Register of the We Supported Our Men in Vietnam records
Finding aid prepared by Paige Minister
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2015
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: We Supported Our Men in Vietnam records
Date (bulk): 1967-1968
Collection Number: 93057
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5 manuscript boxes, 10 oversize boxes, 7 motion picture film reels
(15.1 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, memorabilia, sound and video recordings, and motion picture film related
to efforts in New York to mobilize popular support for American servicemen and prisoners of war in Vietnam both during and
after the Vietnam War.
Creator:
We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1993 with an increment in 1995.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], We Supported Our Men in Vietnam records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library
& Archives.
Historical Note
We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc. grew out of the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade, which was organized by New York
fire chief Ray Gimmler in 1967. The parade was held on May 13, 1967 along 5th Avenue in New York City and included thousands
of people in attendance. Gimmler was moved to organize the event after learning that demonstrators had burned the American
flag during an anti-war demonstration in April of 1967. The goal of the parade was not only to counteract the growing anti-war
movement of the time, but to show American servicemen in Vietnam that they had the support and backing of the American people.
Throughout the rest of the Vietnam War, the group was simply known as the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade Committee (sometimes
also referred to as the Support Our
Men in Vietnam Parade Committee). Gimmler continued to lead the group as director and chairman with John M. Connolly, Jr. and
Frank J. D'Amico serving as co-directors. In addition to proving that the majority of Americans supported servicemen abroad,
at this time the organization focused on many other issues related to the war, including the treatment of American prisoners
of war (POWs) and soldiers who were missing in action (MIA). They established the Council for Civilized Treatment of POWs
and became active members of other patriotic committees, such as the National Committee for Responsible Patriotism and the
National Committee for the Protection of Patriotic Americans.
In 1973 the group helped organize another parade in New York City, the Home with Honor Parade. It was held on March 31, the
day after the U.S. officially announced it would withdraw from Vietnam. Although smaller than the Support Our Boys in Vietnam
Parade, the Home with Honor Parade also drew thousands of attendees. Participants marched from Times Square to Central Park
behind approximately 1,000 servicemen who had recently returned home from the war.
In 1985 the organization officially changed its name to We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc. and shifted its focus to the
creation and distribution of the documentary,
At Home with Honor. It was composed of footage from different parades and events held for Vietnam servicemen, both during and after the war.
For a full list of the events covered in the documentary, see note in the U-matic videocassettes section of the Audiovisual
Material series.
During the organization's final years, the group distributed approximately 2,000 copies of
At Home with Honor to American Legion posts, U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, and Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
colleges. They also donated copies of the film to the National Archives and the Library of Congress and arranged for showings
of the film at local community, veteran, and political organizations. On October 24, 1989, We Supported Our Men in Vietnam,
Inc. received a George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for excellence in programs and
activities for their work on
At Home with Honor. The organization concluded its activities in 1995.
Scope and Content of Collection
The We Supported Our Men in Vietnam records contain correspondence, clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, memorabilia, motion
picture film, and sound and video recordings that document the organization's efforts to mobilize support for Americans who
served in the Vietnam War. The materials in the collection span the active dates of the organization, from 1965 to 1995, with
the majority of the materials being from the late 1960s and late 1980s.
Much of the material pertains to the Support Our Boys in Vietnam and Home with Honor parades, as well as the group's documentary,
At Home with Honor, created in 1985. In addition, the collection contains materials related to the Council for the Civilized Treatment of POWs
Committee, a subdivision of the organization led by John M. Connolly, Jr., and other patriotic organizations that Chairman
Ray Gimmler was active in.
The
Correspondence series contains materials originally organized and housed in binders by the organization. It includes several letters of
support and thanks from national and local New York government officials, members of the public, as well as servicemen and
their families. It also contains letters to television studios, political figures, and various organizations arguing that
the majority of Americans supported the troops during the Vietnam War, contrary to what was being depicted in the media. Press
releases and clippings regarding the group's activities and Vietnam veteran issues are intermixed throughout these files.
More of this type of material, as well as photographs of events, can be found in scrapbooks in the
Oversized Material series.
The
Audiovisual Material series contains footage of the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade held in New York City on May 13, 1967, as well as recordings
of Ray Gimmler's radio and television appearances speaking on behalf of the organization. It also contains copies of the organization's
documentary,
At Home with Honor, which was sent to a number of military and veteran organizations along with a questionnaire about the film. Completed questionnaires
can be found in the
Projects and Events series.
Posters, signs, and buttons from the various events the group participated in can be found in the
Memorabilia and
Oversized Material series. This includes material used in the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade, a "Free the Pueblo" demonstration, and events
regarding Vietnam POW/MIA issues.
Arrangement Statement
Within each series the materials were generally kept in the original arrangement and order of the creator. Original file names
were also preserved and are denoted by quotation marks. It should also be noted that the organization often used the terms
"boys" and "men" interchangeably in their name as well as in the title of their 1967 parade. For clarity, in this finding
aid "boys" was used when referring to the 1967 parade and the organization prior to 1985 (i. e. Support Our Boys in Vietnam
Parade and Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade Committee), while "men" was used when referring to the organization after 1985
(i. e. We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc.).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Motion pictures
Prisoners of war
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese
United States -- Armed Forces
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Public opinion
Correspondence
1967-1995
Scope and Contents note
Contains material originally housed in binders. It includes correspondence between the directors of We Supported Our Men in
Vietnam, Inc. and government officials, servicemen and their families, and members of the public with clippings, press releases,
and other printed matter dispersed throughout. Much of the correspondence consists of letters of support regarding the We
Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade and the documentary,
At Home with Honor. Some of the correspondence also includes letters written by or for other patriotic organizations that the directors were
involved with.
Because the creator organized some of these files by subject and others by correspondent, it may be necessary to search several
files that span the same date range when conducting research. Some correspondence also appears in the scrapbooks found in
the
Oversized Material series. File titles in quotations denote original file names used by the creator.
General
1967-1995
Scope and Contents note
Contains material from unnamed files.
box 1, folder 7
"Letters 1967-1968,"
1967
box 1, folder 8
"Gove[r]nors and Dignitaries,"
1967
box 1, folder 9
"NY State Officials and Legislature,"
1967
box 1, folder 10
"City Officials,"
1967-1968
box 2, folder 1
"Misc. and VIP Letters,"
1967
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence with various political and community organizations.
box 2, folder 4-6
"Letters from Organizations,"
1967-1968, undated
"Support Our [Boys] in Vietnam Parade,"
1967-1986
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence sent and received by members the group, then known as the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade Committee,
and not necessarily about the parade itself.
box 2, folder 7
"Best Letters from Servicemen in Vietnam War,"
1967
Scope and Contents note
Includes letters from servicemen thanking Ray Gimmler for organizing the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade, some of which
contain the writers' sentiments regarding how the anti- and pro-war movements in the United States are affecting them overseas.
box 3, folder 1-2
"Misc. Letters,"
1967-1973
Letters and press
1979-1989
Scope and Contents note
The term "corporation" in these files refers to We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc.
box 3, folder 4
"Letters to Corporation,"
1988-1989
box 3, folder 5
"Letters from Corporation,"
1988-1989
box 3, folder 7
"[Pre-1989] Information,"
1979-1987
"At Home with Honor Documentary,"
1984-1993
Scope and Contents note
At Home with Honor was a documentary created by the organization in 1985 and distributed by them to various military, veterans, and political
organizations. It contained footage of various events in the United States that were held in support of the servicemen in
Vietnam. For a full description of footage contained in the film, see the Audiovisual Material series. The group also distributed
a questionnaire to recipients of the film which can be found in the Projects and Events File series.
box 4, folder 3-4
"Letters - Press,"
1990-1993
Stock letters
1990-1993
Scope and Contents note
Contains copies of the letters that accompanied the At Home with Honor documentary.
box 4, folder 5
Air Force ROTC colleges
1990-1992
box 4, folder 6
American Legion posts
1993
box 4, folder 8
Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers
1990-1992
Projects and Events File
1967-1993
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of photographs and documents relating to the planning and execution of the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade on
May 13, 1967; the Home with Honor Parade on March 31, 1973; and the distribution of the
At Home with Honor documentary. See also related scrapbooks in Oversized Material. Arranged chronologically.
box 4, folder 9
Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade Committee file
1967
box 5, folder 1
"Home with Honor Parade and Photos, March 31, 1973,"
1973
box 5, folder 2
"Home with Honor Documentary: ROTC, V.A. Hospitals, Veterans Questionnaire and Answers,"
1990-1993
Note
For correspondence regarding the film, see the "At Home with Honor Documentary" file in the Correspondence series.
Chairman's File
1967-1990
Scope and Contents note
Contains material related to the organization's funding, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge award, and other material collected
by We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc.'s chairman, Ray Gimmler.
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge award,
1967, 1989
box 5, folder 3
Nomination materials
1967
Scope and Contents note
Includes a "Prefacing Statement" which summarizes the group's goals and accomplishments to date.
box 5, folder 4
October 24, 1989 awards ceremony
1989
box 5, folder 5
Funding materials
1989-1990, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes contracts, proposals, questionnaires, and correspondence related to the organization's funding from New York State's
Division of Veterans' Affairs.
box 5, folder 6
Miscellany
1989-1990
Scope and Contents note
Consists mainly of clippings and press releases related to We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc. and Ray Gimmler. Also includes
typescripts of two speeches given by Ray Gimmler in 1989.
Memorabilia
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains stickers and pins with pro-American sentiments and messages regarding Vietnam War POWs, MIAs, and the "Free the Pueblo"
incident.
box 5, folder 7
Stickers
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains 11 stickers and bumper stickers.
box 5, folder 8
Pins
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains 10 pins.
Audiovisual Material
1967-1989
Scope and Contents note
Contains motion picture film as well as video and sound recordings of We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc. activities. Included
are copies of the documentary
At Home with Honor and recordings of Gimmler's various television and radio program appearances he made representing the organization. Material
is arranged chronologically.
film shelf
Film Reel - Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade (3 hours)
1967 May 13
Scope and Contents note
Footage of the parade held on May 13, 1967 on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Spans four reels.
film shelf
Film Reel - Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade (30 minute version)
1967 May 13
Access
Use copy available on-site for immediate use. Use copy reference number: 93057_f_0011997_r01.
film shelf
Film Reel - Flag Day Ceremony, Yankee Stadium (7 minutes)
1967 June 14
Access
Use copy available on-site for immediate use. Use copy reference number: 93057_f_0011995_r01.
film shelf
Film Reel - Holland television documentary (34 minutes)
1971
Scope and Contents note
Documentary discussing the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade and related issues. Includes footage of the parade and of Police
and Fire Appreciation Day held in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 1970.
U-matic video cassettes
1985
box 14
At Home with Honor, documentary (34 minute version)
1985
Scope and Contents note
Includes footage of the following events: Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade in New York City, May 13, 1967; Flag Day Ceremony
at Yankee Stadium, June 14, 1967; Hard Hat Parade in New York City, May 20, 1970; Central Park flag raising ceremony, October
15, 1970; Home with Honor Parade in New York City, March 31, 1973; dedication of National Vietnam Memorial in Washington,
D.C., 1984; dedication of New York City Vietnam Memorial, May 6, 1985; and Ticker Tape Parade in New York City, May 7, 1985.
box 14
At Home with Honor, documentary (29 minute version)
1985
VHS video cassettes
1967-1989
box 15
Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade on Fifth Ave in New York City (1 hour and 45 minutes)
1967 May 13
box 15
Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade on Fifth Ave in New York City (30 minute version)
1967 May 13
box 15
Flag Day Ceremony, Yankee Stadium (7 minutes)
1967
box 15
Holland television documentary (34 minutes)
1971
Scope and Contents note
Documentary discussing the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade and related issues. Includes footage of the parade and of Police
and Fire Appreciation Day held in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 1970.
box 15
At Home with Honor, documentary (34 minute version)
1985
box 15
At Home with Honor, documentary (29 minute version),
1985
box 15
Recording of Ray Gimmler's television appearances (approximately 35 minutes)
1989 May
Scope and Contents note
Includes a May 28th appearance on the WWOR-TV, Channel 9 New Jersey television show "Point of View" and a May 29th appearance
on Channel 12, Long Island Network News discussing Vietnam War parades.
Sound recordings
1967-1989
box 15
David Suskind Show, WNEW-TV (2 hours)
1970 June 14
Scope and Contents note
Radio show discussing issues related to Support Our Boys in Vietnam. Spans two cassette tapes.
box 15
Barry Farber Show, WMCA Radio (2 hours)
1984
Scope and Contents note
Includes segements that aired on February 9 and March 3 of 1984 discussing issues related to Support Our Boys in Vietnam.
box 15
Joe Allen Show, WBAU Radio (1 hour)
1989 May 29
Scope and Contents note
Radio show discussing issues related to Support Our Boys in Vietnam and Home with Honor parades.
box 15
Ray Gimmler on
Dialogue 101, WCBS Radio (30 minutes),
1989 October 15
Scope and Contents note
Radio show discussing issues related to Support Our Boys in Vietnam and Home with Honor parades.
box 14
Barry Farber Show, WOR Radio (3 hours)
1967 May 29
Scope and Contents note
Includes guests Ray Gimmler, Martin McNeely, Edward Patantonio, Charles Willis, Lewis Klein, and Leon Becker discussing the
Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade and veteran issues. Spans four reels.
box 14
Audio of Veterans Day memorial services at St. John's Park, Stanford, Connecticut (1 hour)
1967 November 11
Scope and Contents note
Includes recording of speech given by Ray Gimmler. Spans three reels.
box 14
Barry Farber Show, WOR Radio (3 hours)
1969 November 20
Scope and Contents note
Radio show discussing issues related to Support Our Boys in Vietnam. Spans eight reels.
box 14
Audio of Holland television documentary (30 minutes)
1970
Note
See video recording description of Holland documentary above.
Oversized Material
1965-1990
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of We Supported Our Men in Vietnam, Inc. event posters and scrapbooks documenting the organization's activities.
box 13
Posters
1967-1985
Scope and Contents note
Includes various posters from the Support Our Boys in Vietnam and Home with Honor parades, as well as other events the organization
participated in.
Scrapbooks
1965-1990
Scope and Contents note
The scrapbooks contain photographs, clippings, correspondence, and other printed matter documenting the organization's parades
and other patriotic activities members participated in, especially related to the Vietnam War. Also included are material
specific to Ray Gimmler's participation in other organizations, such as the American Legion. Scrapbooks have been unbound
for preservation purposes.
box 6
"Support Our Boys in Vietnam,"
1965-1967
Scope and Contents note
Includes material related to different demonstrations Ray Gimmler participated in with the East Rockaway American Legion in
support of the troops in Vietnam.
box 7
Untitled
1965-1984
Scope and Contents note
Contains material related to the Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade held on May 13, 1967, Vietnam veteran and POW issues,
and the activities of group members, especially Ray Gimmler. Also includes several photographs of George Bush and meeting
with the Council for the Civilized Treatment of P.O.W.s Committee at the United Nations on April 6, 1967.
box 10
"Support Our [Boys] in Viet Nam [sic] Parades,"
1967-1968
box 11
"Free the Pueblo - 1968; Lights on for Decency - 1969,"
1968-1969
box 12
"POW - MIA Issue - 1969-1983; Home with Honor Parade - 1973,"
1969-1983
box 6
"POW - MIA Issue,"
1970-1972
box 8
"POW - MIA Issue,"
1972-1975
box 9
Untitled
1983-1990
Scope and Contents note
Contains primarily news clippings related to the return of Vietnam veterans to the United States. Also includes copies of
correspondence relating to the
At Home with Honor documentary and three photographs.
