The Things We Carry

Dr. Beidler in Action

Dr. Philip Beidler was the speaker at the Gadsden Reads event at Meadows Library on March 7, 2012.  Dr. Beidler is a professor of American Literature at the University of Alabama.  He is also a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and has a lot in common with Tim O'Brien, the author of The Things We Carry.  Like O'Brien he served during the height if the conflict (he pointed out that Vietnam was a Conflict not a War, it was never declared by Congress). 

Dr. Beidler compared Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.  He gave a very frank and honest discourse on war and the repercussions which he is still experiencing. 

Vietnam will always be considered a turning point in American history.  This is when war lost the respect of many of it's survivors.  Dr. Beidler believes that the current soldiers will be living through the same horrors that he and his fellow Vietnam vets have. 

Dr.Bridler's speech is just one of many events planned for this years Gadsden Reads.  Checkout the website at http://www.gadsdenreads.com/ for more information on upcoming events. DMB