On Monday, the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) visited CBA to speak to multiple history classes about their experiences defending the United States.

VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.

The group of 11 veterans gave a presentation on what life was like during the Vietnam War. From limited meals to wearing the same clothes for weeks at a time, the CBA students got a glimpse of the reality these brave men faced during the war.

During the speaking portion, they dressed one student in full battle gear, just like the troops wore in the 1960’s. Including 25-pound radio equipment and multiple weapons, these men had to carry upwards of 100 pounds of gear while walking miles at a time.

The veterans also set up a display of items from the war era. They even brought inactive grenades and battle weapons to display.