Texas A&M University-Kingsville

KINGSVILLE - January 18, 2007

Contact: Jason Marton
jason.marton@tamuk.edu or 361-593-4143

Day of panels, evening dinner featuring first Medal of Honor recipient of Vietnam War

KINGSVILLE (January 18, 2007) — Veterans, educators and those that experienced the Vietnam War at home or through a loved one come together Thursday, March 1, for the second annual Vietnam Experience Symposium at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, in the Memorial Student Union Building (MSUB).

“The Vietnam Experience:  A symposium on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam as seen through the eyes of historians, veterans and the family members and the survivors of those who served,” seeks to provide resources and opportunities so that past, current and future generations may have fact-based and unbiased information upon which to base their understanding of the Vietnam conflict.

This year’s symposium will provide a glimpse at medical care during the war, the health of soldiers after they left the battlefront and post-traumatic stress disorder, a health concern of increasing significance among veterans today as well as those of the Vietnam generation. 

Featured speakers for this year include retired Army Col. Roger C. Donlon, the first Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War; retired Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin L. Harrison, Commander, Third Brigade, 101st Airborne Division during the battle for Firebase Ripcord; and Steve Maxner, deputy director of the Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University.

Free daytime activities, including a continental breakfast and panel discussions, will be available on the second floor of the MSUB from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

A dinner and presentation from Donlon will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. in the MSUB ballrooms. General admission to the dinner is $10 and $5 for students.

The schedule of events is:

7:30 a.m.-8 a.m. – Continental breakfast, registration and reception, hallway outside the MSUB ballrooms

8-8:15 a.m. – Opening ceremonies, introduction of the kick-off speaker, MSUB, second floor.

8:15-9:45 a.m. – Panel discussion, “The Last Great Battle for American Troops: Firebase Ripcord” featuring retired Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, MSUB, second floor

9:45-10 a.m. – Break

10-11:30 a.m. – “A Historical Perspective: Origins of the U.S. Involvement in Vietnam,” featuring Steve Maxner, MSUB, second floor

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Lunch on your own

1-2:30 p.m. – Panel discussion, “Keeping Them Alive: From the Battlefield to the Evac to Stateside, Medical Support in Vietnam,” MSUB, second floor

2:30-2:45 p.m. – Break

2:45-3:45 p.m. – Panel discussion, “The Stress Factor – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Causes, Diagnoses, Treatment and Help Resources,” MSUB, second floor

3:45-4:45 p.m. – Wrap-up panel, “Take a Shot,” retired Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, retired Army Col. Roger C. Donlon, retired Army Lt. Gen. Marc Cisneros, MSUB, second floor

6-7:30 p.m. – Dinner and presentation by retired Army Col. Roger C. Donlon, MSUB ballrooms

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