Earlier this month, students at Manheim Central High School traveled back in time to the Vietnam War, receiving firsthand accounts of the conflict from veterans who are members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1008.

"We talk about our experiences when we served in Vietnam," said Mike Kunitsky, president of the chapter. "There are different branches of the service, different times and different locations represented. What we try to instill in the students is what you're never going to get out of a history book."

Panelist Chuck Bechtel, who served in the Army, agreed, adding, "This gives the kids some perspective on the sacrifices that the soldiers have made for our country. Reading it in a book is one thing. Hearing it from a soldier, sailor or airman puts a completely different perspective on it."

The group has been giving presentations at area schools for a decade. Education chair John Hoober said they always have the same goal. "We are not here to teach a history lesson," he said. "We are here for one reason: What do these kids want to know about the Vietnam War and the Vietnam era? Almost all of their questions lead to our personal experiences."

Louis Farganis, Bob Shope, Dan Duane and Alberto Ros rounded out the panel.

"This is an interesting panel," Hoober said. "We've got two Navy guys, Mike and Bob. We've got Lou, who's a Marine, and Chuck, who's an Army Ranger, so they were both boots on the ground. They were in the midst of it. I was in supplies. Alberto was in finance and Dan was a mechanic."

Students in American history classes, including AP U.S. History as well as History of Leaders and Leadership, participated in the program. The panelists spoke to the students as a whole and then shared personal memorabilia with students one-on-one or in smaller groups.

After a brief introduction by each of the panelists, the group asked the students if any had been to Washington, D.C., to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Senior Geofferson Sites said he had been, and he recalled being struck by its size. "My first reaction to it was the sheer amount of names on it," he said. "It was mind boggling. I hadn't really thought about how many people died."

Junior Kaylee Dougherty asked a question about post-traumatic stress and whether anything triggers the veterans.

Kunitsky, who served in the Brown Water Navy in the Mekong Delta, said he reacts to both the sound of helicopters and anytime the Susquehanna River turns brown after a storm.

Students inquired about Agent Orange and wondered if any of the panel were tunnel rats, the term for soldiers who cleared and destroyed enemy tunnel complexes.

Although much of the presentation was somber, one question did draw a laugh. When asked what he looked forward to most on his return home, Shope replied, "I can't tell you. You'll have to use your imagination."

The group will make presentations at other schools this spring. The chapter is always looking for new members. It's open to anyone who served on active duty in Vietnam between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between Aug. 5, 1964, and May, 7, 1975. For more information, visit https://vva.org.