Times of Change - 2

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)
-Napalm
-Friendly Fire
-Shrapnel
-Being Shot at
-Booby Traps
-Bombs
-Snipers
-Grenades
-Machine guns
-Mortars
-Land mines
-Elephant Grass

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?

At the beginning of the story, Jack Smith wants to join the army, go to a war and have an adventure. His view changes as he sees people, friends also, die right in front of his eyes and he begins to hate the idea of war.

I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald
This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:

What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?
It is asking them to join the American Army and to go fight in Vietnam
… the “generals” to do?
It is asking them to kill the communists
… “Wall Street” to do?
It is asking them to make a lot of money by selling war supplies and supporting the war effort.
… “mothers” to do?
It is asking them to send their son's to the war in Vietnam
Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment.
-"What are we fighting for?" "Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.

-"We're gonna have a whole lot of fun."

-"Whooppee! We're all gonna die.

-"The only good commie is the one who's dead."