Every year on November 11, Americans honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. It’s a crucial day to reflect on their commitment to serve and the ideals of duty and freedom.
To fully understand the sacrifices and hardship faced by veterans, consider checking out the recent documentary The Vietnam War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. If you already watched the ten part, 18-hour documentary on PBS, you may want to check out the companion book: The Vietnam War: An Intimate History.
Did you know that here in Chicago we have two museums that help showcase what it means to be a veteran?
The National Veterans Art Museum hopes to foster dialogue between veterans and civilians about the impact of war. Learn more about the museum’s history and mission here. The exhibit Vietnam – The Defining Moment is opening Friday, Nov 10. It features artwork by over 30 Vietnam veterans and was curated by 2 Vietnam veterans.
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library, is located right across from Millennium Park. Faces of War is a current exhibit of images by photographers that served on the front lines during the Vietnam War. The collection also includes artifacts and items including the notebook of a soldier who fought during the Revolutionary War, Medals of Honor, and a 45-star flag from 1898.