Martin Tucker and the Vietnam Photo Project: 'A Thousand Words' Martin Tucker and the Vietnam Photo Project: 'A Thousand Words' Lynn Felder Aug 17, 2019

Honoring Veterans and Giving Thanks

Sunday, 07 November 2021 10:04

“We have so much to be thankful for.  One day a year hardly seems adequate…” - Anonymous

This quote means so much and is a special reminder for me when celebrating Thanksgiving.  And on behalf of Wilkes County Public Library staff, we are especially grateful for all the community partners and Library Friends who contribute to making our library a place where everyone can be empowered and inspired. 

We would also like to recognize all the veterans in our community and extend a special thank-you for their service.  In honor of Veterans Day, the library’s community room is showcasing a photography exhibit by Martin Tucker, Vietnam veteran and photojournalist.  Stop in the library through the month of November and see Vietnam photographs brought home by North Carolina Veterans. 

Tucker’s exhibit, A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans, has traveled nationally for the last 15 years and is now permanently on display at the Museum of History in Raleigh.  We are honored to have a portion of Tucker’s work to share with our community. 

According to Tucker, “The photographs paint as broad a picture as possible . . . of what 18- to 20-year-old young men experienced in their year away from home (in addition to combat)—and how they chose to document it. They’re showing what they couldn’t say.”

This month the library’s Talking Service Book Club will meet in Wilkes Library to discuss Tucker’s exhibit and view a short film that talks about how he collected and curated the collection of photos.  Talking Service Book Club is open to everyone; active duty, veterans, civilians, and meets at 10:00 a.m.  on November 12 (same time monthly, every second Friday).

Also of note, a special Veterans Film Festival takes place this month hosted by Ashe Library and Parkway Theater, in West Jefferson.   Last year, The Talking Service Book Club acquired veterans to the group virtually when meeting via Zoom.  This year, those ‘long-distance’ veterans, who happen to be documentary filmmakers, are visiting us to share their work.   Save-the-date to meet Ken & Betty Rodgers and see their films.  Ken is a Marine who fought in Vietnam’s battle at Khe Sanh and his film “Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor,” features veterans who share their stories of combat and survival from that period.  His film will be shown from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 18.   Betty Rodgers has just released a film called “I Married the War.”  Her film will be shown from 10:00 a.m. – noon on Saturday, November 20 and features wives of combat veterans from World War II to the present-day Middle East wars.

On November 19, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Ashe County Public Library, Ken & Betty will be available for a meet-and-greet event.  Stop by and talk about the films, share stories, and ask questions.  There will be other guest veterans onsite, and we welcome all to come out. 

For more information and questions about the event see Wilkes Library’s Facebook page or call 336-838-2818 (x241)   

Media

"I Married the War" Directed by: Ken and Betty Rodgers