- April 19, 2024
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"We were known as baby killers. We were spit on. We were told by our own government not to wear our uniforms, to go home to change clothes, because we were going to get protests."
Robert Adkins, a Vietnam veteran, was speaking to a class of students at Spruce Creek High as part of a two-day visit, from Thursday, March 1, to Wednesday, March 2, to provide a personal perspective about serving in the war. Adkins, along with four other veterans and a military spouse, had been invited to participate in an annual presentation put on by U.S. History teacher Chase Tramont.
The classroom had been transformed into a military base in a jungle. Camouflage and bushes lined the walls, bags of sand sat piled in a corner and Army helmets were placed on some students' desks.
For the students present, the time with the veterans was meant not only to learn but get answers to any and all questions, no matter the subject. And the questions poured out.
"How did you deal with people dying around you?"
"What was it like coming home to protests?"
"Did religion play a part for you in the war?"
The veterans didn't hold back. In addition to describing what it was like coming home to protests, Adkins told the students about the saddest word he has ever heard: mommy.
Adkins explained that at night he would hear the men around him crying because they were homesick and terrified. He said they didn't call for their wives or their girlfriends, they called for their mothers. Adkins, who has had to be in therapy once a month, said for years after the war he would be triggered when he heard that word, even hating be around children when they would use it.
"It was a sad word," Adkins said.
Army veteran Kenneth Kinsler, who was drafted in 1967 and fought in south Vietnam, recalled a phrase that he said many people in the military would use: don't mean nothin'. Kinsler said it was a way of putting up a wall when they would see something bad.
"That doesn't make it go away and that's where PTSD comes from; you think you can shut it up by just saying that but you really can't," Kindler said. "You never get used to it, you never get used to people dying, you never get used to suffering."
Students also got the chance to hear about what it was like waiting for a loved one to come home from Vietnam. Diana Schaack was at Spruce Creek with her husband, Terry Schaack, who was drafted in 1967. The couple, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, were high school sweethearts who had to change their wedding plans when they realized Terry would soon be drafted.
They married on July 1 and Terry was drafted on July 11. He was in Vietnam by Christmas. Diana would send her husband food, clothing, anything he needed to survive.
"I was one of the lucky ones to go home," Terry said.
Creating an interactive experience for students
The idea for the veteran program started about six years ago. When Tramont was a youth pastor he would have warfare weekends or warfare Wednesday nights where he would decorate according to the theme. When he started teaching about Vietnam he decided to take the concept to a new level to create an atmosphere he thought would help the students learn best.
Tramont borrowed a few items from a friend and started out with one veteran coming to the class to speak. At first the veterans would speak only about Vietnam but with each year the questions grew and now, while Vietnam is still the central topic of discussion, the veterans talk about everything, from living in the '60s and '70s, the music they listen to and whatever else the students want to know.
"I'm just super glad they're more open to any questions, even if it was super personal," high school student Kevon Johnson said.
However, Tramont said that while the special classes help the students, it's also for the veterans. According to Tramont, some of the veterans hadn't opened up about their experiences for 50 years. Tramont added that his goal as an educator is to teach history, respect and patriotism, subjects he feels are epitomized by veterans.
It's also a way to say welcome home to those that never heard those words.
"As long as I teach, the service and sacrifices of these men and women will never be forgotten or marginalized," Tramont said. "Not on my watch."
