Marian Fowler and Albert Fowler
Recorded
April 24, 2023
Archived
April 24, 2023
47:00 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv002414
Description
Spouses Marian Fowler (79) and Albert Fowler (80), teenage sweethearts who have been married for 57 years, discuss their lives and the many surprises they encountered. They talk about Albert's service and the difference between his view of the military as a child and his lived experience as an adult.Subject Log / Time Code
- Albert Fowler (AF) talks about his childhood. He grew up outside of Millinocket, Maine, a town of 10 -20 people. He had few close friends. His closest friend was his grandmother.
- AF and Marian Fowler (MF) discuss how they met and the story behind their marriage.
– AF recounts how, shortly after moving to Iowa, he received orders to go to Vietnam
- AF recalls that, during WWII, there was tremendous cohesiveness. He credits that atmosphere with developing a desire to serve. He shares about his recruitment to the United States Air Force.
- AF and MF talk about their family member who served and their inspirations for dedication to the country.
– AF shares a story about deploying.
- AF works through how having a child on the way changed how he looked at his service. He discusses disillusionment with the military because of the difference between what was happening in Vietnam and what was communicated to the American people.
- AF discusses being involved in Veterans for Peace.
- AF remembers that Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a warning about the military-industrial complex. He asserts that unfounded wars wound the soul of the country and shares how he has reconciled his patriotism with disillusionment.
Participants
- Marian Fowler
- Albert Fowler