Nebraska Stories
Still Fighting, Reunion and More
S6 • E4 May 22, 2015
Still Fighting - Liem Ha, a former South Vietnamese soldier, spent four years in hiding after the fall of Saigon in 1975. He eventually escaped and landed in Nebraska. In the 1980's, Ha often returned to Southeast Asia to live in a secret camp as he lead the fight against communism, efforts he continues today from Omaha. No Ordinary Reunion - In April of 1975, Kiem Do was deputy chief of staff for the Vietnamese Navy, secretly planning the evacuation of dozens of ships and thousands of soldiers as the North Vietnamese Army moved closer to taking Saigon. Dau Nguyen was one of his junior officers. Forty years later the two reunited in Nebraska. Their last conversation in 1975, their reunion in 2015, and the story of how they escaped during the fall of Saigon. Pilger's Finest - The double tornado that scoured a path through the town of Pilger and took two lives might have been enough to make some people quit, but not the students of Wisner-Pilger High School. Before there was a thought to ask, these good-hearted kids were already volunteering to help their town and each other. A silver lining if ever there was. Candide - Music and theatre majors share their insights on turning an adaptation of famed composer Leonard Bernstein's original work into an award-winning performance. See the activity behind the curtain of the University of Nebraska opera production of "Candide." Pedal Pusher - John Ringsmuth does what he loves. He builds unicycles. John built his first one back in the 1960's when he modified a tricycle. His six brothers thought it was so cool they learned to ride and still ride today. Since then, John has made bikes for his children and their friends. Now, he's making them for his grandchildren. It would seem the family who unicycles together stays together. Toadstool - Located within the Oglala National Grasslands, Toadstool Geologic Park is named for its unusual toadstool shape formations. This arid sandstone badlands with its unworldly natural sculptures looks more like a Star Wars movie set than a serene corner of Nebraska.
