Vietnam: Still Part Of Who I Am
1986 · FPOSF 1102108 · Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Artist
- Bill McKenna
- Title
- Vietnam: Still Part Of Who I Am
- Release
- Vietnam: Still Part of Who I Am
- Year
- 1986
- Label
- FPOSF # 1102108
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA
- Genre
- Singer Songwriter · Singer Songwriter · Pop Rock
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
Bill McKenna served with the marines in Vietnam, and returned to the US disabled. He became a regular performer at the Skidmore Freedom Fest. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995. The title on the front cover, "F.P.O San Francisco", refered to the US military postal system, either known as APO (Army Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office). The San Francisco gateway dealt with overseas mail to Vietnam. (1) (2) He released this Vietnam-themed LP in the rock-pop genre in 1986, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The title song "Vietnam: Still Part of Who I Am" (FPOSF # 1102108) looked at a Vietnam veterans attempt to find his place in society - which had labelled Vietnam a failure and a mistake. It can be viewed as part of a 1980s, Reagan-era trend of nationalism, or attempt to overcome the "Vietnam Syndrome". Narrated in the first person, the veteran said that originally he did not want to go to Vietnam, but the experience and memories had helped to define him. But when he returned he "found the country in flames", and the government "were freeing draft dodgers while holding Calley to blame" - which indicated sympathy for the plight of Calley, and of course, criticism of those who avoided…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Draft Songs
Bill McKenna served with the marines in Vietnam, and returned to the US disabled. He became a regular performer at the Skidmore Freedom Fest. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995. The title on the front cover, "F.P.O San Francisco", referred to the US military postal system, either known as APO (Army Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office). The San Francisco gateway dealt with overseas mail to Vietnam. (1) (2) He released this Vietnam-themed LP in the rock-pop genre in 1986, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The title song "Vietnam: Still Part of Who I Am" (FPOSF # 1102108) looked at a Vietnam veterans attempt to find his place in society - which had labelled Vietnam a failure and a mistake. It can be viewed as part of a 1980s, Reagan-era trend of nationalism, or attempt to overcome the "Vietnam Syndrome". Narrated in the first person, the veteran said that originally he did not want to go to Vietnam, but the experience and memories had helped to define him. But when he returned he "found the country in flames", and the government "were freeing draft dodgers while holding Calley to blame" - which indicated sympathy for the plight of Calley, and of course, criticism of those who…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Died Atlanta, Georgia, USA (October 1995)
Themes
Vet · Military · My Lai · Pro-Calley · Draft Dodger · Patriotic · PTSD · Da Nang · Vietnam Syndrome · Mistreatment of Vet · Draft
In collections
Draft Songs · My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · P.O.W. / M.I.A. Songs · US Military & Veteran Songs