Vietnam Changed My Life is a unique documentary told entirely by veterans who fought in an unpopular war, returning without a welcome, many with lingering injuries and PTSD. They tell gripping stories of jungle warfare in the Tet Offensive, Operation Dewey Canyon and Hamburger Hill against a determined enemy fighting on their own terrain.
Eight of the vets we interviewed are from the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area. They include Medal of Honor recipient Army Sgt. Allen Lynch and Jim Balcer who served in the Marines before being appointed Director of Veterans Affairs for the City of Chicago.
Help make this film a reality!
We are in the homestretch moving into post-production of this powerful and important film. Donations to our film are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor Chicago Filmmakers, a non-profit 501(C)3 organization.
Or you can send a check to Chicago Filmmakers 1326 W. Hollywood Ave., Chicago Illinois 60660.
Write Vietnam film in check memo.
4-Minute Trailer
Extended 15-Minute Trailer
Sgt Gary Heid
My former classmate Sgt Gary Heid tells how he was awakened to a dawn attack on his 29 men Army by the North Vietnamese Army battalion at Bao Lak that killed the Sergeant leading his unit. “I realized I’m in charge,” he said. He led his troops to safety across the river from their campsite, but eleven of his unit were killed and all the rest, except one, was wounded including Gary who returned home on crutches and in a fog.
Sgt Allen Lynch
Our interview with Medal of Honor recipient Sgt Allen Lynch shows why he was accorded the highest military honor, repeatedly crossing a field of fire to rescue wounded soldiers and returning fire to enemy forces which saved his unit.
John Sasse
John Sasse who was my next door neighbor invited us to a reunion of Bravo Company vets of the 101st Airbornei who survived the bloody ten day battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 which led to public debate about the continuation of a war that appeared unwinnable. John, Jerry Hoffman, Doyle Cable and Terry Taylor were trapped for three days without food or water in ‘the saddle” of the mountain.
Testimonials
“As real as it gets!”
★★★★★
George Bogdanich and Chris Pupillo have taken on the formidable task of producing a documentary that focuses on one of the bloodiest periods of combat in Vietnam and provides an intimate look into how these men returned to an often-ungrateful public—how it affected them and how they got on with their lives.”
Lt. James Tarleton
101st Airborne infantry battle of Hamburger Hill
“You can’t sugar-coat this stuff!”
★★★★★
“It is the personal stories of Vietnam veterans that make learning the lessons of Vietnam so important”
Medal of Honor recipient Army Spec 4 Vietnam
“An incredible achievement”
★★★★★
“War can be an abstract concept to teach, especially when most of my students don’t even personally know any veterans. It is critical that we humanize the experience of those who served so that everyone, but most importantly the leaders of tomorrow, understands the true cost of war.”
Melissa Ziobro
Military Historian at Monmouth College
“Powerful storytelling which is desperately needed”
★★★★★
“Excerpts from Vietnam Changed My Life are haunting, compassionate, moving”
Indiana DAV Commander and Vietnam
Dan Orlich
Helicopters brought food and weapons, transported soldiers to and from battle and to hospitals. Dan Orlich who grew up in Gary Indiana was a Marine Helicopter crew chief and door gunner who arrived in Vietnam hours before the massive battle of the Tet Offensive began in January of 1968. Pilots and crews were vulnerable to enemy fire and and many died carrying out their mission.
Bernadette Sanner
Wayne Smith
We interviewed Wayne Smith at the Memorial Wall in DC. Wayne first served as a medic on a hospital boat on the Mekong River and later as a combat medic near the Cambodian border. Oldest of eleven children that grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, he earned a degree in psychology to assist veterans suffering from PTSD. He also advocated for Veterans with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation which was co-recipient for their work with the International Committee to Ban Landmines. Seen here with President Obama.
Mike Thomas
Help us bring to life these powerful stories of perserverance and resilience!
Free Speech Films
Vietnam Changed My Life is the title of a riveting new documentary now in post-production. The film features Vietnam War veterans speaking from their perspective of fifty years later about a bitter and divisive conflict that changed their lives.