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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1979)
t Viet vets call their week ‘hollow’ memorial By KELI OSBORN Of the Emerald Pres. Jimmy Carter last March declared May 28 through June 3, 1979 Vietnam Veterans Week, and called upon Americans to express sincere thanks for the service of all Vietnam-era veterans. "The decade now drawing to a close began in the midst of a war that was the longest and most expensive in our history, and most costly in human lives and suffering Because it was a divisive and painful period for all Americans, we are tempted to want to put the Vietnam war out of our minds But it is important that we remember — honestly, realistically, with humility,” Carter said But Julian Camp, a University student and Vietnam - vet, says people don't want to remember that war Despite Carter's proclamation, "the war is out-of*fashion. “I’ve heard the patter on the radio about Vietnam vets week,’ he says, "and it's a nice gesture, guys, but it's hollow and empty Until America takes responsibility for her actions in Indochina, it's just lip-service ” It's merely a week of activities, he says, a ceremony that doesn't improve the quality of life. Vietnam Veterans Week won t supply jobs, won’t lead officials to recognize the lingering influence of Agent Orange and won't stop Americans from pushing the war into the backs of their minds. Camp adds But what do Vietnam veterans really want? Jeff Engle, another student and veteran, points out that there is no one "veteran voice,” but he and the others who hang around the University Veterans Association of fice agree Americans have yet to face the unpopular Vietnam war They want that confrontation, they say. and they want some sensitivity shown them. "A lot of caring is needed,” Engle says. "The way I was handled by my government was insensitive. Our foreign policy was insensitive. " And now his peers are sometimes insensitive. Graphic by Tom Ettet Veteran John Lawrence says the insensitivity comes from people not being aware of their own feelings about the Vietnam War. Veterans are still feeling guilty about American involvement in Indochina, he adds, but the rest of the civilian population is "going about the business of being normal... Larry Kinyon isn't surprised by the evasion of Viet nam He likens post-Vietnam United States to the Ger many of the years following World War II. "It was the first time in American history we lost a war,” he says. "You know it wasn't until two years ago that they began teaching history of the years between 1915 and 1937 in Western Germany.” Camp says it’s sometimes repulsion, or even hatred, that some show Vietnam veterans. "We re the first generation of American soldiers who lost a war. And they hate us for that.” If it’s sensitivity the veterans want from their peers, family and acquaintances, it is benefits and a measure of responsibility they want from the government. "It's really an issue between the government and the veterans," Lawrence says "Seventy-five percent of the Army in 1969 was draftees — people forced to go war. "The government forced this thing on civilians, and then on their return just dropped them It's that denial of responsibility that the Vietnam vet doesn't like," Lawrence adds. Although many of the vets admit their own benefits, educational qnd medical, are good, they say others aren’t so lucky. "You’re still a number when you get out," claims Russ Linebarger He says he’d like to see Veterans Ad ministration officials treat vets personally, calling on them for program ideas. Camp cites an incident of one fellow veteran being awarded 100 percent disability payments, finding a job and having those benefits reduced, then failing the job (Continued on Page 16) Bookstore boards elect new officers By JACK eONDUFFE Of the Emerald In Thursday evening meet ings. the old University Book store Board of Directors select ed Steve Herlocker to replace Janet Eggleston, who resigned, and the new board, elected earlier this month, selected of ficers for the 1979-1980 school year r Mary Sanded was elected president, defeating Rocky Schatz in a 5 to 3 vote Schatz then defeated board member Hal Darst for the vice presidency. 5 to 3. Darst was elected secretary by a unanimous ballot Andy Van dermolen faced Mark Farley for treasurer of the board and, following a 4 to 4 tie ballot, was also elected. 5 to 23 1 Sanded, a third-year law student, said she expected the board to continue its policy of controlling the bookstore's general management policies, but that she hoped the board would observe, but generally not involve itself in. the store's day-to-day operations. She expects the business like operation of the store often to conflict with her own per sonal views on social issus, such as the sale of Nestle s products, she said Sanded was a supporter of the board's action to divest the bookstore of South Africa related bonds, but joined in a unanimous board vote last month to keep the store's bank account with U S. National Bank of Oregon U S Bank participates in a loan consor tium that up to three years ago directly loaned money to South Africa’s government "The basis of our decision was our long-term commitment to U S National Bank," Sandell said. "It was basically a business decision ” The deciding factor for the board, she said, was the in direct nature of the bank’s in volvement with the loan and noted that the loan consortium actually has not loaned money to South Africa for more than three years Corrections, amplifications The Child Care and Development Center's policy and a statement attributed to its director was misinterpreted in Thursday's Emerald CCDC Director Wanda Venturacci says she believed teething tablets which contained belladona did not require a doctor's prescription, and that parents must request medication for their children before the center can administer any treatment We Give A10% Discount On Service & Repairs With YourUofO I.D. Gird. 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