Times of Change - Vietnam and the 60's pt.2

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)

• The fear if dying, and going in a body bag.
• Not knowing what war is really like.
• Having trouble during combat because he doesn't know what he has to do.
• Witnessing all of his fellow soldiers getting killed.

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?

- He hates everything or anyone involved in the war, and eventually builds up a hatred for all mankind.

I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald

This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:

What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?

- To put down their books and pick up a gun.

… the “generals” to do?

- To get all the communists and destroy the enemy completly.

… “Wall Street” to do?

- To supply the army with weapons.

… “mothers” to do?

- Pack their boys off to Vietnam.