High Noon Talk: Duty to Serve, Duty to Conscience
Programs
June 7, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Discover the story behind a native Texan, and conscientious objector, who served as an Army Combat Medic during the Vietnam War.
Event Details
High Noon Talks are back and better than ever! Get ready to discover interesting and often untold stories of Texas at our classic, casual lunch-time talk series.
Join professor, author, and Purple Heart recipient James Kearney for a talk about his newest book: Duty to Serve, Duty to Conscience, co-written with William Clamurro, which details his experience as a 1-A-0 conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. This classification allowed the men to serve their country in a noncombatant military role as Combat Medics. After the talk, Bullock Curator Lisa Sharik will moderate a Q&A with the audience so we can learn more about Kearney’s service and bravery. Be sure to visit the Bullock’s third floor gallery to view artifacts from Kearney’s time in Vietnam.
This program is available as an on-demand recording for CPE credit. To get access to the link and a certificate email Education@thestoryoftexas.com.
Jim Kearney grew up on a historic Colorado County Ranch between Weimar and Columbus where he still lives with his wife of forty years, Paulina van Bavel. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1969 with a dual major in History and German literature. Thereafter he was drafted and served as a combat medic in Vietnam. Dr. Kearney received his PhD from the Department of Germanic Studies at UT and taught German for a number of years. He currently teaches an upper division course on European immigration to Texas in the 19th century at UT, is the author of five books, and is currently working on several other projects.
Lisa Sharik is currently a curator at the Bullock Texas State History Museum. She spent 15 years as the Deputy Director for Collections of the Texas Military Forces Museum located at Camp Mabry. Ms. Sharik received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Archaeological Studies and earned her Masters Degree in Historical Administration and Public History from Florida State University.
Public programs at the Bullock Museum explore relevant history and celebrate the culture that has shaped our modern world. Through engaging discussions, performances, and scholarship visitors are invited to see local connections and discover how Texas fits into a broader national story.
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Banner image courtesy Jim Kearney
Secondary image courtesy University of North Texas Press
The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.
