Tag - Vietnam Era

NJVVMF Hosts USMC Commissioning Ceremony

Written by Jillian Decker, Mike Thornton, and Matthew Agrusti, MIDN 1/C, USMCR

Last month, the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation was honored to host the Commissioning Ceremony for Midshipman First Class Matthew Agrusti. The Commissioning Ceremony serves to induct officers into their military service through the public recitation of the Oath of the Commissioned Officer.  Through this oath, cadets pledge their solemn duty to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Tracing its origins to service in Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, the wording of the oath has changed over the centuries, but the ideals inherent in the oath’s promise remain the same. The commissioning ceremony serves as the pivotal rite of passage in an officer’s career as they join the proud ranks of many of our nation’s finest leaders. Taken before an audience of family and friends, Commissioning Ceremonies are proud and deeply meaningful events in the lives of military personnel.

Agrusti chose the Memorial due to the Vietnam War’s significance to the United States Marine Corps:

The reason I chose to have my Commissioning Ceremony at the NJ Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial is because of the rich history that the Marine Corps has in that war. I think of people like Gunnery Sergeant John Canley or the fighting that happened at Hue City and am reminded of all the greatness that has come before me, and what I need to live up to in my career. Also, desiring to be a Marine Corps pilot, Vietnam started to see the more modern aircraft being used during the war. The Army Huey on the outside of the building was a beautiful addition to the memorial. On top of the rich history of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial is a beautiful place. The memorial on the outside, showing all of the men and woman from New Jersey who were killed in the War was very humbling and is a beautiful spot to reflect on what these people gave for our country. 

This experience meant so much to my family and friends. Everybody loved the venue and it was also relatable, many had friends or family serve in the Vietnam War. We are all very grateful for how well we were treated by the staff and for how much they helped us setting up the venue and giving a tour of the memorial. The veterans working at the memorial were a true testament to what it means to be a service member. It was very motivational to hear their stories and learn about the experiences they had in order to protect this nation. There could not have been a better place for this commissioning ceremony and I am forever grateful to the staff of the Vietnam Veteran’s memorial. 


The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation is honored to offer the Vietnam Era Museum to serve as the location of events honoring those who serve and have served in our armed forces, including Commissioning Ceremonies, military retirement ceremonies, meeting spaces for Veterans organizations, and more. For more information on hosting an event at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation’s Vietnam Era Museum, please contact Office Manager Gerry Appel at gappel@njvvmf.org or by calling 732.335.0033 x103.

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News & Views with NJVVMF’s Curator

By Mike Thornton, NJVVMF Curator of Collections & Interpretation

As You Were: Stephen Warner – Words & Images from Vietnam is on display now at the Vietnam Era Museum. Get your tickets today – https://njvvmf.ticketspice.com/tickets. 

Walking with Stephen Warner 

Stephen Warner exhibit inside the Vietnam Era Museum

Stephen Warner lived and practiced big ideals. An open critic of the war, Warner was drafted from Yale Law School in 1969 and was assigned as a writer and photographer for the Army Information Office in Vietnam.  He could have enjoyed relative safety, yet he consistently sought out combat units believing only through total immersion could he explain the trials of his generation. In doing so he recorded heartfelt observations of himself and the American soldier in Vietnam in 1970. 

Warner’s images are rich with telling details of the era. Men sport scruffy haircuts.  Love bead necklaces and paracord bracelets abound.  Most men wear an iteration of the ERDL pattern camouflage jacket, that slowly but never completely replaced standard-issue OD green fatigues. Looking closer, one also sees many men wear a single dog tag laced to their boot – a practice among combat soldiers born from the need to identify remains. 

In Vietnam, Warner’s work was censored. The haircuts stayed, but love beads and unit insignia were painted out. In our exhibition, visitors encounter 25 images as taken in the field by Warner. We do not know who these men are, but their individuality is immediate and earnest.  One soldier’s Boonie hat is embroidered “Linda.” Another’s helmet cover is graffitied “Illinois”, and boldly carved into the plastic stock of one soldier’s rifle we find “The Fugitive.”   

I’m left to wonder what Illinois or The Fugitive thought of Stephen as he briefly wandered in and out of their lives. I want to believe he made an impression. Soldiers like them certainly made an impression on him. Warner likened

Stephen Warner exhibit inside the Vietnam Era Museum

himself to WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle – who hated wars but loved the men who fight them.  In a letter written in January of 1971 Stephen wrote “…you asked me how I can be an optimist about humanity, well it’s because I’ve walked with Johnny and Joe and I’ve laid my life in their hands and have been richer for the experience.” Stephen Warner was killed in action a few weeks later, just shy of his 25th birthday.

As a curator, I deeply empathize with Stephen Warner’s commitment to preserving the humanity of his brothers in arms for both his generation and all those that followed. There is picture of Warner that hangs over my desk left by former curator Greg Waters. I have no intentions of taking it down any time soon.

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Field Notes from Vietnam: Chapter 6

By Museum Director, Greg Waters 

In February 2020, Museum Director Greg Waters spent just over two weeks traveling throughout the southern half of Vietnam. The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese remember and memorialize what they call the American War. Greg visited numerous museums and memorials as well as locations where important events occurred during the war.

Greg planned to continue traveling north to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, but the trip was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned home safely, with plans to get back to Hanoi as soon as possible when the time is right.

Chapter 6: Hue

Caption: The Perfume River

After leaving the Mekong Delta, I took a short plane ride to the coastal city of Da Nang and then traveled by car north to Hue. I arrived in Hue on a very hot and humid day, the sunshine beating down as the Perfume River flowed lazily towards the ocean a few miles to the northeast. 

Hue (pronounced hway) is an ancient city that dates back many centuries. It was the capital of the country from 1802-1945 and holds an important place in the region’s history. I wanted to visit the city because Hue was the site of one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. The Battle of Hue also marked the beginning of the Tet Offensive, a massive military campaign against the Americans and their allies orchestrated by the North Vietnamese Army and the Vietcong.

This series of coordinated surprise attacks, named after the Vietnamese new year celebration, began on January 30, 1968. They took place simultaneously across the country, catching American forces and their allies off guard. Several cities were taken over by enemy forces, including Hue, and the fight to take them back caused widespread damage and significant casualties.

Caption: Gate to the Imperial City

The Battle of Hue lasted over a month, with American forces and their allies finally retaking the city on March 2, 1968. Much of the city was destroyed as Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers fought door to door in brutal close-quarter combat. It is estimated that over 5,000 civilians were killed in the fighting along with a comparable number of enemy soldiers. 216 Americans lost their lives during the battle with another 1,584 wounded. 

Today the city is a popular tourist destination, with the oldest part of the city deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the city had changed much in the intervening 53 years since the Battle of Hue, there are still a few places where evidence of the war can still be found. The most obvious are the scars from bullets and explosions that damaged the walls surrounding the old city.

Caption: Remnants of the Battle of Hue

The Truong Tien Bridge was also heavily damaged during the battle and bullet holes can still be found in its steel support beams. This is juxtaposed against the nightly light displays that now light up the bridge in bright colors to attract tourists.

Another stark reminder of the war are the rusting American military vehicles on display in front of the local military history museum, similar to other museum displays found across the country.

One other place where the history of the war still echoes in Hue was the local tourist economy. It was a little disconcerting, if not surprising, to find several Vietnam War-themed bars and restaurants in Hue, including the very popular DMZ Bar (similar to another very popular bar in Saigon named Apocalypse Now). It seems that there is no collective sentimentality for the past, especially for such a difficult period of history. Life in Hue continues forward without looking back, like a river flowing to the sea.

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2021 Teacher of the Year: Jim Fagan

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.

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Field Notes from Vietnam: Chapter 5

By Museum Director, Greg Waters 

In February 2020, Museum Director Greg Waters spent just over two weeks traveling throughout the southern half of Vietnam. The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese remember and memorialize what they call the American War. Greg visited numerous museums and memorials as well as locations where important events occurred during the war.

Greg planned to continue traveling north to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, but the trip was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned home safely, with plans to get back to Hanoi as soon as possible when the time is right.

Chapter 5:  Into the Mekong

The Mekong River begins high in the Tibetan Plateau and winds its way through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and finally comes to an end nearly 3,000 miles later in southern Vietnam. As it nears the South China Sea it begins to stretch out like an open hand, creating the massive Mekong Delta that makes up much of the country south of Saigon. My trip into the delta was a slight detour as I was ultimately headed north but I wanted to experience this unique ecosystem where many important events took place during the Vietnam War. 

The Mekong Delta is the source of a large percentage of Vietnam’s agricultural production, including over half of the rice grown in the country. During the war, the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong relied on the region for food production as well as important transportation routes that allowed them to resupply their troops. The unique realities of life in the delta required the United States military to adapt to the environment as the tactics used farther north in the country were ineffective. The brown-water navy, for example, patrolled the marshes, swamps, canals, and rivers in the region on boats as foot patrols were unable to operate effectively. Several large operations took place in the Mekong, including Operation Market Time and Operation Game Warden, and the experiences of the soldiers who fought here were much different from those who served elsewhere in the country. 

My destination in the delta was a small lodge several miles outside of Can Tho, the region’s capital. Can Tho is a thriving city with an airport and growing downtown along the river. Large hotels with restaurants and spas cater to tourists visiting the region. I decided, however, that I wanted to experience the river from a closer perspective. My accommodations at the lodge consisted of a bamboo hut with a thatched roof and three walls. The fourth wall was open to the delta, with a small branch of the Mekong River running just outside.

Full moon over the Mekong Delta

It was hot and humid and the air conditioning consisted of the occasional river breeze. The delta is known for its incredible diversity of flora and fauna and I was able to observe many examples of both during my stay; the frogs sang while the mosquitoes and gnats and dragonflies and other unidentified insects flitted around, especially as I slept, and bats darted around my river hut as a fell asleep each night.

Despite the rustic nature of my accommodations I slept better in the Mekong, lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river and the cacophony of nature than I did in any of the actual hotels I stayed in elsewhere on my trip.

I arose at four in the morning during my second day in the delta to take a boat tour of the surrounding area. Our group traveled in sleepy silence as low hanging clouds drifted past and the full moon reflected off the calm water. After a few minutes, we joined the main branch of the Mekong River and I was able to fully appreciate just how large this waterway truly is.

The Cai Rang Floating Market

The sun began to rise as we traveled down the middle of the river, both banks were lined with homes and businesses that were already bustling in the early morning. Fishing boats were already hard at work, coming and going. Other boats, weighed down with fruits and vegetables and other goods, were headed to various markets in the area. As the sun came up, the colors of the delta came to life. The muddy brown water and the bluest of skies, accentuated with occasional puffy clouds, contrasted with the deep green jungle and the fishing boats painted in bright colors. 

Our destination was the Cai Rang Floating Market. Locals have been traveling to this spot on the river for many decades to buy and sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and a wide array of other goods. The river was dotted with boats of various sizes. Many of the larger vessels were anchored in place and open for business. The numerous smaller boats seemed to never stop moving as they navigated the frenetic marketplace. A small boat with a single occupant came up alongside ours and I realized that he brought with him a mobile coffee shop. We enjoyed observing the busy market, trying to make sense of who was buying and who was selling.

Breakfast on the river

We then traveled farther upriver to a much smaller market with far fewer tourists and more locals. Here we were met by a small elderly woman rowing a boat that contained a small restaurant. She passed us steaming bowls of Pho, a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and chicken that is traditionally eaten for breakfast in Vietnam. It was a remarkable meal, made even more memorable as I ate it while sitting on a boat in the middle of the Mekong River. 

My time in the Mekong was limited but I greatly enjoyed learning about this unique place. As is the case with all of Vietnam, changes are coming to the region that will most likely alter the landscape and the environment in many ways. During the Vietnam War, for example, few roads existed in the region, and the only way to reach many places in the delta was by boat. The river was in many cases the only way to transport people and goods in the region. New highways and roads are beginning to crisscross the landscape and connect previously inaccessible places to the outside world. Bridges are being built over rivers that were previously impassable by car. Commerce is being altered as the river markets that have been a pillar of the local economy are now shrinking as goods are shipped overland.

The past and future meet on the Mekong

It was interesting to see the number of tourist boats like mine that were visiting the markets. It seems that one of the main purposes of the modern river markets is to give tourists a glimpse into how life in the delta used to be. These markets may continue on as a kind of living museum, as long as tourist dollars make it worthwhile. All of Vietnam seems to be dealing with this form of rapid expansion and change. It’s hard to determine if these changes are good or bad – perhaps they are a little of both. 

Next Chapter: My Lai

 

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26th Annual Golf Tournament Recap

By Jillian Decker, Director of Development 

Winning team led by Vietnam Veteran Gordon Pingicer, pictured here with teammates Alex and Andrew Burke. Not pictured: Tim Liston.

Thank you to everyone involved for making our 26th Annual Golf Tournament the most successful outing yet! 

We were fortunate to have a beautiful – although hot! – day at Eagle Oaks. It was great to see so many of you come out to support the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation.

The results are in! Congratulations to our winners:

Longest Drive – Women – Wins: 3 Day/2 Night Vacation Getaway
Cathy Konner 

Longest Drive – Men – Wins: 3 Day/2 Night Vacation Getaway
Darren Rice

Closest to the Pin – Hole 5 – Wins: 3 Day/2 Night Vacation Getaway
Claudine Callison

Closest to the Pin – Hole 8 – Wins: Foursome at Eagle Oaks
Dave Rible

Closest to the Pin – Hole 11 – Wins: Golf/Spa Getaway
Nick Asselta

Closest to the Pin – Hole 16 – Wins: 3 Day/2 Night Vacation Getaway
Keith Klemmer

Third Place – Wins $100 Eagle Oaks Pro Shop Credit Each
George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust Foursome:
Steve Wayne, Jason Silver, Mike Grasso, & Ralph Barnett

Second Place – Wins $150 Eagle Oaks Pro Shop Credit Each
UTCA New Jersey Foursome:
Dave Rible, Rob Nixon, John Rible IV, & Matt DeBonis

First Place – Wins $200 Eagle Oaks Pro Shop Credit Each and Names Added to the Edward Eget Memorial Trophy
Gordon Pingicer, Tim Liston, Alex Burke, Andrew Burke

Thank you again for your participation and support! We hope you enjoyed your day with us, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

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Field Notes from Vietnam: Chapter 4

By Museum Director, Greg Waters 

In February 2020, Museum Director Greg Waters spent just over two weeks traveling throughout the southern half of Vietnam. The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese remember and memorialize what they call the American War. Greg visited numerous museums and memorials as well as locations where important events occurred during the war.

Greg planned to continue traveling north to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, but the trip was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned home safely, with plans to get back to Hanoi as soon as possible, when the time is right.

Chapter 4: A Rooftop in Saigon

I set out on the morning of my last day in Saigon on a mission to visit one of the most iconic spots in American history: 22 Gia Long Street.

22 Gia Long Street, taken from across the street

American combat troops were ordered out of Vietnam in 1973, but the war continued on for another two years as northern forces made their way south to reclaim the entire country. They reached Saigon, the southern capital, in April of 1975. By this time the vast majority of Americans had already been evacuated, but an estimated 1,000 civilians, military advisors, and journalists remained in the city.

In addition, thousands of Vietnamese citizens who had allied with the Americans were now in danger. As northern forces approached the city, they began shelling strategic locations, including the airport. Extensive damage to the runways made the previously planned mass evacuation by plane impossible. The remaining Americans and their Vietnamese allies made their way to various predetermined rooftops throughout the city to be evacuated to safety by helicopter as northern forces began to take control of the city.

During the war, 22 Gia Long Street was the address of the Pittman Apartments, home to Americans working for the CIA and other government agencies. In 1975 it was designated as one of the locations for the helicopter evacuation due to its location and the unique design of its roof. On April 29, a Dutch journalist named Hubert Van Es was working in a nearby building when a colleague told him that a helicopter was landing on the rooftop. He quickly pulled out his camera and documented this critical moment in the evacuation and in the war itself. The photographs that he took that day have become some of the most powerful images of the Vietnam War.

Hubert Van Es’s famous photograph, April 29, 1975

The day after the evacuation, the North Vietnamese Army invaded the city. In a moment of intense symbolism, a North Vietnamese tank drove through the front gates of the presidential palace — a moment that marked the official end of the Vietnam War.

I had heard that it was possible to visit the rooftop, now a residential apartment building, by offering the security guard in the lobby a small monetary incentive to use the elevator. I managed to find the address and walked inside.

Thankfully, the young man on duty that day knew why I was there; he quickly pulled out his phone and pulled up the famous photo and pointed upwards toward the roof. I nodded in agreement, and he told me the price of admission: 50,000 Vietnamese Dong. Having only recently arrived in the country, I was still a novice at converting their currency to mine. I was initially shocked at the price, but, after some quick math, I realized that he was asking for $2.13. I happily paid him, and he led me to the elevator, hit the button for the ninth floor, and walked away. After a short elevator ride later, I stepped outside into a place frozen in time.

The rooftop today

There was something eerie about being on the rooftop. Very little has changed since the photograph was taken 45 years ago, but the place is now layered with symbolism. For the Vietnamese victors, the rooftop symbolizes the final retreat of the most powerful military force on earth. It also is the place where the Vietnam War came to an end and the reunification of North and South Vietnam began. In many ways, modern Vietnamese history began here.

For Americans, this place and the famous photograph represent the futility of American involvement in Vietnam. Over 58,000 American soldiers lost their lives in a project that ultimately culminated in a panicked evacuation from this Saigon rooftop.

In yet another reminder that the march of progress never ceases, 22 Gia Long Street has become an extremely valuable piece of real estate in modern Saigon. Surrounded by several glass skyscrapers, it is likely going to be torn down in the near future to make way for whatever comes next. I feel lucky that I was able to visit the spot before it’s lost forever.

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NJVVMF Director of Development Awarded Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Designation

By CFRE International

NJVVMF Director of Development Jillian Decker

CFRE International has named Jillian E. Decker as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Jillian E. Decker, Director of Development for the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, joins over 6,900 professionals around the world who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states CFRE International President and CEO Eva E. Aldrich, Ph.D., CAE, (CFRE 2001-2016). “As the certification is a voluntary achievement, the CFRE certification demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Miss Decker to the fundraising profession and the donors who are served.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. To maintain certification status, certificants must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFREs know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

The CFRE certification signifies a confident, ethical fundraising professional.

Since 1981, CFRE has set standards for fundraising professionals. As the only globally recognized fundraising certification, CFRE indicates professionalism, confidence, and ethics. It is how today’s fundraiser shows accountability, service, and commitment to making a difference for good. The CFRE certification program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and is the only accredited certification for fundraising professionals.

As the premier global credential for career fundraisers, the CFRE designation is endorsed and supported by the world’s leading professional and philanthropic associations.

CFRE International congratulates Jillian Decker for achieving the CFRE designation.

For more information please visit www.cfre.org or call +1 703.820.5555.

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Field Notes from Vietnam: Chapter 3

By Museum Director, Greg Waters 

In February 2020, Museum Director Greg Waters spent just over two weeks traveling throughout the southern half of Vietnam. The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese remember and memorialize what they call the American War. Greg visited numerous museums and memorials as well as locations where important events occurred during the war.

Greg planned to continue traveling north to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, but the trip was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned home safely, with plans to get back to Hanoi as soon as possible, when the time is right.

Chapter 3: The Tunnels at Cu Chi

96 degrees. Stifling jungle humidity. 10 feet underground. Claustrophobia begins to set in as I crawl forward on my hands and knees through the near total darkness, inching my way towards the harsh light of a single exposed lightbulb far off in the distance.

What remains of a Huey Helicopter at the entrance to the Cu Chi Tunnels

My shoulders are wide enough to brush up against both walls of the tunnel, and I have already hit my head on the roof several times as a crawl. I am thankful for the light, knowing that such a convenience wasn’t enjoyed by the men that navigated these tunnels during the war. Eventually I make my way to the far end and find that the path takes a sudden turn upwards. Craning my neck to look up, I see a framed rectangle of trees and sky – my escape hatch back to the surface.

About an hour drive from downtown Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast network of underground passageways that were created by the Vietcong and used extensively during the war. These narrow corridors allowed Vietcong soldiers to avoid American patrols and air support while also giving them a place to store weapons, food, and other supplies.

Well camouflaged entrances allowed the Vietcong to launch surprise attacks on American soldiers and then quickly disappear, seemingly into thin air. There were hundreds of miles of these tunnels throughout Vietnam during the war. Some of the larger tunnels were used as meeting areas, kitchens, and hospitals, complete with ventilation shafts and multiple entrances.

Upon arriving at the tunnel complex you are met with a collection of abandoned American military vehicles; a Huey helicopter in disrepair; an armored personnel carrier scarred with the marks of major explosions; a tank with its treads blown off. Perhaps most surprising of all, a large cargo plane dominates the space, parked there long enough for several large trees to grow up around it, trapping it in place.

Camouflaged entrance to the Tunnels

After watching a short video about the history of the tunnels, we were led to a small opening in the jungle floor. During the war, American soldiers and Marines would occasionally discover tunnel entrances like this one and would be forced to decide what to do next. They could destroy the tunnels with explosives but would then lose the opportunity to gather intelligence or capture prisoners.

The other option – entering the tunnels – was full of unique challenges. The tunnels were designed to accommodate a Vietnamese man, on average much smaller than an average American. There was also no light underground and little room to defend yourself. The solution was often to send in the smallest soldier available, armed with just a flashlight and a pistol. These brave men became known as tunnel rats and they were some of the most respected soldiers that served in Vietnam.

Tunnel entrance from below

The Cu Chi Tunnels are now a major attraction for travelers with several companies offering day trips from Saigon. I spent several hours exploring the tunnel complex with a guide and several other travelers. Our guide was recruited as a young man to join the South Vietnamese Army as a translator. He was sent to language school where he learned English and spent the rest of the war working with the United States Army at Long Binh. After the war, he was sent to a re-education camp for five years. He was a larger-than-life character who shared personal stories of his life during the war and his fond memories of working alongside his American allies. 

Underground

The most surreal aspect of my day exploring the tunnels at Cu Chi was the occasional sound of gunfire in the near distance. While the Vietnamese certainly use the tunnels to share their country’s history with visitors, they have also found creative ways to make money in the process. Next to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a firing range where tourists can shoot a wide variety of firearms, including M16s and AK-47s , weapons that were used extensively during the war.

Our tour guide and former translator for the American military

Our group stopped by the range after visiting the tunnels, and several members of our group excitedly exchanged their money for bullets. I had no desire to participate and found the whole concept of the shooting range somewhat jarring. Perhaps I spend too much time thinking about the Vietnam War and its impact on the histories of both the United States and Vietnam, but hearing automatic weapon fire in the place where thousands of soldiers fought and died brought me none of the joy or excitement that it seemingly did for my fellow tourists.

Next Chapter: A Rooftop in Saigon

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Field Notes from Vietnam: Chapter 2

By Museum Director, Greg Waters 

In February 2020, Museum Director Greg Waters spent just over two weeks traveling throughout the southern half of Vietnam. The goal of the trip was to gain a better understanding of how the Vietnamese remember and memorialize what they call the American War. Greg visited numerous museums and memorials as well as locations where important events occurred during the war.

Greg planned to continue traveling north to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, but the trip was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned home safely, with plans to get back to Hanoi as soon as possible, when the time is right.

Chapter 2: The War Permeates

Please note: this blog contains graphic historical images 

American helicopter in front of War Remnants Museum in Saigon

Much has changed in Saigon since the war ended and the city fell to the North Vietnamese in 1975. Notably, the city’s population has seen incredible growth, from just over 2 million residents during the war to an estimated 12 million today. In recent years, the economy has also boomed, making Vietnam a model of progress in Southeast Asia. This influx of international business and new wealth has led to major changes to the urban environment.

Many of the buildings in the downtown area that witnessed the war are being drastically renovated or torn down completely to accommodate new skyscrapers that dot the skyline. This sense of progress and focus on the future is reflected by the demographics of the country – 70 percent of Vietnam’s population is under the age of 35. This incredible postwar population boom has left only a small minority of citizens who experienced the war firsthand.

I spent three days in Saigon, exploring the city and seeking out places where the Vietnam War and its impact could still be seen and felt. Most of my time was spent in District 1, the oldest part of the city and home to several places with a direct connection to the war: the site of the American Embassy, which was attacked during the Tet Offensive in 1968; The Hotel Continental, where international journalists would congregate, drink, and share stories; and the Independence Palace, the home of the president of South Vietnam during the war and the place where North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates in 1975.

Also located in District 1 is the War Remnants Museum, where the narrative of the war as told by the Vietnamese government is on display. All of these sites are popular stops for tourists visiting the city.

War Remnants Museum

Scattered throughout District 1, and other sites across the country, you will find American military vehicles that were either captured or left behind when the war ended. Planes, tanks, helicopters, jeeps, trucks, and other equipment in various states of disrepair are on display as war trophies, their presence symbolizing the power of the North Vietnamese in the fight against the American invaders.

The largest collection of American military vehicles in Saigon is parked in front of the War Remnants Museum, comprising three floors of exhibits documenting the official narrative of the war as told by the Vietnamese government. Their version of what happened is a David versus Goliath story that focuses heavily on the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people to overcome the impossible odds of fighting a war against the most powerful military on earth.

The museum also focuses heavily on darker aspects of the war, with galleries dedicated to war crimes committed by American soldiers and the lasting impact that Agent Orange has had on the country’s landscape and health of its citizens.

Thich Quang Duc Memorial

Perhaps the most striking place that I visited in Saigon was a small park next to a busy intersection in the middle of downtown. Here you will find a large sculpture of a man in Buddhist robes, sitting peacefully on the ground in a meditative pose while engulfed in flames.

It marks the spot where, in 1963, a Buddhist monk named Thích Quang Duc set himself on fire to protest the treatment of Buddhists under the South Vietnamese government. This extreme act of dedication to a cause, and his eerily calm demeanor while being burned alive, became an international news story. The moment was documented by American journalist and photographer Malcolm Browne who later received the Pulitzer Prize for his photographs taken that day.

Thich Quang Duc

Another fascinating place I visited was located a short walk from the city center. The Dan Sinh Market is a huge warehouse filled with endless stalls of vendors selling mostly industrial equipment, tools, and hardware. Throughout the market, however, you will find many vendors hawking artifacts related to the war: dog tags, helmets, uniforms, patches, weapons, and other types of military artifacts that can be purchased. The truth, however, is that nearly all of the items being sold here are modern reproductions, but their presence offers an interesting glimpse into both the past and future of Vietnam.

The Vietnam War lasted over a decade but took place within a much larger history of warfare in Vietnam that both preceded and followed it. By the time that the American military left in the early 1970s, Vietnam faced an extremely long road to social and economic recovery. Nearly everything that was left behind by the Americans and their allies was quickly scrapped or repurposed as part of this recovery effort.

Then, in 1995, the United States government normalized relations with Vietnam, and, for the first time since the war ended, Americans were welcomed back to the country as tourists. The first waves of American visitors included those interested in the history of the war and authentic war relics were quickly bought up.

Reproduction military police helmet for sale at Dan Sinh Market

The Vietnamese, being well versed in the finer points of capitalism, quickly realized that visitors were interested in taking home their own relic souvenirs. The result is Dan Sinh and other markets like it, that sold items related to the war. During my visit, I watched a young Vietnamese man in one of the stalls take a cheap reproduction of an American Army helmet and very carefully paint a large white “MP” on both sides, mimicking those worn by military policemen during the war.

My time in Saigon went by in a colorful blur. I visited many of the major historic sites and museums, and I met some wonderful people who shared their personal stories with me. The city is in the midst of an exciting chapter of growth and prosperity, but the lasting effects of the Vietnam War, while slowly fading with time, can still be seen and felt in the city — if you know where to look.

Coming Soon: a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels

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