On a meaningful journey to Vietnam, Westminster College students, faculty, and veterans came face to face with the history of a conflict that claimed the lives of seven of the institution’s alumni.
The group convened on Wednesday for a Veterans Day ceremony at Westminster College in Fulton, taking time to reflect on the experience and the personal stories they carried home with them.
The trip was organized by Mark Boulton, who first launched the initiative in 2018.
“As someone who’s studied the Vietnam War for a long time, learning about the sacrifices that some of our Westminster alumni made in Vietnam then, just brought it all together to where it’s a wonderful opportunity to go back, learn about the war, but also make a connection to our students today,” Boulton said.
The journey centered on honoring the seven Westminster alumni who lost their lives during the Vietnam War, collectively referred to as the Westminster Seven.
For those who made the trip, visiting the country provided a rare opportunity to deepen their understanding of history in ways that extend well beyond the boundaries of a traditional classroom setting.
“Hearing what they had to endure and see the conditions, and just the weather there, really changed my perspective on their experiences,” said Emily Bluth, a current faculty member at Westminster College.
The experience also served as a bridge between generations. Emily traveled alongside her father, allowing them to share the journey together and reflect on the war from distinctly different perspectives.
“Vietnam has changed immensely in the last 50 years, it’s a beautiful country and the people are just so gracious and so friendly, I would go back anytime,” said Westminster alumnus Michael Bluth.
For certain veterans, the connection to Vietnam extends far beyond a single visit. One veteran present at Wednesday’s ceremony had already made two previous trips to the country since completing his service, fulfilling a personal promise he had made to himself years earlier.
“I haven’t suffered from PTSD like some have, and so it was more of a homecoming and a place that I spent two years than it was kind of an emotional drain,” said veteran Steve Hardin.
The Veterans Day ceremony offered the Westminster community an opportunity to reflect not only on the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War, but also on the broader importance of preserving the stories of those who lived through the realities of armed conflict.
“(Veterans) throughout our wars, which are many, have suffered and they need an opportunity to get some kind of recognition for what they did for others, not just for themselves,” Hardin said.
