LA GRANGE — The Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives staff announced that historian and author James C. Kearney is returning to La Grange to present two programs on successive Thursday evenings in August.
On Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, Kearney will tell the compelling story of his tour of duty in Vietnam. Duty to Serve, Duty to Conscience: The Story of Two Conscientious Objector Combat Medics during the Vietnam War, written by Kearney and his longtime friend, William H. Clamurro, was recently published by the University of North Texas Press. The authors, both 1-A-O medics, describe the ethical challenge of serving their country during wartime while staying true to their principles. They were among a new breed of conscientious objectors who were more political than religious in their convictions.
Kearney, grew up and lived on a ranch near Columbus, served as a medic with an artillery battery in the 1st Infantry Division, and later as a Medevac medic with the 1st Air Cavalry. He states there are striking parallels between the dilemma faced by German immigrants in Texas during the Civil War and the situation he faced regarding Vietnam.
