Stories of Service

There’s a long tradition of Latino-Americans serving in the military going back to World War II. For many families, it’s been a way to demonstrate their patriotism and secure their position in society.

On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam examines the Latino experience during a war that placed its heaviest burden on working-class youth and their communities. Framing the film are memoirs of two siblings, Everett and Delia Alvarez, who stood on opposite sides of the Vietnam War, one as a POW and the other protesting at home.

After seeing the way working-class families were treated by the draft system, Julian Camacho resigned from his position on the draft board to protest the war in Vietnam.

Find out how North Warren Regional School District in New Jersey is helping its students to forge deeper and more meaningful connections to history through the “Voices of Veterans” program. This segment from NJEA’s Classroom Close-up highlights conversations with students, teachers, and veterans as they share their personal connections to the past.

Army Colonel Jeffrey French describes the months leading up to his deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, when he was ordered to take command of an infantry unit on very short notice. His children, Kyle, Sarah and Annemarie, talk about how difficult it was to prepare for a long and dangerous deployment without much warning.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ramiro Gonzales is welcomed home from an 8-month deployment on the USS Boxer by his wife, Misty, and their three children, Alex, Lillie, and Hunter — who was born during this deployment and who Ramiro is meeting for the first time. After their joyful reunion, Ram and Misty face the challenges of reintegration as they readjust to family life.

Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Veronica Holliday describes the role of her husband, Michael, in raising their three children. Michael talks about the satisfaction he takes in being a father and how proud he is of Veronica’s achievements in the Navy — which have been made possible in part by his role as a stay-at-home dad.

Army Staff Sergeant Leo Gruba and his wife Serena talk about his six deployments to Iraq and how he has learned over time to share more about his experiences there with his family. Leo and Serena also discuss how their life in the Army has changed since the birth of their son LJ — and how it will likely change again soon when their second child, Austin, is born.

Army Specialist Samantha Van Fossen says goodbye to her parents and sisters as she prepares to leave the small town of Lodi, Wisconsin, for her first overseas deployment to the Middle East. Although Samantha is prepared and excited for her mission, she struggles with leaving her family. Later, senior military leaders and experts discuss the experiences of military families in the post-9/11 era.

View intimate portraits of America’s military families, with unprecedented access to soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen and women in the all-volunteer military. The revealing documentary tells stories of pride and patriotism, sacrifice and resilience.

From the Civil War to the conflicts of the Vietnam era, forced military service has torn the nation apart — and sometimes, as in WWII, united Americans in a common purpose. Hear how a single, controversial issue continues to define America.

President Wilson re-branded the draft with the Selective Service Act, outlawing substitution and establishing medical and educational deferments and local draft boards. But while 3 million draftees were willing to fight the “war to end all wars,” the conflict only set the stage for an even greater struggle.