Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 12 visited Manalapan High School to speak with students during an interactive presentation on November 7. 

Students were given a brief overview of the Vietnam War by the veterans. The group also received some hands-on demonstrations as select students were sent to “basic training” where a former drill instructor tasked them with sitting as one unit. Another student was also selected to model all the gear that soldiers would wear during a typical patrol, highlighting how heavy the equipment is. Students also saw what the veterans called the “original cell phone,” a roughly 25-pound communication device that would be strapped to a soldier’s back. 

After a question-and-answer session, Manalapan’s students were invited to view a selection of items including helmets, scrapbooks, and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat).