Okay, this weekend, I, along with Charlie, Pat (my boss) and Dave (one of my bosses best friends) went to Las Vegas to interview a group of Vietnam Veterans who were stationed on or around L.Z. Russell, right on the edge of the DMZ between Sept 1968 and 1969.

This was an amazing experience. I am well versed in completing Oral Histories ( I probably have 50 under my belt) but this situation was completely different. In two days, the four of us (two teams of two) completed 36 interviews with Vietnam Vets and several of their wives.

The weekend was fascinating and completely draining at the same time. We spoke with enlisted Marines (most were part of an artillery unit), their commanding officer, three Corp man, and several wives. Many of the men were talking about their experiences for the first time in 38 years. The interview lengths ranged from one hour to 15 minutes depending on how much people opened up. Some were able to talk freely, some were not, but almost all of the interviewees cried and at points so did I.

It was amazing how they all took us into their group, and how much they appreciated what we were doing for them. Most had simply closed themselves off since returning because America treated them so poorly and this weekend helped them heal. Almost all of them have PTSD and have had trouble readjusting to society.

Most don't trust the government, but have the utmost respect for those who are fighting in Iraq. After all, it isn't their fault, and they are just following orders.

The wives told a different side of the story, explaining how their husband's experiences in Vietnam had affected their marriage and NO ONE was unaffected.

Everything was so moving, and everyone was so pleased that we were taking an interest in them. Due to the fact that most of them had not even served together (stationed at different times, or replacing those who were wounded), they were all eager to hear each other's recollections in order to help them all understand the complete history.

I just can't say enough about how much I was affected by the weekend. Although we were able to have fun (you can't go to Vegas without walking the strip from one end to the other at least once) I feel so low key, and completely drained.