Tag - history teacher

Recognizing Excellence in the Field of Education:
Jim Fagan Named 2021 Teacher of the Year

Since 2018, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation has recognized one teacher from the State of New Jersey who has made valuable contributions to the study and teaching of the Vietnam War Era. The Foundation seeks to celebrate and show appreciation to our long-time network of educators that has made teaching this complex history a priority. 

Q&A with Jim Fagan

Why is this era so important to teach? 

I think that this era is so important to teach because it contains so many levels and viewpoints. The Vietnam Era is not simply about the fighting in Vietnam, but also fits into the larger narrative of the Civil Rights Movements, the Cold War, and even Watergate. This era can also be studied from many different viewpoints. Meaning one can look at the historical context, as well as the psychological and sociological views.

This era is also important because there are still many lessons that can be learned from it and still even more stories that have not been fully told. The Vietnam Era encompasses many shifts in American history, and to fully understand our history, one must understand those shifts.

What does bringing students to the NJVVMF add to your classrooms? What are the major takeaways students leave with? 

Bringing students to NJVVMF provides the students with an opportunity to see many different primary sources and to hear from the people who were actually there, as opposed to hearing it from their teacher. The students have a far greater appreciation when hearing these first-hand stories as it greatly personalizing the experience for them. They are often taken aback when they hear how young the men were when they were in Vietnam. Also, they gain a better understanding of the toll that the war had.

Military history is an important piece in your classroom – why is it so important? 

Military history is important because it helps to tell the full story of a country and the experiences. It should also instill a sense of not only pride but also an appreciation for all that we have. This comes from understanding the sacrifices that have been and are still being made, and to see that there are some things that are bigger than one individual.

You run the History Club at Manasquan High School- what do students gain from participation in this club? 

The students in the history club are afforded the opportunity to learn about history in different ways. We try to take at least two field trips a year and perform community service for different organizations. We have guest speakers and host the annual Vietnam Veterans Day at the school. This year the students are all doing presentations on different topics that are of interest to them.

Local and oral histories are important. How do you tell the story of New Jersey history in the classroom and from the perspective of people who lived it? 

Local and oral history is extremely important because it helps students form a connection to different events. It is often difficult to fully grasp history unless one can actually see or hear evidence of it.

One way that I do this is by finding people that can tell those stories or taking students to those places. The students are often amazed to find out how much there is so close to them.

What is your favorite song of the Vietnam Era? 

My favorite Vietnam Era song to use in class is County Joe and the Fish’s “I Fell Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag”. I find that this song is extremely complex when fully analyzed including the music itself, the lyrics, and even Joe McDonald’s military career. I also enjoy Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction” because it hits upon not only Vietnam but also all of the other events that were going on in society. Therefore, it creates a full picture of the time period.

While not a Vietnam Era song, I will also mention Alice in Chain’s “Rooster”, which is about Jerry Cantrell Sr.’s (Jerry Cantrell Jr. is the guitarist/vocalist in Alice in Chains) time in Vietnam. The lyrics provide a rather in-depth look at the viewpoint of a soldier at the time. I also like that you have a grunge band finding its way to teach history.

What can students learn from the Vietnam Era? 

To answer this question, I have attached a document titled “What Should We Tell Our Children About Vietnam”. It is an article from American Heritage magazine from 1987. A history teacher decided to do a project where he contacted different people who were major players during the era. The article has their responses.

I included this because I am not entirely sure that it is my place to say what students can learn from the era, as I was not there. It is far better that those who were there share their lessons and experiences.

With that said, I do not want to completely punt on answering this question. One major thing that can be learned is perspective. This era means a lot of different things to different people. It is important that all of those sides are explored and heard. Students should also learn that the way that history is studied evolves over time and that it is important to continue to look at different eras to see what new lessons can be learned.

In light of teaching during COVID, what do you think students can learn as they are literally living through history? 

During my first year teaching, I had one of my dad’s childhood friends come in and speak to my classes. Dennis Caddigan, who has since passed away, was a Vietnam Vet. During his first mission, a grenade went off in his face and he was left holding his eyes in his hands. He started his talk by saying that he was a living primary source and that he was going to talk about what it was like to be coming of age in the mid-60s and into the early 70s. He then said to the students that all of them were primary sources and that one day someone will ask them what it was like to be alive through certain events.

COVID has provided that opportunity to students today. One day they will be asked what it was like. How did it change their lives? How did you make them make it through and pass their time? My hope is that the students understand that and appreciate that these are historic times and that lessons can be learned and stories should be told.

The NJVVMF Teacher of the Year Committee is always looking for nominations from colleagues, administrators, and community members. If you know of a teacher that is making important contributions to the teaching of the Vietnam Era, please send their name, school district, and a little bit about why they should be nominated to Keri A. Giannotti at kgiannotti@njvvmf.org for consideration by the committee.

By Keri A. Giannotti, Museum Educator

The Operation Babylift 45th Anniversary event was regrettably canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Below are remarks from our co-sponsors, Lana Noone and Steve Hartmann, who were involved in the planning of the event. 

Lana Noone, the principal organizer of the event and adoptive mother of Jeannie Noone remembers the event: 

My husband Byron and I got involved in Operation Babylift when we began the process to adopt a baby from Vietnam in late autumn 1974.  We didn’t know we’d be caught up in history. Our adoption was approved in February 1975, and we were told there was a nine-month wait for our baby to arrive. As the Viet Cong started to move South, the country of South Vietnam became smaller each day. In February and March of 1975, we were told the babies would not be evacuated due to the dangerous situation. Then, Ed Daly, president of World Airways, evacuated 57 Vietnamese War orphans in late March 1975.

Painting of Lana and Heather on her homecoming day

The plane landed in Oakland, California on April 2, 1975, and it was as though the entire United States took notice that day. There was a terrible tragedy unfolding in Vietnam, yet here were 57 war orphans going to their forever families who were awaiting them with open arms. President Gerald R. Ford, who was an adoptee, authorized Operation Babylift.  Twenty-six flights and 2,548 orphans in total came to the United States in April 1975. To my knowledge, my husband and I were the only family to adopt two non-siblings from Operation Babylift.

Our daughter, Heather Constance Noone, was evacuated on April 5th and was hospitalized three times while en route due to pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. She arrived at JFK on April 23, 1975. She was very ill and hospitalized here on April 29, 1975 — the final day of the war. I watched the Fall of Saigon from her hospital room. Sadly, our daughter died on May 17, 1975 at 4:30 p.m. EST. When Heather died, three babies remained hospitalized in Denver, Colorado. Our daughter Jennifer Nguyen Noone was the final baby placed from Operation Babylift on June 7, 1975. Two days before Heather’s death, I sat in her hospital room knowing that the end was near. I promised her that I would never let Babylift be forgotten and that her short life would not be in vain.

The cover of Lana’s book, Global Mom

I had no clue what to do, but over the years I’ve been very fortunate to help reunite families, co-author a first-ever Babylift Play, Children of the April Rain, and write my own book, Global Mom: Notes from a Pioneer adoptive Family. With the help of Vietnam Veteran Charlie Wilber, I helped create the Vietnambabylift.org website. Our goal is to reunite all the threads of the Vietnam babylift and to recognize the unsung heroes who implemented this extraordinary humanitarian effort — one of the greatest humanitarian events of the 20th century.

The Vietnam babylift changed the complexion of the United States. Prior to Operation Babylift, international adoption was very sparse. Today, international adoption is part of the fabric of the United States. As an adoptive mom, I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had to be a mother and now grandmother.  My husband and I adopted our son Jason Paik Noone from South Korea, and I’m now a grandma to two extraordinary grandchildren, Heather and Jayden.

Lana with her grandson at the Vietnam Babylift program at the American Airpower Museum

Sister Marie Therese LeBlanc, a nun with Immaculate Heart of Mary in Michigan, assisted with orphans in Vietnam and Operation Babylift. Sister Cherie Clark and Ross Meador are the only Vietnam babylift participants who were evacuated twice. They were evacuated in mid-April and returned to Vietnam to help with the remainder of the orphans. Sister LeBlanc spoke to the adoptees at a Babylift program at the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., and said to the adoptees, “You are the survivors. You survived the war and tremendous upheaval. Always remember that. You survived.”

Steve Hartmann is a singer/songwriter who was going to sing his song “You Are” at the 45th Anniversary event. You can listen to the song at his website, https://stevehartmannmusic.com/. 

I was born in Dalat, Vietnam towards the end of the war and adopted and raised outside of Philadelphia. I’ve always wondered if the people that helped me get to the United States knew just how much they helped me. I’ve wondered if they ever asked themselves if their sacrifices made any real difference.

I grew up never knowing the answer to so many questions  — where I was from and if I still have family there, my medical and family history, who do I look like more —  mom or dad, if I am 100 percent Vietnamese, and more. As I grew older, these unanswered questions became more frequent, especially when I had a son of my own.

As much as they will always linger, I’ve come to terms with the unanswered questions as much as I can. I find peace in knowing that with all I don’t know, I know that I’ve been given a chance not many have had — a life that may not have been if not for the efforts of so many. Not having any real answers for my son is difficult, but we show him love, laughter, compassion, manners, and hard work.

For those brave men and women that served during such an impossible time in our world’s history, and for anyone that’s doubted their worth or impact, I wanted to put something out there in the hopes that one, some, or many may hear it and find some sense of peace. It’s the only way I know how to say thank you to everyone that’s sacrificed so much to give me a chance. I hope this reaches anyone that may wonder — even doubt at times — their impact and come to find that you are loved, seen, heard, felt, appreciated, and matter.

By Keri A. Giannotti, Museum Educator

Due to the public health concern presented by the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial regrettably canceled the planned 45th Anniversary Commemoration of Operation Babylift. However, it is fitting to reflect on this little known story of the Vietnam War. 

As the war was coming to an end in South Vietnam, President Gerald Ford ordered the evacuation of Vietnamese orphans from Saigon as the North Vietnamese offensive was looming. This mission, officially named “Operation Babylift”, began this month on April 4. During this time, over 3,000 orphans were evacuated and brought to the United States, where they were later adopted to American families throughout the country.

Source: the Gerald Ford Presidential Library A3854-04A

At the evacuation’s height — April 20-28, 1975 — about 40 planes left Saigon every 24 hours, according to the Gerald Ford Presidential Library. These aircrafts, designed to transport no more than 100 passengers, carried in excess of 180 evacuees, according to the Library.

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial was honored to be selected as the site of this event to help in remembering these stories. We look forward to an event in the future, and would love to include your personal stories from Operation Babylift. To share, please email our Museum Educator, Keri A. Giannotti at kgiannotti@njvvmf.org. 

We would like to extend our appreciation to our co-sponsors who were involved in the planning of the event and include some remarks on their behalf. Read their stories HERE. 

Recognizing Excellence in the Field of Education:
Rebecca DiBrienza Named 2020 Teacher of the Year

By Keri A. Giannotti, Museum Educator

Since 2018, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation has recognized one teacher from the State of New Jersey who has made valuable contributions to the study and teaching of the Vietnam War Era. The Foundation seeks to celebrate and show appreciation to our long-time network of educators that has made teaching this complex history a priority. 

Rebecca DiBrienza was selected by the Teacher of the Year Committee, consisting of staff, board members, and volunteers, for her work teaching the era and for her multiple collaborations with the Foundation. “As a lifelong learner and self-professed history nerd, I’m thankful that organizations like the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation exist to keep my passion for history alive and consistently provide fresh new ideas to think about,” Rebecca said when she was informed she would be the honoree this year. 

Rebecca has been an educator for 10  years and an avid music fan for 32 years. She has been able to incorporate her love of music into her Social Studies classroom at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School.  Rebecca has developed a unique approach to teaching U.S. History through song, by which students in her classes learn about fundamental genres of American music, what they sound like, what inspired them, and how technology has helped music evolve. Each unit is accompanied by a playlist and a “song of the week” as a valuable primary source that relates to the content and helps convey to the students the context of a given time period. She has found that this stimulates discussion, sharpens analytical thinking skills, increases student engagement, and creates a love for the social studies. 

“I feel so fortunate that I can infuse my professional life with the things I love! Music is also an excellent way to learn about the past— how people felt about the world they were living in, their opinions and struggles, their tastes, and what they taught was fun. It’s both material culture and non-material culture, so as a historian, it really helps me understand an era.”

NJVVMF Museum Director Greg Waters with Rebecca DiBrienza.

When planning for our Special Exhibit, “Soundtrack of a Changing Nation: The Music of the Vietnam Era,” Rebecca served as a consultant in curating the exhibit and preparing educational materials to accompany it. She worked with our Museum Director Greg Waters to source artifacts from local archives, including the Bruce Springsteen Archive at Monmouth University, and writing captions. She worked with our Museum Educator to create three lesson plans that include the music of the era and various war-related topics for each level: Elementary, Middle, and High School. She viewed this as a way of mentoring other teachers and encouraging them to bring music into the classroom. She has presented at multiple conferences, including the New Jersey Council for Social Studies Annual Conferences, to share her extensive knowledge and talents. When asked what her favorite song of or related to the Vietnam Era, her response was “Born in the USA” by New Jersey Native Bruce Springsteen “because it captures the pain and the struggle of returning Veterans, and it got Americans thinking about whether or not we’re keeping our promise to them.”

Her 100-plus students tour the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial annually as a planned school field trip. Rebecca’s favorite thing about the trip is the personal touch that every Veteran Tour Guide provides. Their time and attention allow students to ask questions freely, build empathy for the challenges American servicemen experience, and gain ideas for the oral history project they conduct at the end of the year. This aligns with why Rebecca believes this era is important. In her own words “it allows students to put human faces and individual stories and experiences into the context of a larger global conflict”. 

Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2017, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to study the German educational system, particularly the ways in which they commmeorate the vicitims of the Holocaust, teach students the importance of human rights, and create vocational porgrams that lead to gainful empoyment. She is an avid “teacher traveler” and has participated in multiple professional development experiences, including those with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the USS Midway. 

For more information on how to register for the 20th Annual Interdisciplinary Forum, please visit http://www.njvvmf.org/event/annual-educator-forum/

The NJVVMF Teacher of the Year Committee is always looking for nominations from colleagues, administrators, and community members. If you know of a teacher that is making important contributions to the teaching of the Vietnam Era, please send their name, school district, and a little bit about why they should be nominated to Keri A. Giannotti at kgiannotti@njvvmf.org for consideration by the committee.