We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back 2015
Honoring Ventura County Vietnam Veterans in an exhibit that tells stories of their tour of duty through photos, text, paintings, video interviews and documentaries.
In early 2014 after reading in the LA Times that another Vietnam veteran had died I knew I had to do something. Many veterans were now in their mid sixties soon approaching their seventies. I'm a Vietnam veteran four years from turning seventy. I knew I could make a documentary but I wanted to create an event. Something that would honor the young veterans from Ventura County who died in combat and were forgotten by this country. Secondly, we needed to welcome and thank the veterans who had survived their tour of duty. After 45 years I felt we never received the welcome and respect we deserved. Since I had worked with MVC before I thought maybe we could collaborate. I met with curator, Anna Bermudez and the current executive director of MVC and pitched my 2 page concept. Shortly thereafter they gave me the go ahead. Special thanks to our team: Anna Bermudez, co-curator, Eric Howe, set designer, Bob Allen, sound engineer, Rob Yenney, writer and MVC staff. The following are pictures from the We Remember - Ventura County to Vietnam and Back Exhibition held at the Museum of Ventura County (April 15 - August 9, 2015).
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We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back 2017
Since the City of Oxnard suffered the most veterans killed in the Vietnam War and since it is my hometown, I thought the time was right to bring back the WE REMEMBER Exhibit. I had a meeting with a person from the City's Art and Culture department who requested a letter outlining the project. I wrote and gave her the letter around December 10, 2019. This person said she would see it through and get approval from the different departments including the City Manager. The letter established the Memorial weekend opening, scope of exhibit and requested the free use of SOCIAL SECURITY Building, a large, empty structure that had been vacant for years. It was perfect place for the exhibit since it was located in the heart of downtown Oxnard on 5th Street next to the Carnegie Art Museum and across from Plaza Park. I waited impatiently until the third week of January 2017. After a slow beginning as far as the approval of the Social Security Building, the production began with the assistance of Jesus Nava, Assistant City Manager and Carmen Ramirez, Mayor Pro Temp. Due to bureaucratic roadblocks the initial plan of opening on Memorial Day was pushed back to October 20, 2017 and playing through Veteran's Day and the beginning of the Holiday Season.
The concept of the exhibit was fully realized with the expertise of Ana Silva, assistant curator, Nick Sandoval, production assistant, David Zamudio, graphics artist, Xibeo, a local company responsible for panel construction and image enlargements and Robert Yenney, writer of text on the ten panels, Chris Gaynor's extraordinary photographs and Larry Chambers' paintings and artifacts. Special thanks to Sponsors for their contributions, the City of Oxnard's for their arts grant and use of building along with the Board of the Oxnard Film Society for their assistance before, during and after with the production of the exhibition.
The concept of the exhibit was fully realized with the expertise of Ana Silva, assistant curator, Nick Sandoval, production assistant, David Zamudio, graphics artist, Xibeo, a local company responsible for panel construction and image enlargements and Robert Yenney, writer of text on the ten panels, Chris Gaynor's extraordinary photographs and Larry Chambers' paintings and artifacts. Special thanks to Sponsors for their contributions, the City of Oxnard's for their arts grant and use of building along with the Board of the Oxnard Film Society for their assistance before, during and after with the production of the exhibition.
This exhibit opened on October 20, 2017 and closed on December 1, 2017 in downtown Oxnard, CA
Overview of Exhibition
1. A French Colony and Ho Chi Minh
2. WW11 and its Aftermath
3. The End of Colonialism and the Domino Theory
4. The Accidental President
5. Advisors and Antagonists
6. Gulf of Tonkin Incident
7. Choosing War
8. The Draft
9. The Tet Offensive
10. Vietnam Veterans and the Anti-War Movement
11. The Nixon Presidency and the Fall of Saigon
12. Honoring the Fallen
1. A French Colony and Ho Chi Minh
2. WW11 and its Aftermath
3. The End of Colonialism and the Domino Theory
4. The Accidental President
5. Advisors and Antagonists
6. Gulf of Tonkin Incident
7. Choosing War
8. The Draft
9. The Tet Offensive
10. Vietnam Veterans and the Anti-War Movement
11. The Nixon Presidency and the Fall of Saigon
12. Honoring the Fallen
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All photos by George J. Sandoval
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LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND MURAL PROJECT 2021
The Leave No One Behind Mural and Art Exhibit Continues in Santa Paula
Santa Paula, California – The Leave No One Behind Mural unveiled on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11am at The Corner Cottage, 925 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 to the community. A secondary art installation featuring veteran artists James Graca (Vietnam), Orlando Menchaca (Vietnam), Tomas Hernandez (Panama) and Huicho! (Afganishtan) was seen inside The Corner Cottage. Included in the exhibit is photographs by Veteran Christopher Gaynor of his 1966-67 tour of Vietnam along with ten picture plaques of the veterans from Santa Paula who died in Vietnam. The exhibit is curated by George J. Sandoval and will be open to the public until May 30, 2021. The Corner Cottage, owned by Vanessa Acosta, is open Saturday through Thursday, from 10am to 5pm. Information at 805.616.8272
The Leave No One Behind Mural Project is embarked by a coalition of veteran support groups, immigrant organizations, and academics. Through a multi-sited public art project entitled “Leave No One Behind,” the coalition urges the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to enact immigration policy to repatriate Deported Veterans, protect Childhood Arrivals, end family separation, and reunite families.
The mural was designed by Javier Salazar Rojas, a deported veteran who lives in Tijuana, Mexico.
Santa Paula, California – The Leave No One Behind Mural unveiled on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11am at The Corner Cottage, 925 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 to the community. A secondary art installation featuring veteran artists James Graca (Vietnam), Orlando Menchaca (Vietnam), Tomas Hernandez (Panama) and Huicho! (Afganishtan) was seen inside The Corner Cottage. Included in the exhibit is photographs by Veteran Christopher Gaynor of his 1966-67 tour of Vietnam along with ten picture plaques of the veterans from Santa Paula who died in Vietnam. The exhibit is curated by George J. Sandoval and will be open to the public until May 30, 2021. The Corner Cottage, owned by Vanessa Acosta, is open Saturday through Thursday, from 10am to 5pm. Information at 805.616.8272
The Leave No One Behind Mural Project is embarked by a coalition of veteran support groups, immigrant organizations, and academics. Through a multi-sited public art project entitled “Leave No One Behind,” the coalition urges the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to enact immigration policy to repatriate Deported Veterans, protect Childhood Arrivals, end family separation, and reunite families.
The mural was designed by Javier Salazar Rojas, a deported veteran who lives in Tijuana, Mexico.