Vietnam Vets Give CV Students a Glimpse of War

Mike Bonacci came back from the Vietnam war not knowing what to expect. What the Army soldier found was protesters who blamed him for the war.

Bonacci, a Chartiers Valley High School principal for 12 years, became emotional when he spoke about how “some grungy guy” grabbed him by the legs and called him a “baby burner” when he returned from the war to San Francisco in 1971. When the protester didn’t let go and continued to yell at him, Bonacci unleashed his emotions on him.

“I hit him so hard in the face. I was just all over him.  Bonacci said, recalling teeth and blood flying all over the place. “I wasn’t a hero. I wasn’t expecting a parade. I just wanted to be left alone.”

Bonacci and five other Vietnam vets offered raw and uncensored glimpses of their experiences Friday morning to students. They spoke during the Vietnam Symposium organized by social studies teacher Bob Rodrigues for the past 15 years.

Former Army Ranger Curtis Simmons said he was taught to dehumanize the enemy in order to kill them.

“If you don’t see them as human, it’s easier to kill them,” Simmons said.

Jim Jenkins, an Army helicopter pilot, had a different take on the situation.

“We’ll just shoot them and let God sort it out later,” Jenkins said.

But those years of war took a toll on them physically and emotionally, each of the six men said. Bill Korber, who was a broadcast journalist drafted into the Army, said understanding the culture has helped him to heal after the war.

“I’ll admit over there, I had no understanding of their culture,” Korber said. “I felt like this is a healing process.”

Simmons said he has had trouble dealing with the war and has had to go through counseling to deal with his severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Talks like these with students help him open up about the war.

“If you take a human life, there’s no freebie on that,” he said. “Especially if you believe in a higher power.”

Most, however, were eager to go to Vietnam. Five of the six had joined the military and knew they would see action.

“We wanted to go to Vietnam,” Jenkins said. “Five years later, we might’ve had a different opinion. If you took a thousand different soldiers, you’d have a thousand different wars.”

But their opinions about war have changed drastically since they’ve returned.

“I think you’ve gotten the message that none of us believe in war … now,” Jenkins said.

Korber said he returned from Vietnam and joined the protesters. All of them said, being former warriors, they never question the men fighting overseas.

“I always support the combatants on the field no matter what,” Simmons said. “But I do question the government’s role when we get into wars and when we’re in wars.”

Rodriques, who knows several of the men personally, said he hoped the students would gain a better appreciation for the human element of war.

“I hope all of you take away the message these men imparted today,” Rodrigues said. “It’s not just about the Vietnam war. It’s about being a human being and dealing with what life throws at us.

Al Robinson and Jim Cromie, both of whom served in the Marines, also attended the Vietnam Symposium.

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