Fall of Saigon 50th Anniversary: “Voices from Vietnam”

The Vietnam War came to an end 50 years ago when North Vietnam troops captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam on April 30, 1975. Among the U.S. troops fighting in Vietnam, 147,403 soldiers were from Missouri. One of these veterans, born in Missouri and raised in Columbia, tells his personal journey from war to reconciliation. Larry Rottmann served as a lieutenant with the 25th infantry Division during 1967-68. Since his service, Rottmann has made 23 post-war visits to Vietnam. His story is intertwined with original poetry, music, photographs and video in this award-winning documentary written, narrated, and produced by Rottmann, who resides in Springfield, Mo. The one-hour film includes photographs taken during and after the war by Rottmann and Trong Thanh, a North Vietnamese Army photographer. The film includes additional video footage by director Mark Biggs of Springfield, who accompanied Rottmann on multiple trips to Southeast Asia. Original music was composed and performed by Ray Castrey.

Rottmann, Biggs, and other members of the film crew will answer audience questions after the screening.