Vietnam War: A picture's worth a thousand words By Michael Futch Staff writer
Wanted: vintage war photographs from home and abroad, circa Vietnam era. Cape Fear Studios has put out a call to Vietnam veterans and their families for wartime photography. As envisioned, select pictures from those submitted will be presented as a series of exhibits in conjunction with the Heroes Homecoming celebration in November. Fayetteville leaders are planning the Heroes Homecoming over the 10 days leading up to Veterans Day. The celebration, which will include an agenda of community observances, will honor the Vietnam War veterans. Chris Kastner, executive director of Cape Fear Studios, said the Vietnam-era photography will serve as a key component of the homecoming festivities. "I think it gives the vets a chance to tell their story," she said. "I think visual images are so powerful. It makes it real to a lot of people. You can read about a lot of things, but when you walk through and see images, I think it has a much better impact." Images are being accepted through the middle of August, Kastner said. They can be submitted in any format, including photographs, slides and film. The images will be returned to their owners. "Obviously, we'd like to get the photos in this winter and spring," she added. "We need to have time to do something on the images and have them matted and framed." Cape Fear Studios, a nonprofit arts organization in downtown Fayetteville, is using a $4,000 grant from The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County for the project. The money will cover the cost to print, mat and frame 90 images. If there's a need for additional materials, the studio is eligible to apply for another grant July 1. Plans call for a series of exhibits that could be displayed in the Museum of the Cape Fear and the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. "We hope to have them in several other locations around town," she said. "Depending on how much we get, we could hang some in the mayor's office or other places." The studio has already received pictures of an infantryman in Vietnam and The Old Guard - the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president - at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. At this time, Cape Fear Studios is interested in receiving scenes of military units at home or in Vietnam, and images of military members and the equipment they used. Images of Vietnam before the nation's involvement in the conflict also are being sought. Some images may be deemed too graphic and powerful for children, Kastner said. Organizers may decide to separate those in a display for older viewers. Veterans groups are being notified. Though many soldiers who served in Vietnam have died, Kastner said, some of their families may have pictures from the period. Telling the whole story During the Vietnam era, anti-war protests were staged in Fayetteville and other parts of the country. In May 1970, actress Jane Fonda was among 2,000 anti-war protesters attending a rally in Rowan Park. "We're going to tell the whole story," Kastner said. "I think that's the plan for Heroes Homecoming in general. They're including the protest side of things. I could see photography doing the same thing. At this point, we're kind of reaching out in general." For this effort, the studio is partnering with the Museum of the Cape Fear, the art department at Fayetteville State University, and the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum. Shane Booth, a photographer and art instructor at FSU, will work with the images with his art students. "We just need to be getting the word out," Kastner said. "Depending on what we receive, we'd love to do a Vietnam then and now. Several veterans have traveled back to Vietnam and have recent pictures." Staff writer Michael Futch can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3529. -- http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/01/30/1062731?sac=Home%3E Via InstaFetch -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en.
