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Remembering Vietnam

John Pemble
Vietnam veterans (left to right) Dan Gannon, Caesar Smith, Ron Langel, and Roger Elliott (standing) recall their experiences in the conflict during River to River.

Forty years ago, the U.S. withdrew its last troops from Vietnam, marking the end of what was then America’s longest and most wrenching war.

On this edition of River to River, four Iowa veterans reflect on their time in Vietnam.

Dan Gannon, Roger Elliott, Ron Langel, and Caesar Smith join the program to share their experiences as medics, repairmen, career soldiers, and draftees. Host Ben Kieffer talks with them about post-traumatic stress disorder, what it was like to come home to those not in support of the war, and how they have viewed military conflicts since.

Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River