In late February, the VBC, in partnership with Unlikely Collaborators, held its first annual StoryFest in Santa Monica, California. During this three-day storytelling festival, attendees toured the USS Iowa, immersed themselves in Vietnam narratives through new technology, heard from women veterans who smashed the brass ceiling, watched a theatre performance by a Vietnamese American playwright, met authors at book signings and witnessed firsthand how the legacy of war is passed on through generations. Thank you to all who participated. Planning for StoryFest 2027 has already begun. Stay tuned for more information.
(Chris Frawley Photography – unless credited otherwise.)
Authors and USMC veterans Karl Marlantes and Elliot Ackerman in conversation.
Veterans Hanna Rozzi, Ellen Haring, Joy Bronson and Wednesday Avedisian on stage to talk about equality for women in the Armed Services and the upcoming documentary The Fight to Fight. (Joe Skorupa)
Author and Vietnamese refugee Le Ly Haslip with her book Child of War, Woman of Peace.
StoryFest Director Daria Sommers talking to veterans Joy Bronson and Ellen Haring, filmmakers of The Fight to Fight.
Conversation and book signings.
Actor Cody LeRoy Wilson performs his one-person play Did My Grandfather Kill My Grandfather?
Army veteran and author John McBrearty signs his book.
Former US Coast Guard Commander and Vietnamese refugee Marc Nguyen joins VBC Executive Director Todd DePastino on the USS Iowa to tell his story.
Vietnam veteran Ron Hathaway and Neuroscientist Dan Panfili discuss the use of immersive technologies to tell veterans’ stories.
Vietnam veterans Steve Foreman and Ron Hathaway share experiences.
Author and USMC veteran Brian O’Hare with fans of his book.
Author Joe Peterburs, veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, greets a fan.
