An event to recognize Veterans Day and honor three Vietnam War soldiers from Canton for their service will be at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 in Merillat Chapel on the campus of Culver-Stockton College.

Three local Vietnam War soldiers on Veterans Day panel

CANTON, Mo. — An event to recognize Veterans Day and honor three Vietnam War soldiers from Canton for their service will be at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 in Merillat Chapel on the campus of Culver-Stockton College.

The three combat veterans will share their personal experiences in uniform and comment on the changing nature of current national service, American foreign policy and the evolving complexion of modern warfare. They will offer their perspective on the issues confronting the United States, both 50 years ago in Vietnam and today in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

The event seeks, in part, to disabuse students of preconceived notions of the Vietnam War inspired by Hollywood portrayals by introducing them to men who actually were on the ground.

Scheduled to speak are:

  • Jerry Prather, a sergeant in the U.S. Army’s 199th Light Infantry Division.
  • John Carter, a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Army’s 1st Calvary 82nd Airborne Division.
  • Gary Bunch, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force’s 31st Combat Support Squad.

Also invited to participate are two Culver-Stockton students: Andrew Schaad of Springfield, Ill., a specialist with the U.S. Army’s Inland Cargo Transportation Company, and Brian Wutt of Wauwatosa, Wis., a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Air Command Support.

Chad DeWaard, an associate professor of political science, will moderate the event. The panelists will be available for questions after the conclusion of the event at 12:30 p.m.

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Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.

NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.

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