Although he did not serve in the Vietnam War, NCRA member Craig Williams, RPR, CMRS, CLVS (Ret.), from Indianapolis, Ind., said he was in college in 1970 and was part of the draft lottery. Having a higher number, he wasn’t called to serve; but he does clearly remember the national mood at the time and how Americans responded to the increasingly unpopular war. That history, he said, made him eager to help a good friend with a special project that would transcribe and preserve the stories of some of those who did serve in Vietnam.
“Two years ago, I was having lunch with Jack Wickes, an attorney, photographer, former client, friend, and Vietnam veteran, who shared his vision for a new project: interviewing 25 Vietnam veterans and capturing their reflections more than 50 years after returning home from the war,” said Williams, who began his own court reporting career in 1978 after graduating from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa.
“His plan was to photograph each veteran and create a powerful gallery exhibit titled ‘Returning to the World — Vietnam Veterans’ Journeys’ with the photograph of the veteran and a synopsis of their interview.”
“The final exhibit, which was on display at the Carmel Clay History Museum in Carmel, Ind., and was viewed through June 10, featured interviews with photographs that share the powerful stories and experiences of Vietnam veterans, both during their service and after their return home. The exhibit served to create a “bridge of memory and understanding” for visitors, giving a voice to the experiences of Vietnam veterans. It provided a meaningful and profound experience, allowing visitors to connect with the powerful personal stories of these veterans.
I strongly encourage others to take part in capturing and preserving the stories of our U.S. veterans. It’s a meaningful, emotional, and deeply rewarding experience.
“Listening to the veterans share their experiences in Vietnam and describe the reception they received upon returning home was both powerful and moving,” said Williams, whose career spanned working as freelance court reporter to becoming a firm owner before retiring in 2024.
“Many were telling their stories for the first time, and it was often difficult to hear what they had endured. The interviews revealed how deeply their service affected them, with lasting impacts that continued throughout their lives,” said Williams. “I strongly encourage others to take part in capturing and preserving the stories of our U.S. veterans. It’s a meaningful, emotional, and deeply rewarding experience. Not only does it honor those who served, but it also helps ensure their voices and sacrifices are remembered as an important part of our nation’s history.”
Craig Williams, RPR, CMRS, CLVS (Ret.), is from Indianapolis, Ind and can be contacted at crcraigwilliams@gmail.com.
Returning to the world – Vietnam veterans’ journeys
By Jack Wickes
A few years ago, I learned that of the 2.7 million Americans who served in uniform in Vietnam, fewer than 600,000 were still alive — less than 30 percent. Since my dad died, I have often wondered why I did not ask him more questions about his life and his service as a Navy pilot in World War II. I am a Vietnam veteran; I was drafted after graduating from Indiana University in 1969 and served one year in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. I knew that those who served in Vietnam had stories worth telling and stories worth remembering. After all, wars are fought by people — flesh and blood. For the survivors, war leaves an imprint, if not a scar. Veterans live with war — good and bad — for a lifetime.
So, I undertook to interview and photograph Vietnam veterans in central Indiana. During those interviews, I paid careful attention to inquire about each veteran’s anticipation of returning home, the reality of that return, what they carried with them when they left Vietnam, and a 50-year perspective. Craig Williams kindly offered to transcribe each interview.
Twenty-five veterans were interviewed. All served America in a faraway country more than 50 years ago. And they had stories to tell – stories about a tiger, poisonous spiders, the death of friends, the smell, the rats, the leeches and red ants, the heat, the monsoon, loneliness, the drugs, and the lessons learned. On returning home, most of the veterans encountered hostility – being spat upon and called names by their fellow Americans. Except for their families and loved ones, few welcomed them home and helped them adjust. As one veteran reported, it was probably 10 years before he told people he had been in the military.
To read excerpts from some of the stories shared by the veterans who participated in this event, please see the November/December print issue or online issue of the Journal of Court Reporting.
Special thanks to NCRA member Amy Doman, RDR, CRR, of Carmel, Ind., for bringing this story to light.
Interested in honoring U.S. veterans? Consider taking part in the National Court Reporters Foundation’s collaboration with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Since 2003 many NCRA members have volunteered their services to record and transcribe the stories of many U.S. veterans, building a legacy of those who have served our nation. More information can be found at NCRA.org/foundation, or contact NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandmans@ncra.org.
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