Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Reflections on Dennis Mannion's presentation...

Please post your reflection on the presentation below.  If you have any questions, please post & I will share w/ Dennis Mannion.  Reminder: If you wish to make a small donation to the Veterans of Khe Sahn, please bring that in by Friday, 11/18.  Thanks!

20 comments:

  1. I thought that was a very well put together presentation. I was amazed at how Dennis and the other soldier avoided death when the mortar hit the space between their foxholes. Also, what surprised me was when Dennis told his mother to throw out all of the pictures he sent home from Vietnam. That took a lot of time to get all those pictures and the photos showed his life, so throwing them out would be like tossing days of his life out the window. I'm glad his mother kept them and that he regreted telling her to. Dennis's stories were surprising and sometimes sad, but life is like that.

    -Meglin Bodner (per. 5)

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  2. I liked Dennis’s story I thought it was well told and that the picture he showed help me understand what he was talking about and also what he went through. I also like how he had the last picture of himself in 3 points in his life and how he became a monster that could and never be the two other in the pictures. I also liked how he shared all those stories with us even thought he almost went in to tears because the subject was so emotional to him. I am glad that his mom didn’t get rid of the pictures he took because I think those made his presentation and easier to relate to. I have a much deeper of an understanding of “The Thing They Carry” after that presentation. I would like to thank him for doing all of that for our class and for bring in this like the towel or the bomb shell as example to show the whole class.
    -Austin Fries (per.7)

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  3. The presentation that Dennis gave was haunting to listen to, and I imagine it was not pleasant to withstand. Sitting there, listening to how many times people were killed or were near death made me look back on my own life and showed me not to take anything for granted. What I learned is that the slightest wrong move can change your future so much. The photos we were shown could’ve seemed so happy or innocent, but then when Dennis told us smaller details about it, I was shocked and everything I saw was so different from that point on. War transformed him into someone completely different than what he described to us as how he was when he was younger. He was a care-free kid who lived recklessly. It was difficult to put in my mind that horrifying things can happen to people. I thought Dennis’s story of going into the war would’ve been to have gotten out of school, live his life, and then get drafted. Hearing him say that he enlisted was not what I expected. All in all, the presentation was very inspiring and heart-wrenching. I thank Dennis for his time to talk to us, and for the time he put fighting in Vietnam.

    ~Rachel Hanchuruck, p5

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  4. The presentation that Dennis gave to us was breath taking. Sitting there listening to everything he told us, made me feel like I was there and going through it with him. It was defiantly a life changing story to hear. When he started crying towards the end it was hard for me to keep the tears in. The presentation was put together perfectly, I wasn't confused about anything or wondered anything he had every detail that anyone would want to know. I really enjoyed the presentation and would go to another one of his within seconds.

    Ashlie Forsberg
    Period 5

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  5. After seeing Mr. Mannion's presentation, I was in shock after realizing how cold and harsh wars really are, especially the Vietnam war. I was inspired by his speech and it taught me a few life lessons as well such as focusing on school and not messing around in school and ruining your education. He reflected on me as a very brave and true American soldier. I pay my respect to him for what he did for the country that I am living in now.

    James Carbone
    Period 5

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  6. Mr. Mannion's presentation was very interesting both good and bad ways. I never knew how miserable it was in Vietnam until he told us every little detail about his time in the service. The presentation had an impact on my views of the war. Even though it was a horrible time, his pictures of him and his buddies gave my view of the Vietnam war another side, a happier side that at least he had friends there. After all the stories he told us, I am thankful that this man is alive and well enough to come talk to us about this war. He is a brave man and I honor him for fighting for our country to keep us safe.

    Henry Lau
    Period 5

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  7. After hearing about Mr. Mannion's experience in Vietnam I was shocked. I wasn't aware of the types of things that occurred during the war. I took many important things away from his life stories. One major thing I learned was that you really don't understand what the soldiers have put themselves through in order for us to have the freedom that we do. I was most intrigued by the pictures that he was able to present to us. By seeing the first hand pictures I was able to really see what it was like to be in Mr. Mannion's position. I'd like to thank him for taking the time out of his schedule to come and speak with us. Also for the hard work and dedication to his country when it needed him the most.

    Dylan Carleton
    Period 5

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  8. I only went to a little bit of the presentation, but I really enjoyed it. I really like the way he talked and got out attention. It was boring or not attention grabbing. It was very captivating I listened to every word and thought about it and imagined it. It was really cool everything he showed us. Like the pictures and the props. The pictures made it feel a lot more real. Like to visualy see what he was explaining. His presentation really moved me. It made me laugh when we joked. It made me sad while he told us about the deaths. I really enjoyed him. I would have loved to say thank you for you time at school and at the war.
    Pierina Lopez period 7

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  9. I feel that the presentation given by Vietnam war vet Dennis Mannion on November 9 was truely inspirational. It was moving to hear the parts of Dennis' life during the Vietnam war, and it was made easy to visualize being there because of the array of pictures he'd shown us. It wasn't a typical presentation; you could tell from the silence overtaking the crowd that we were interested in what Mr. Mannion had to say. I could easily say that I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation and wouldn't mind hearing him speak again in the future. I wish to thank him for serving our country, as I hadn't had the chance to after the presentation ended. ////Summer Harvey period 5

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  10. I Think that te presentation given by Dennnus Mannion was very interesting. He's also a great speaker and he really makes you listen to him. The pictures made it easier to understand the emotions he felt and it made me feel what he felt and it also made me understand what is like to be there in Vietnam. I want to thank him for coming to speak to us and i think he should come again.
    Mario Murillo
    Period 7

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  11. Dennis Mannion's presentation really opened my eyes. You always hear about how bad the war is, but it really doesn't hit you to how bad it is until you hear about it from somebody that was actually there. He actually went through his story as though he was there again. All of the pictures he shared with us made all the emotions come alive it wasn't just another photograph especially when he explained what was in each photo. It wasn't just an ordinary presentation. He actually captured everybody's attention which is hard to do. I'd like to thank him for all that he has done for our country and for taking the time out of his schedule to come and talk to our class
    Kelsie DePino
    Period: 5

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  12. I liked Dennis Mannion's presentation I learned a lot from him and there was stuff I didn't know. You were drafted and I was supprised to hear that he just wanted to go not a lot of people didn't want to go so it took a lot of bravery to do that. I liked all the pictures he showed us and how explained them made feel like we were really there. I was very thankfull for him coming in to talk to our class i really learned a lot.
    Nick DeBroi
    period 5

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  13. After listening to Dennis Mannion's presentation on Vietnam, I really understood what the war was like and how it can change a person. I really enjoyed the pictures he showed us because it helped me see what war looks like.I also appretiated how he told us personal stories and how he didn't sugar coat anything, he was straight forward. It was a great presentation
    Emma Corbett
    period 5

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  14. Being at the presentation really opened my eyes and made me realize how things were in Vietnam. It made me see how war can really change a person in many ways that you may not think it could. People write about it or write about experiences from what they heard, but it doesnt hit you until you hear it from a person who has experienced it themselves. The pictures were helpful to picture being in the spot Dennis was in. Not only did it mean something to have him come in and speak, but it also taught us life lessons and to pay attention in school and not just slip by. If i was to ask Dennis questions, it would be "would you have changed your decision in going into Vietnam if you had better grades and/or didnt slack?" I would like to thank him for coming because it was a very inspirtational presentation.

    Amanda Genovese (period 7)

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  15. i think the presentation was great. He showed the real side of war that is poorly portrayed in movies. Nobody understands the ruthlessness and anger for each opposing side unless you yourself is in the war and experiencing it. He does a great job by sort of making you feel what he felt just by telling the stories the way he did. it wasn't like you can you liked these stories because you cant. I believe these stories should be told and should be disliked so that we can better our views of the world and what goes on in war.

    -Dave Travisano

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  16. Mr. Mannion's presentation had my attention the whole time he was talking. His real life stories are ones that hit you and make you think about what really did happen in the war and what the soldiers went through. You can read all the books in the world and know the knowledge but it’s the real life things that change a person and the way you think. After Mr. Mannion talked to us, the way I think about the war has changed for the better. Now I am even more grateful for our soldiers and all the things they do for us to live in freedom.

    Jenny Flynn

    period 7

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  17. I enjoyed Mr Mannion's presentation. He showed an inside point of view of what war was like. It was very eye opening to hear personal stories that werent always heroric or about battles. It showed the true sides of war not shown in movies. The pictures were a great visual aid to his stories and i liked them alot.

    Matt O'Neill Per.7

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  18. I really enjoyed Mr. Mannion's presentation. I learned alot about the War and it really interested me. His stories had a lot to offer me about growing up and making decisions in my life. I would love to hear from him in the future.

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  19. I really enjoyed Dennis' presentation. It taught me a lot about what the war was like and I really liked the slideshow that he prepared. His stories about growing up and his childhood really intrested me. I learned a lot and was very touched about the things he said.

    -Karlie Komoroski

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  20. Dennis Mannion's presentation was very enjoyable and inspiring to me. While he was speaking it made me understand the true hardships experienced in Vietnam. I have read many stories told by other soldiers, but the way he explained each picture and went back in time changed my point of view about the war. I appreciate Mr. Mannion coming in to speak to us. His presentation connected with the book that I am currently reading "The Last Lecture." Like "The Last Lecture" his presentation inspired me to have a different perspective on life as a whole. The quote that stood out to me the most was when he said "I will never buy a lottery ticket because my luck has run out." This is an example of how the past can have an affect on a persons future.
    Bryanna Willaby
    Period7

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