In February, I had the opportunity to walk down memory lane a bit and guest lecture for the class that my late husband, Walter Capps, first started at UCSB in the late 1970s. Religious Studies 155, "The Vietnam War and American Religion, Its Influence Upon American Social, Cultural and Religious Life," was first started by Walter as a way to bring Vietnam veterans out of the shadows and into a classroom to share their stories. As anyone who lived during this period of time can attest, it was a tumultuous period in our nation’s history. Rather than being welcomed home with open arms, many of our veterans found themselves cast out by their communities.
It was in this political climate that Walter set out to create a dialogue in the classroom. By inviting veterans into a safe and welcoming environment, he created a space for discussion that simply wasn’t there before. He brought together students and activists to hear firsthand accounts from the soldiers who had served on the frontlines in Vietnam and who returned to a less-than-grateful nation. During that time, many guest speakers in Walter’s class said, they had been unable to share their experiences with anyone, including their families. Not only did UCSB students learn about the reality of war that these veterans faced overseas, they also came to participate in the healing process for these men and women.
In the time since Walter first began this class, America has come a long way. Our veterans are no longer forced to hide their military fatigues upon their return from serving in the armed forces for fear of being attacked. Today we have a better understanding of the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and we have enacted programs to better assist veterans in their transition back to civilian life. However, as anyone who has been watching the evening news over the last few years can tell you, we still have a long way to go.