The falcon and the dragon: Vietnam and Fairfield Rural High School's class of '66.

Abstract

The year 1966 straddled two eras, the complacent '50s and the radical '60s. Much of the social strife of that time, spawned by the unavoidable clash of cultural values, revolved around the Vietnam War. While thousands of Americans spoke out against U.S. involvement in the conflict, millions answered the call of duty, honor, and country and served there. Among them were ten members of Fairfield Rural High School's Class of 166. While these men served at different times under widely varying circumstances, they did come to share a common experience of sorts. Beyond the physical journey of traveling 10,000 miles, they also journeyed emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually from the Home of the Falcon to the Land of the Dragon. And for each there came a point in time, place, and self when he saw through the confusion and doubt of everyday existence in a combat zone, when he beheld his own moment of truth.