These are the stories of your friends and neighbors from Illinois who served in the Vietnam War, opposed it or became refugees because of the war. Their stories and experiences are often hidden. We hope this series will inspire intergenerational dialogue and reveal the harshest realities of war as well as journeys of survival and recovery.
Stories for “Still Here: Vietnam War Stories from Illinois,” were created from WILL’s oral history archive of interviews of Illinois residents who served in the Vietnam War, opposed the war or became war refugees. WILL collaborated with the oral history department at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, WSIU, WTVP and the Multimedia Reporting class in the Department of Journalism at the University of Illinois in the collection of these oral histories. We thank our partners for their work.
Still Here: Vietnam War Stories from Illinois weaves together first-hand accounts of combat veterans, war resisters and refugees to reveal the harsh realities of war as well as journeys of survival and recovery. 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award - News Documentary.
Kimberlie Kranich, co-producer of Still Here: Vietnam War Stories from Illinois, talks with Morning Edition host, Brian Moline.
Constance Edwards, Office in the Nurse Army Corps, tended the wounded while facing down racism and sexism.
Army personnel clerk Richard Hertel of Champaign, Illinois remembers his life-changing epiphany on the plane ride home from Vietnam.
Patrick Lam from Chatham, Illinois, was just nine years old in 1979 when he was forced to leave Vietnam.
Steve Allen recites his poem for "Smitty".
Steve Allen, Marine platoon commander, remembers "Smitty".
