New director brings personal experience to Vietnam vet center

William Linderman HOLMDEL — William “Bill” Linderman is standing in the center of exhibit space at the Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel, surrounded by a glass case filled with letters written by soldiers to their parents.

Each letter is handwritten, some expressing regrets, others sending messages of love.

“This really is dedicated to the 80,000 people — veterans — who went to Vietnam from New Jersey,” Linderman said, pointing out that some of the letters were from Neptune, Matawan and other locations in Monmouth County. “Out of that, 1,562 paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

A veteran himself, Linderman, the new executive director of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, understands both the pride and struggle of serving one’s country.

“We like to think of it as a museum and a place where people can come to visit and reflect upon what went on during that time and where we are now,” Linderman said. “People are comparing Afghanistan to Vietnam, and they come here and observe the parallels. One of the important things about this place is that we try to present both sides. We want to include all different points of view because it was such a tumultuous time.”

William Linderman brings his personal experience of serving in Vietnam to his new post at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation. Appointed to the position in November, he brings to the job a mix of business management, human resource skills and his personal expertise about the Vietnam War.

“We are confident that Bill’s tremendous work experience and broad skill set will help us take our organization to the next level,” said Jim Cusick, president of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation board of trustees. “We also consider ourselves fortunate that he also happens to be a Vietnam veteran.”

Linderman, of Lambertville, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, and a master’s degree in human resource management from Nova University.

But it was his military roots that led him to Holmdel. Linderman was born at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., an Army base. His father attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York State.

“I was looking around on the Web and found this particular position and thought, ‘You know, I haven’t really given back,’ ” Linderman said. “ ‘I haven’t really joined any veterans’ groups, and now, this is something I can do.’ I am so glad to be here.”

Linderman’s journey to Vietnam began while playing bass in a band in the 1960s.

“I had an opportunity to play rock ’n’ roll with a guy from Canada,” he said. “I used to say I was going to drop out of college for a little bit because I just longed for that. We traveled through Canada and through different states up north, and one day I got a knock at my door and it was the FBI.”

His music was put on pause because he was drafted. Several months later, he hopped on a bus and went to Fort Knox, Ky., for basic and advanced training.

“Then they ordered 22 of us to go to Vietnam, and that’s how I ended up there,” he said. Linderman served inVietnamfor one year from 1966 to 1967.

“I quickly came to the realization that I needed to get back in school,” he chuckled, but then he reflected on what it was like when he first arrived.

“There are a lot of images in Vietnam,” he said. “I think every veteran will tell you what it’s like getting off the plane — the searing heat, the density of the air ... there was a lot of rain and monsoons.”

At first, he was in a support ammunition unit that stored and delivered ammo and Agent Orange. After six months, he became an aide for the new colonel who came into the troop.

“I saw a lot of things … some disturbing, some heartfelt,” Linderman said. “The one thing that really stuck in my mind was that I was a draftee. There were a lot of people that didn’t go. It is portrayed here in the education center that there is a whole tension between those who went and those who didn’t go. It’s very complex. This is a place where we discuss that.”

The interior exhibit, designed by the firm of Ralph Applebaum & Associates in 1996, is the only Vietnam education center in the entire nation, Linderman explained. It was constructed to complement the open-air memorial pavilion outside the facility.

The museum features historic photographs, text, and videos with touch screen capabilities. The center also has a movie screen that showcases oral history from veterans.

“This is an amazing group of people,” he said. “We have over 50 volunteers and it is their home. It is a place where they can come and reflect, and they know their memories are here. They can be immortalized here and bring their families and have really great discussions. I love it. The staff is incredible.”

Linderman has worked for various major corporations, including AT&T and Chemical Bank. Since 2006, he has served as president of WorkForce Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in customized training in sales management and customer service for national and international companies.

He also served as vice president of chapter operations for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America in New York, establishing fundraising initiatives for 40 chapters across the country.

He still plays music, too. Linderman plays keyboard and sings in a rock/blues band called The Lifters.

For 2010, Linderman is embarking on a public education and outreach program for the education center. He is also seeking connectionswithNewJersey veterans to encourage them to join the foundation as members and volunteers and through donations.

New projects are also in the works. A display of a replica of a troopship is planned for the education center in the fall. The research library is being refurbished for public use. Statewide scholarships are also available for students looking to study history.

“We want the public to visit,” he said. “We are reaching out to inner-city schools and seeking funding from corporations and individuals to help us reach into those schools and help us serve the underfunded schools to get them here. It is such an important part of American history. They can see the transition that has taken place.”

The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located off Exit 116 of the Garden State Parkway. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.njvvmf.org.