Van R. Thornhill's interview for the Veterans History Project at Atlanta History Center
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Catalog Number: VIS 201.0764
We welcome your comments on this interview at VeteransHistoryProject@AtlantaHistoryCenter.com
In this interview Van Thornhill shares his experiences serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He remembers being drafted, family reactions to him being drafted, and living frugally before basic training. He recalls his orders to become a Huey Cobra helicopter crew chief. He describes flying into the Philippines amid a typhoon, the conditions of the camp in Vietnam, and being assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade with the codename “Outcast” or “Black Cats.” Thornhill recounts his duties including helicopter maintenance, door gunner, and pilot training. He discusses coming home, feeling different after the war, and his strategies for dealing with PTSD. He also talks about his postwar life including his marriage, children, and attending college.
Van Thornhill was the Landscaping Supervisor at Southlake Mall in Morrow, Georgia in the Summer of 1976. That was my first fulltime Summer job. I was 16 years old. I sure do wish I could have had the time to sit down and listen to Van talk as I've just witnessed here on this video recording. There was a lot to learn from a man that had been through so much in such a short length of time of his life. A lot of time has passed since those early years of our lives. Thank you Van for sharing just a few of your many memories of the time you spent in the military. I hope you and your entire family are well and healthy. Welcome home Van. Welcome home.
You're taking the high road, well done. Thank you for your service... but most of all, welcome home.
Welcome home and thank you. You’re a good man, mate
This is a mesmerising interview! Outstanding! Welcome Home Brotherman!
Welcome home, Van! 🇺🇲
I question the wisdom of posting personal information including sibling names, occupations, location, date of birth, etc on UA-cam. This depth of information can be used to target, scam, and otherwise take advantage of these fine Veterans, especially as they enter their senior years, I fail to see how it adds to the story, and believe that those parts of these interviews should be edited out.