JWI

[|1984 Lesson Plan Book One]

[|1984 Lesson Plan Book Two]

[|1984 Lesson Plan Book Three]

Give Me a War Movie

Dr. Donald Winikoff always sees the brighter side of things; his normally jolly persona naturally dominates almost any circumstance. Yet this happily calm image can not fully conceal the uncomfortable memories he carries. Born in 1932, he has seen a plethora of major historical events occur. The complacent smile that so perfectly matched his casual slippers and bathrobe quickly vanished as I began the interview, trying to discover from a ‘war veteran' if the traumatic experiences effected him as they do many others. A solemn look dominated his face; "I've been a participant and a bystander in some of the most awful things in this world". Donald was drafted in the air force as a physician and saw time during [|Vietnam]. He, however, feels that [|his services have not left an overbearing impact on him]. He stated that the only times his time in the war pops into mind is when he is watching a war movie. Now granted, he has never shot a gun, never been shot at, and certainly never killed a man, but shouldn't being that close to war and being around unnatural death that much do something to your mind? Donald has never lost an hour of sleep over it. Does this make him a bad person? "I feel I've lived a good life" he modestly states. He generally agrees with the government --not because they are right, but because they are our government. Although there may have been doubt in Donald's mind with many situations (especially Vietnam), he "did believe what [the government] said". He swore to me that he would risk his life for family, faith, and a fellow soldier. However, he could not promise that he would save an anonymous soldier. But isn't that wrong? Anonymous soldiers risk their lives for us, American people (people they've never met) before every day. Shouldn't we be able to do the same in return? And especially after being in a war, shouldn't the doctor have a new position on death and new respect for the courage it takes for a soldier day in and day out to save anonymous lives? "Would I risk my life for someone I don't know? I can't honestly say I would". Even though he has been in war, he has avoided many of the life altering decisions such as whether he can take a bullet for someone he loves or not. "I don't know how courageous I would be under those circumstances". His eyes were apologetic, his body was uncomfortable, his answers were morally debatable, but he was so nice. Dr. Winikoff is a man firm with his beliefs. He has his reasons to think how he does and makes sure he never forgets or abandons them. He is very religious now, which raised the question of whether he has always been. Would partaking in the Vietnam War trigger sudden religious curiosity or pose an obstacle in the doubt of G-d's presence? Donald never found it difficult to believe in G-d, but often he "just could not understand [religion]". His responses were quick and almost pre-planned, yet his awkward slide up into his chair upon hearing the topic displayed his unexpecting self. I have only heard about how traumatizing war is from books and movies. Yet [|The Things They Carried] is fiction, so how can I believe the war's effect on [|O'Brien] ? I know he felt the war, but I can no longer know to what extent. So interviewing someone in person who should've been affected was a great opportunity to see this point proven. Religion, health, and family are the most important aspects of Donald's life. None of these have been affected by war, though. I had no reason to believe that war really effected people in the ways media depicted it, no reasons until Donald spoke freely. After my questions were answered and I began packing up, he sat up stiff in his chair. He closed his eyes and wiped his face with two sweaty hands cupped as one. His bright red bathrobe didn't seem so playful anymore, but uneasily passionate. "When I was in the service, I had lunch one day with [|Colonel Tibbets] . Colonel Tibbets was the bombardier who dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan...And I remember people had told me that he was proud of what he did because he had shortened the war. But when I spoke to him, he was horrible about it. His conscious was killing him." I notice that it's not the experiences of fighting that make or break how you live the rest of your life. It's the decisions one is faced with making. My grandpa Donald has luckily never had to face life altering decisions. Colonel Tibbets, on the other hand, well Donald "thinks it’s a miracle that he hasn't committed suicide". What do I need a war movie for?

[|Here] is the audio (semi podcast) to another vietnam war veteran interview, also done by a high schooler.media type="youtube" key="X7Pt215DLio" height="349" width="425"