Oral Histories

Pat Kenny has volunteered to take oral histories and the following is excerpts from his email to your WebMasterSgt.

We are going to START doing oral histories for the squadron.  And since we have never attempted it before we don't really know how long it will take, but it will get completed.  We are not sure how many we will get done in Mesquite, but we will continue doing the program on an ongoing basis until we get it complete.
I envision it as a building project similar to the stories individuals have put on the web site.  I envision a part of our web site devoted to the oral histories, archived and linked to the roster, similar to narratives and photos we do now.
Once we get started we will get a better feel for how long it will take and can plan a little better.  We want to start obviously with the early years and the older vets, but if the shy don't want to come forward initially we will take any guinea pig next in line.
Our plan is to provide a each participant with a copy of their video recording.  I would encourage each to be casual, wear whatever makes you comfortable.
I will work on the back drop with my nephew so we have a very video friendly one.  I envision something in the order of our web browser home page, only the purple background may be much lighter.
Our ultimate goal is to provide a history on each and every member, and for the deceased, well, I am working on that.
Semper fi, Pat

The below questions are a guide for the folks that want to do the Oral Histories at Mesquite.  Not all questions fit each individual, that is why they are so general and far reaching.   You will not be restricted to just your time Hmm-364, this is about your total military service.  Some interviews will last about 15-20 minutes and some may last 30 minutes.   In in some few cases they could go on an hour. But 20 min would be the average.  Remember, it is your history.  Pat suggests that if you have memorabilia (like their K Bar, or flight jacket or sign or photos), that you bring them to the interview and they can be referenced in the video.  He also mentioned the idea if two or more of you were in the same"Shit Sandwich" wecould combine them in the end of the interviews.  Remember folks, we have no set limits yet!

What is your Name, hometown?

Military Action
What were you doing just before you joined the Marine Corps? Student? Working? Married? Single? Children?
Under what circumstances did you enter the Marine Corps? Were you drafted or did you enlist? How old were you?
Why did you join the Marine Corps?
What was the specific unit that you were assigned to?
What kind of training did you receive? What was the most helpful part of your training?
What was the mission of your unit?
What was your rank and your job?
What are some of the things from your training that stand out in your memory?
What was a typical day like in your life during the war?
Where were you stationed?
Home Front
Did your parents approve of you serving in the military?
How did you feel about leaving home?
How did you communicate with loved ones back home?
What was different when you got back?
Frontline and Battles
Describe your living conditions while in Vietnam
Can you describe your feelings during combat ops?
How did you cope with the fear of combat?
Impact
What was your happiest (funniest or saddest) memory of the war?
Were you afraid? What was your biggest fear?
What do you think your biggest accomplishment was?
What were you most proud of during your military service?
What impact did your unit have on the outcome of the war?
How did your experiences in Vietnam affect the rest of your life?
Follow Up Questions
What would you want people to know about this time in history?
What important question did I forget to ask you?
Tell me about any friendships you made during the war.
What would you have changed about your war experience if you could?
What mistakes do you think the military made, if any, during the war.
Do you think the war could have been prevented?
What had changed when you got home from the war?
Did anything happen during the war that affected you for the rest of your life?
What do you think the biggest misconception about Vietnam is?
Do you think the war was worth the price?
Do you think fighting in the war was the moral thing to do?

 

 

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