It's been almost three months since the final performance of Piece of My Heart and about 8 months since the process began. Yet the impact this show made on my life, and I believe the lives of others, is still very evident, especially on the holidays that honor our veterans. This fourth of July, I've been inspired to write a little about how my patriotism has developed and grown as a result of the facts of war this play taught me.
Patriotism has been a process for me. I was raised wearing red, white, and blue every July and can recount some exuberant performances of "Grand Old Flag" in my living room. In high school, I took an AP US History course which opened my eyes to both the triumphs and failures of the USA. There was a lot in the history that was hard to swallow. America wasn't this perfect flawless nation I had believed in as a child. There were pieces of history that were downright shameful. But there were also pieces of American history that were so victorious. And I began to understand the value of history and was proud that America was willing to confront and remember its mistakes in order to move into a brighter future. I left that course very proud to be an American, where we were using our history (good and bad) to move forward. It was not long after I finished this course, however, that action began taking place to ban it. Advocates for the removal of the AP US History course claimed it was "anti American." It really upset me to see that the American ideal of not sugar coating our past was more present in my high school history class than in the government. Then we began Piece of My Heart. This play pulls up some filth that no one wants to remember, but everyone should. So much suffering happened during the Vietnam war because of a lot of painful mistakes of the government. I was learning all about this huge chunk of American history, and what scared me most was that I had NEVER studied it. Not even in my history class that was otherwise so thorough. This realization combined with the fact that Vietnam is a gruesome black spot in American history made my disdain and cynicism grow.
Yet like I often do, I got so caught up in the forest that I forgot to see the trees. Along with the pain the play surfaces, individualized stories of heroism emerge--and the impression is much greater.
This play is about people. History is about people. This country is about people. People make mistakes, but they keep moving forward. America makes mistakes, but we keep moving forward.
America is our country thick and thin, easy and hard. Many men and women have given everything for this country even when they didn't agree with it. The least I can do is stand proudly for my country, even when I don't agree with its decisions.
We are America right and wrong, for better or worse. This is what Piece of my Heart taught me about patriotism.
In good and bad, I believe in this country.
America is our country thick and thin, easy and hard. Many men and women have given everything for this country even when they didn't agree with it. The least I can do is stand proudly for my country, even when I don't agree with its decisions.
We are America right and wrong, for better or worse. This is what Piece of my Heart taught me about patriotism.
In good and bad, I believe in this country.
I asked some of my fellow cast and crew members if they had gained a new sense of patriotism from the play. Here are their thoughts:
Andrew Schneider (soldier): I would say it made today (Memorial Day) more emotional than just a day of remembrance like usual for me. In the past I've always thought about the soldiers that have fought for our country, but I feel after the play it connected it more for me, made it more real to me. So that's what I would say, it made it more real and I came to realize that what all these soldiers did was real and they all have their own story.
Ashley Sarver (director): I chose to direct this play because I believe in patriotism and love America. As I did further research about war during this play, my roots into patriotism grew much deeper. God bless America!
Matt Larson (soldier): I would say that my time with the play- my role as a soldier, particularly- helped bring to life the experiences I've heard about but never really understood. The pain, frenzy, confusion, desperation, and loss that were seen and demonstrated were made more real for me than any movie ever. I can now say I am only one step closer to truly understanding what the veterans who served our country gave, but even going through a reenactment of that made a world of difference. The feelings were mine, not someone else's, and after feeling that and reflecting I am now more grateful than ever before for those who made those sacrifices for our country and our freedom.
Jessica Arzuaga (army nurse): Piece of My Heart changed my perspective of patriotic holidays. Before the play, I didn't even know what Memorial Day was about. It helped me to have a lot more respect for those who have served our country. It made me wants to talk more about soldiers and veterans with other people because I can't be the only one who didn't know what the soldiers gave. Before this play, I didn't see what the soldiers had gone through and I was too young to really understand. I appreciate a lot more of what they do. America isn't free. Nothing is free. They paid for it. And some didn't even want to give their lives for our country, but they did. That's really brave.
Dan Flynn (soldier): I am a very unique case in the fact that I come from a military family. That being said, my thoughts towards patriotism haven't changed a HUGE amount. This point of view has granted me some insight into views of the military and the government. For example, when a president is elected that my dad (the military family member) he doesn't like or disagrees with their policy or makes a poor decision, he's told me in the past that part of being in a position in the military, and being patriotic as a whole, means owning the decisions that your countrymen make. He has also reminded me on several occasions that presidents are people too and when they make mistake they need some grace too.
Lisa Hartman (dramaturge): As the historical researcher, a big part of my research was reading and listing to interviews of the men and women who served in Vietnam and the experiences they had while in the service. It was sometimes difficult to read exactly how much these people lost while serving their country: as Martha states,"time, lives, money, resources, ME". While war results in moral failings, pain, and death, it was also spectacular to read about the heroics, strength and comradeship displayed as well, from treating injured enemies to preserving others' spirits. This is what memorial day is about; celebrating the lives of the ones who gave everything in service, and remembering the joys and pains they experienced.
I post this in the hope that I can share the important growing patriotism of a group of students. This is a meager and humble salute to America in a way. But I also hope that writers and teachers who read this recognize the absolute importance of uncovering the truth about history. Despite its flaws, we must trust that Our America (right or wrong) will shine through.
Happy Independence Day and thank you to all who have served. I hold you in the highest respect.
Ashley Sarver (director): I chose to direct this play because I believe in patriotism and love America. As I did further research about war during this play, my roots into patriotism grew much deeper. God bless America!
Matt Larson (soldier): I would say that my time with the play- my role as a soldier, particularly- helped bring to life the experiences I've heard about but never really understood. The pain, frenzy, confusion, desperation, and loss that were seen and demonstrated were made more real for me than any movie ever. I can now say I am only one step closer to truly understanding what the veterans who served our country gave, but even going through a reenactment of that made a world of difference. The feelings were mine, not someone else's, and after feeling that and reflecting I am now more grateful than ever before for those who made those sacrifices for our country and our freedom.
Jessica Arzuaga (army nurse): Piece of My Heart changed my perspective of patriotic holidays. Before the play, I didn't even know what Memorial Day was about. It helped me to have a lot more respect for those who have served our country. It made me wants to talk more about soldiers and veterans with other people because I can't be the only one who didn't know what the soldiers gave. Before this play, I didn't see what the soldiers had gone through and I was too young to really understand. I appreciate a lot more of what they do. America isn't free. Nothing is free. They paid for it. And some didn't even want to give their lives for our country, but they did. That's really brave.
Dan Flynn (soldier): I am a very unique case in the fact that I come from a military family. That being said, my thoughts towards patriotism haven't changed a HUGE amount. This point of view has granted me some insight into views of the military and the government. For example, when a president is elected that my dad (the military family member) he doesn't like or disagrees with their policy or makes a poor decision, he's told me in the past that part of being in a position in the military, and being patriotic as a whole, means owning the decisions that your countrymen make. He has also reminded me on several occasions that presidents are people too and when they make mistake they need some grace too.
Lisa Hartman (dramaturge): As the historical researcher, a big part of my research was reading and listing to interviews of the men and women who served in Vietnam and the experiences they had while in the service. It was sometimes difficult to read exactly how much these people lost while serving their country: as Martha states,"time, lives, money, resources, ME". While war results in moral failings, pain, and death, it was also spectacular to read about the heroics, strength and comradeship displayed as well, from treating injured enemies to preserving others' spirits. This is what memorial day is about; celebrating the lives of the ones who gave everything in service, and remembering the joys and pains they experienced.
I post this in the hope that I can share the important growing patriotism of a group of students. This is a meager and humble salute to America in a way. But I also hope that writers and teachers who read this recognize the absolute importance of uncovering the truth about history. Despite its flaws, we must trust that Our America (right or wrong) will shine through.
Happy Independence Day and thank you to all who have served. I hold you in the highest respect.
