiers in the field ate C-rations, including Spam, pudding, crackers, and beans. Students gained a vivid understanding of daily life through descriptions of the mess hall and meals—with spaghetti and meatballs and Thanksgiving turkey being particular highlights.
Mr. Walter proudly held up a Vietnam Veteran’s hat, explaining the meaning behind each ribbon color. He wore a shirt representing POWs still unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, with their names written on the back. With the message, they will never be forgotten. These items helped students visualize the realities of life in Vietnam and the emotional toll it took on soldiers.
Mr. Walter emphasized the importance of young people understanding not just the history of the war, but also the human stories behind it. By sharing his experiences, he hoped to give students a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many.
The presentation tied directly into the students’ Language Arts curriculum, which focused on a story by Gary Paulsen about a boy’s father struggling with PTSD from his experiences in the Vietnam War. Both teachers and students agreed that the visit was an invaluable educational experience. Hearing Mr. Walter’s story allowed the students to connect their lessons to a real person’s experience, bringing history to life in a way textbooks cannot.
Mr. Walter concluded his presentation with a message of hope, playing and singing a song he wrote to encourage students to learn from the past and work toward a future of peace and understanding. This memorable visit served as a poignant reminder of the power of personal storytelling in bridging the gap between history and the present day.
In the photos, Mr. Walter explained what the different colors on a Vietnam hat symbolize. He showed his medic field bag, and he closed his presentation with a song of hope. Thank you for coming, Mr. Walter. This is a visit the students will always remember!
