Welcome Remarks for" Just Like Me: Vietnam War Stories from All Sides"
McGowan Theater, National Archives Building, Washington, DC
November 7, 2019
Good evening, and welcome to the National Archives. I’m David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I’m pleased to welcome you to the William G. McGowan Theater for tonight’s screening of Just Like Me: Vietnam War Stories from All Sides, with our special guests, Ronald Osgood and Marc Leepson.
Before we get started, I’d like to tell you about two other programs happening later this month in the McGowan Theater.
Tomorrow night, humorist, journalist, and actor Mo Rocca will be here to discuss and sign his latest book, Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving, based on his popular podcast. Joining Rocca in conversation will be CBS News correspondent Rita Braver.
On Tuesday, November 12, at noon, historian Richard Brookhiser will be here to discuss and sign his new book, Give Me Liberty: A History of America's Exceptional Idea. The book examines America’s history through 12 documents that made the United States a new country in a new world: a free country.
Check our website, Archives.gov, or sign up at the table outside the theater to get email updates. You’ll also find information about other National Archives programs and activities.
Another way to get more involved with the National Archives is to become a member of the National Archives Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Visit its website—archivesfoundation.org—to learn more about the Foundation and join online.
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Tonight’s program was originally scheduled for last January to coincide with our special exhibit, Remembering Vietnam. Although the exhibit is no longer in the O’Brien Gallery, you can still find a selection of the documents and photographs from Remembering Vietnam on the National Archives website.
We are very pleased that we were able to reschedule this film and discussion as a tribute to Vietnam veterans worldwide as we near Veterans Day.
In our daily work here at the National Archives, we are aware that the files and photographs and recordings we bring to researchers are valuable not simply as objects from the past but as keys to unlock the stories of the past.
The film we are about to see tonight, Just Like Me: Vietnam War Stories from All Sides, also brings those personal and poignant stories to light.
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And now it’s my pleasure to introduce tonight’s filmmaker, Ron Osgood. Ron is professor emeritus in the Media School at Indiana University, a documentary filmmaker, and a Vietnam War veteran. He taught courses in video design and production and currently teaches documentary film courses for the Indiana University Honors College.
Following the screening, he will be joined on stage by journalist, author, and Vietnam Veteran Marc Leepson to discuss the film and take a few audience questions.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ron Osgood.