Published: January 18, 2008 11:52 pm      

Students seeking Vietnam vets for documentary

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — Local high school students who are producing an oral history film documentary featuring local veterans are looking for more Vietnam War soldiers willing to tell their stories.

Students will be videotaping Vietnam vets at Northern Cambria’s middle school auditorium between noon and 8 p.m. Monday.

About 16 high school historians are participating with Coal Country Hangout Youth Center in the $10,000 grant-funded project awarded by the History Channel last year.

“Remembering America’s Longest War: Western Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans and the Approach of the Golden Anniversary” has been in production since the first round of interviews took place in the fall at Cambria County Historical Society in Ebensburg.

“High school students are interviewing Vietnam vets, videotaping the interviews, and simply talking to them about what they did, their lives, and what they’re doing now,” explained Deacon Ann Staples, the Hangout’s executive director.

The information will be made into a 60-minute documentary, and, if it is selected, will be shown on national television and garner a special prize for the Hangout.

The project will focus on veterans’ experiences in Vietnam, their family and community backgrounds, and post-war re-adjustment period.

Staples said interview appointments are not necessary and all veterans who arrive will be met at the door of the middle school by one of the participating students. After next week’s session, the teens will interview former soldiers in Johnstown and Clymer, Indiana County.

Once all sessions are completed, a “trailer” will be sent to the History Channel by the beginning of April for judging.

“The final product will be sent in at the end of June,” Staples said. According to the History Channel’s Web site, 27 organizations across the country are competing against each other for the grand prize. The winning film will be aired in the fall.

Paul Newman, a history professor at Pitt-Johnstown, and Karen Bowman, a Northern Cambria High School history teacher, are advising the group.

Interested Vietnam veterans who have questions can call the Hangout at 948-8493.