Vietnam and Desert Storm Veteran Shares His Perspective
In an interview The Beacon conducted with Chief Master Sergeant Craig B. Bergman, USAF (Ret.), one of the longest-serving Volunteer Veterans at the Joe Foss Institute, he revealed that he has been passionate about the Institute’s work since before he even knew it existed.
The Beacon (TB): Please tell us a bit about your military background.
CMSgt. Bergman: I enlisted in the Air Force in 1970, and retired in 2007 as a Chief Master Sergeant. I served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Northern and Southern Watch, Operations Provide Comfort and Provide Promise, as well as other Operations over the years. Besides the Middle East, I have served in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
TB: Thank you for your service to our nation.
CMSgt. Bergman: It was my honor.
TB: How long have you been presenting in classrooms?
CMSgt. Bergman: I started when I was on active duty, as far back as pre-Desert Storm---which was before the Joe Foss Institute had even been founded. Later, I found out that the Institute had been launched. Of course, as someone who has studied history and loves it, I knew who Joe Foss was. I found the organization online, called their office, and was thrilled to discover that they were doing the same thing, nationwide, that I was already doing. I jumped in, and it has become a significant part of my life.
TB: Before you heard of the Institute, what sort of presentations were you doing?
CMSgt. Bergman: I did things like Veterans Day and Memorial Day awareness programs. I would bring in an honor guard, a rifle team, show videos and answer questions. Similar, really, to the presentations we make now.
TB: What motivated you then—and what motivates you now?
CMSgt. Bergman: It is critical that we provide civics lessons where we talk about citizenship and the Constitution. When we were growing up, we took civics classes, in addition to history, but kids don’t always get those lessons today. In many cases civics classes have disappeared, and it is becoming increasingly rare for some of the kinds of lessons we grew up learning to be taught in the context of a history class.
The beauty for teachers is that they receive a free civics lesson for their class, and a class period that sort of offers a breather for them in the midst of their demanding schedule.
I am also incredibly passionate about the need for our children to understand history. By presenting in a classroom, history sort of comes alive. When someone walks in to share stories that might seem a bit dry in a textbook, the children are energized. By presenting in the classrooms, we can help the teachers and supplement what they are already doing by talking about patriotism, the Constitution, the significance of our freedoms, and what it means to be a good citizen.
TB: Do you find that other veterans are interested in what you do?
CMSgt. Bergman: Yes. So many are already interested in giving back in some way, and I think that JFI offers one of the best ways for veterans to make a difference in their communities. I get so fired up after being in a classroom, I just love it. The kids are so great. I try to get them thinking about patriotism in an out-of-the-box way. I like to make it fun and always interactive, including talking about the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
TB: Please share an example of getting them to think outside of the box.
CMSgt. Bergman: I enjoy asking students if they think their teachers are patriots (they ARE, by the way). There is usually a mixed response when I ask that, and I get the students talking about the real definition of a patriot. It is fun to challenge them to broaden their definition of patriotism. I want kids to understand that everyone can serve, and that everyone can help to make this country a better place.
TB: What are your presentations like today?
CMSgt. Bergman: Well, I use the materials that the Joe Foss Institute has created (videos, for example), and I am looking forward to the new videos that I understand will be released for us to use sometime soon. In some cases, the classes have already watched the videos by the time I get there, but whether they have or haven’t, the videos can lead to great questions, and that’s when the presentations go the best, when the children ask questions.
I try to do things to break the ice early in the presentation. For example, I bring in all of the types of helmets I wore, and gas masks, and ask the students to guess why I might have worn each one. After breaking the ice, I spend a few minutes on my experiences and then speak about patriotism, our country, and citizenship. Usually there are a ton of questions.
Often when I walk into classrooms, the teachers have already prepared the students and they have questions written down to ask me. Those are fun ones.
TB: What sorts of questions do you get?
CMSgt. Bergman: That’s one of the great things about kids: they’ll ask anything. And I make it clear, before I ever go into the classroom, that any question is fair game---nothing is off the table. There are, however, a few questions I won’t answer. Children often ask what I call “blood and guts” questions and I do not answer those, for example.
But they also like to know about weapons I’ve used, and whether I’ve ever killed someone. It gives me an opportunity to talk about the ugliness of war, and the courage it takes to stand up for what is right. I answer in a way that is age-appropriate, and I don’t dwell on the topic, but I do want them to know the price that has been paid for our freedom.
I also get a lot of questions about my ribbons and decorations. I always wear my blues when I visit classrooms. I believe it provides a greater degree of professionalism, and that it still does inspire a level of respect. Plus, it often leads to questions from the students.
TB: How do the students respond to your presentations?
CMSgt. Bergman: That’s the best part. I usually surprise them by giving them a homework assignment. They aren’t expecting it, but near the end of the presentation, I give them this challenge: The next time you are out and about and you see a person in uniform, or a person wearing a “World War II Veteran” or “Korean War Veteran” hat, for example--or any other type of veteran hat--simply approach them, hold out your hand, and say ‘Thank you for serving.’ Watch their faces when you thank them.
The students respond very energetically to the challenge. After the presentation is over, students will approach me to ask more questions. Very often, a student will come up, hold out his or her hand, and say “Thank you for serving.” It is a wonderful experience.
I have a drawer full of thank you letters and notes I've received from children. The teachers obviously have the students write them, but the students take their time, often draw pictures, and they are priceless. There is no question, when I read the notes, that this program is meaningful to them.
I’m honored to be a part of it.
TB: Thank you for volunteering, and thank you for your time.
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All schools that invite the Joe Foss Insitute to bring its Veterans Inspiring Patriotism program to their campus are eligible to receive free American flags for their classrooms, along with copies of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
This program is delivered at no cost to schools by The Joe Foss Institute. The Institute does NOT promote any political, religious or military organization or agenda.
If you would like to schedule your school or youth group for a presentation, simply fill out our online request form with your desired presentation date.
If you are a veteran or active duty service member and would like to volunteer to give presentations, please fill out this form.
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