​During the Vietnam War, American civilians played pivotal roles in supporting both military operations and humanitarian efforts, working through government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Thousands of these civilians were women, and we talk with several of them tonight! Ann Kelsey was a UCLA graduate when she volunteered for the Army Special Services to serve in

We screen and discuss Steven Mancini's new documentary Fedeltà, Soldier, Prisoner explores the remarkable and largely untold history of 1,231 Italian prisoners of war (POWs) held at Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania between 1943 and 1945. Captured during World War II in North Africa and Sicily, these soldiers were among the 52,000 Italian POWs sent

We play two rounds of Jeopardy with clues based on the military experience, culture, and history. Everyone in our Zoom room can raise their hand and answer a question. Categories include Service Academies, Army Gadgets, Military Slang and more! Here are some sample clues: “This Air War first happened on June 27, 1950 between a

We talk about the "Flying Coffins" of World War II that silently transported troops, weapons, and equipment behind enemy lines . . . getting lots of troops killed and wounded in the process. Glider warfare experts Monique Taylor, author of Suicide Jockeys: The Making of the World War II Combat Glider Pilot, and Bill Bonnamy,

We welcome 99-year-old WWII veteran George Rubin, a veteran of the 8th Air Force, 486th Bomb Group, 835th Squadron. George graduated high school in 1943 and was drafted soon after, initially training as a pilot before being reassigned as a B-17 armorer and waist gunner. At just 19 years old, he joined his crew at

VBC Open Conversation is a friendly, interactive gathering of veterans, friends of veterans, and history nerds where we discuss whatever aspects of military service, past or present, or the veterans community that are on our minds. Join us to swap stories, good and bad, at home and overseas, old and new. At the VBC, veterans