Vietnam War Veteran
Steve Kenney
Interviewed by:
Emma Wright and Shannon Wanamaker
1970
2016
"I'm still a nice person, and that's what counts, just be a nice person."
~ Steve Kenney (21:07)
Name:
Steve Kenney
Date of Birth:
November 11, 1949
Branch of Service:
Army (173-Airborne)
Dates of Service:
June 1968 -
September 1970
Location of Military Service:
Vietnam
Residence at Time of Interview:
South Yarmouth, MA
Steve Kenney's Story:
Mr. Kenney entered the war in Vietnam when he was only eighteen years old, volunteering for the Army’s Airborne division. His family was heartbroken to see their child enter the threatening environment of war, however, they were understanding of Mr. Kenney's decision to join it. They trusted him to make a responsible choice because people who fought in World War II had raised him. The process of joining the war proved Steve Kenney to be a courageous man, choosing to fight for his country. He risked his own life for the good of the people, even though he wasn’t required to. Little did he know, the experience of war would impact his life in more ways, some negatively and some positively. After Mr. Kenney's extensive training, he was sent overseas to Vietnam to officially fight. He traveled to many places throughout his experience and met some unusual people along the way. Mr. Kenney made many friends and lost some, but was fortunate to make it home alive. Although Steve Kenney had the privilege of returning home safely, he learned that some of these friends were not as lucky. After returning home from Vietnam, Mr. Kenney moved to Cape Cod to help his parents during their elder years. Steve Kenney never had any children, and perhaps that experience was taken from him because of the war. Despite not having children, he found happiness in newly discovered talents and became more in tune with himself after Vietnam. Today, he is a skilled painter and craftsman. Steve Kenney has found a way to live with the memories of war and continue on his path of life with unwavering kindness and compassion.
(Left)
A map of war target areas in Vietnam, as indicated by the red spots are large arrows. (Note: To expand the map, click here)nBoxes listed on left from top to bottom read:There are two major monsoon seasons in South Vietnam. Generally, it rains heavily from May to September southwest of a line "Tuy Duc-Ti Linh", and from November to March north of that line. In the "dry" season many areas that were swampy in the monsoon turn to dust. Wet and dry seasons vary considerably in both time and intensity from area to area. Sanctuaries were established from Laos and Cambodia near the South Vietnamese borders. Some 70-80 base areas had been built inside South Vietnam. Some larger ones are depicted. The top right box reads: Infiltration routes from North Vietnam came across the DMZ and down the "Ho Chi Minh" Trail. Men and equipment also entered from the sea.
This coin is highly significant to Steve Kenney's journey post-war. Many of his friends and others after war struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, leading to devastating suicides and grief. Mr. Kenney himself suffered from an alcohol addiction, that affected his life in a negative manner. He decided he would break free of the deadly bottles that controlled his life, so he joined the AA, Alcoholics Anonymous. The AA awarded him this Recovery Coin when he reached an entire year of sobriety. This coin is a heavy reminder to Mr. Kenney that each day of sobriety is a day to be praised and awarded.
(Left) Steve Kenney's trench boots.
Worn during time spent in Vietnam.
A poppy flower accompanies the boots. The bright red flower is associated with war, reminding all to remember the bloodshed and terror created and posing as a tribute to those that have fallen on the battlefield.
Steve Kenney and Trench Foot
Most often, people associate war with its brutalities, focusing mainly on the blood, guns, and violence. However, one sometimes forgets the importance of the other brutalities. Trench Foot, an immensely painful brutality of war, is a medical condition brought on by the conditions of war. Furthermore, Trench Foot is most often connected with Vietnam. This is due to the causes of the condition aligning with the weather of Vietnam, as the condition is caused by prolonged exposure to damp surfaces, which are common in the tropical climate of Vietnam.
Below are a few poems inspired by Steve Kenney's experience in Vietnam (written by Emma and Shannon)
(Painted by Lewis Isaac)
When God Comes Looking
If God were to look upon us now,
would He care about the crown?
The power that the people seem to desire,
would He find it all worth while?
If it were God who came knocking,
would his expression be so shocking?
found in your home the blood of American young,
would He find the hatred from which this all sprung?
If I were He, and He were I,
we'd look upon where they lie,
we'd look upon the filth of murder,
the weight of your sin greater than a steel girder.
If God were to look upon us tomorrow,
would He still find here our sorrow?
(Painted by Greg Manchess)
The Trench
Two more hours and then it will be
time to dive under, about three feet
around me, screaming, excess debris
maybe I'll hide, would that be wise?
escape from reality-
no, that's my demise
Two more hours and then it will be
time to take arms, try to be free
the sound of the shots aimed at me
should I run, would that be wise?
that would be worthless,
I am not quick to rise
Two more hours and then it will be,
time to go back, back in the trenches
and that is all I can guarantee.
(Painter Unknown)
The Canon
One,
it rolls over hills,
crushing, destroying,
counting the kills
Two,
it's cold and unforgiving,
metal, man created,
leaving not a soul living
Three,
the stench clings like perfume,
did you hear him say fire?
Boom!
Painted by Steve Kenney
All is Well