The Vietnam War Summit: Commanders-in-Chief [Day 1]

The Vietnam War Summit, Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Historians and presidential aides discuss the roles our presidents played in the war and how their leadership affected its outcome

Panelists-

H.W. Brands, Author and History Professor at The University of Texas at Austin

Alexander Butterfield, Former Aide to Richard Nixon

Tom Johnson, Former Executive Assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson; Former President & Chairman of CNN

Moderator: Brian Sweany, Editor, Texas Monthly

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About The Vietnam War Summit
When the LBJ Presidential Library was dedicated in May 1971, President Johnson proclaimed to the assembled crowd, "It's all here, the story of our time--with the bark off. There is no record of a mistake, or an unpleasantness or a criticism, that is not included in the files here." Accordingly, he wanted his presidential library to reflect not only the triumphs of his administration, but the failures, too--and he wanted us to learn from them to build a better future for our country.

In keeping with President Johnson's vision for his library, the summit will take a substantive, unvarnished look at the most controversial facet of his legacy: The Vietnam War. The goal is to shed definitive light on the war, its lessons, and legacy. It is also our intent to invite, include, and recognize the men and women who courageously served in Vietnam.

The passage of years offers greater perspective and an opportunity to elucidate the complexities of a war that altered not only our history, but our perception of ourselves as a nation. To look at it with the bark off may help us to move on stronger and more united. That would have been President Johnson's hope, just as it remains ours.

The summit is co-hosted by The University of Texas at Austin.

http://www.vietnamwarsummit.org