Journal of Transnational American Studies

The fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end provides a valuable occasion to examine the Vietnam antiwar movement and to elevate themes of friendship and peace that connect the mid-1970s to the contemporary moment. Elder Frank Joyce presents a worthwhile example of a white “veteran” of the civil rights and antiwar movements who senses new realities on the horizon and continuously reflects on the past to understand what is possible in the present and future. Having participated firsthand as an invited delegate in the April 30, 2025 commemorative events for “Re­uni­fication and Liberation” in Viet Nam, Joyce offers poignant comparisons between efforts to heal the wounds of war in Viet Nam and a proliferating “culture of peace” in the United States. Joyce’s example of firsthand involvement and continuous reflection allows the Vietnam antiwar movement, far from being frozen in a snapshot of protest and defiance, to emerge as a dynamic setting for envisioning a future beyond war.