Media Type

Moving Image

Physical Location

Stacks D25.4E

Copyright Statement

This item is copyrighted

Number of Media

1

Language(s)

English

Format

VHS

Digitized in HD?

No

General Note

In November, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated amid great anger and frustration. The anger was calmed when a mysterious veteran, accompanied by a group of people in black jackets, walked through the crowd to the apex of The Wall, and began singing, while holding a Gold Star Mother in his arms. The veteran was Britt Small and the group was his band, FESTIVAL.
This video begins with a flashback sequence of Britt walking along The Wall, remembering back to combat in Vietnam, the 1982 memorial dedication, and FESTIVAL, standing in the trees on the hill. This is the true story of a Vietnam veteran who meets a Gold Star Mother at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and walks with her along... "The Wall".
Britt Small served as a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) in Vietnam in 1970, is a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal and is working to restore unity among veterans across America. The Gold Star Mother was Mrs. Beda Shafer, of Lima, Ohio, whose son served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and died in Vietnam.

General Note

Executive Producer- Britt Small
Associate Producers- Mark Reinig, Ray Roth
Directors- Ray Roth, Linda Waba
Cameras- Dan Hohn, Linda Waba, Sharyl Ann Smith
Editing- Sharyl Ann Smith, MArk Reinig, Dan Hohn
Audio Recorded at MAX STOUT STUDIOS- Skidmore, MO

Lead Vocals- Britt Small
Bass Guitar- Ray Roth
Drums- Mark Reinig
Keyboards- Becky Reinig
Steel Guitar- Stan Funston
Trumpet- Don Struve
Acoustic Guitar- Dan Hohn

Video Post Production- Ascension Inc. - Northumberland, PA
Gold Star Mother at Allentown, Ohio Cemetery - Beda Shafer
Gold Star Mother at "The Wall"- Marge Etense

Special thanks to the Festival Family
Special thanks to the U.S. Parks Service and the Dept. of Interior