Traveling Vietnam Memorial Opening Ceremony Report

By Holly Shanks

Published on the AVTT Traveling Wall Website June 2013

 The Vietnam War is etched deeply in the memory of a generation that saw a nation divided and left painfully scarred with regret.

 The history of the Vietnam War is tangled in murky politics and fiercely differing public opinions. A person can read about it and watch hours of war footage, but the true meaning of what did to the American societal landscape is hard to comprehend for someone who did not live through that era.   

After attending The AVTT Traveling Wall opening event it became apparent that healing and closure may forever be intertwined with lingering pain and anger. The difference between the Vietnam War and other wars finally became clear. was simply not a war waged solely on foreign soil.

 The keynote speaker Joseph Frank eloquently phrased what could be observed by watching the veterans and visitors at The Wall.

 “ was a life-defining experience for every American who lived during that particular era and it continues to impact us all...we were unable to separate the politics from the people,” Frank said. “We must never allow to become disconnected from her military and never again allow a wall to stand between citizens and those who wear the cloth of our nation.”

Creative Flair Targets Great Cause - South County Times

By Holly Shanks

Published in The South County Times June 7, 2013

A local project honoring Vietnam Veterans is demonstrating there is no age, race, background or ideology that can not be bridged for a common cause.

In the fall of last year, the Sunset Hills Historical Society spearheaded the effort to make Louis one of the stops for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT). The historical society sprang to life when different local organizations, businesses, and citizens joined together in an effort that coalesced into the Show-Me Hero Salute (SMHS).

Some of the major items on the agenda for the included creation of a website, promotional materials, a logo and graphic design elements.

Enter Professor Chuck Groth of at Meramec in. He attended one of the early Show-Me meetings and said that both he and his students in the graphic arts design program would be happy to assist.  

KCFV 2013 Grogg Award Announced



Mike Cave 2013 Grogg Award Winner
All Photos by Bradley J. Rayford

By Holly Shanks 

Published June 2013 in The Forum Student Newspaper and on KCFV Facebook 

Recently, the student radio station, KCFV 89.5 The Wave, announced the 2013 winner of The Phillip H. Grogg Award at a ceremony held at the Terry M. Fischer Theatre.

KCFV annually recognizes one individual for outstanding leadership and dedication. Students involved with the radio program nominate a fellow station member they feel embodies what the Grogg Award is all about.

This year’s winner is , a STLCC Mass Communications student, who joins the 31 previous Grogg winners by receiving a golden microphone trophy, $500 scholarship and his name immortalized on a permanent wall plaque displayed at KCFV. 

Rock Block - Music Genre Haters: Not Cool

By Holly Shanks

Published June 2013 in The Forum student newspaper at Flo Valley

Birds of a feather flock together. That vintage old saying maybe a cliché, but, for the most part, stands as a true statement. It goes along with the idea that people who like the same things will gather together and enjoy each others company. That old bird cliché is usually true of music fans as well. Favorite Genres in music, let's take rock and roll, for example, because this is the Rock Block after all, have loyal fans and sometimes those fans can find it hard to like other types of music. This is nothing new, but the internet has provided a powerful and easy outlet for opinions and hateful degrading statements.

This blog-filled society has no shortage of music genre “haters” that fill cyberspace with rants. There are people who say they hate country music and label country music fans and singers as rednecks or hillbillies and those stereotypes are usually not at all used as an endearment. Rap music haters, pop music haters, gospel haters, the list of haters could go on for miles.  

Is this really something new or is ever-advancing communications technology simply amplifying what has always existed?

Let’s look at the rift between rock and roll fans and disco fans in the 1970s. Much has been made of this, shall we say, difference of opinions between fans of two wildly different and distinctive music personalities.