How can war shape lives in profoundly different ways? Join us at the Van Meter Public Library for an Open Book program featuring Vinh Nguyen and Dr. Vincent Lewis, who will share personal stories shaped by the Vietnam War and invite you to reflect on how our experiences shape who we become.

Nguyen was born in Saigon and left Vietnam in 1981 as one of the Vietnamese “Boat People,” spending time in refugee camps before resettling in Des Moines at age 22. He will share the challenges of leaving home, adapting to a new country without knowing the language, and building a new life in Iowa.

Dr. Lewis, a Des Moines native and longtime educator and administrator, was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. He will reflect on how his experiences in war and combat transformed his goals and plans for the future, and how we respond to the events that shape our lives.

Come listen to two firsthand stories of the Vietnam War from very different perspectives, and join the conversation about identity, resilience, home and the experiences that shape us.