At Ease, Soldier: PVCC Veterans’ Initiative
Their stories are all unique. Their backgrounds, ethnicities, races, ages, genders, branches of the armed forces, and lengths of service vary. The resulting effects of their service in the military is something they all share in common. The Talking Service Initiative, a reading and discussion group for veterans, is a place where these effects, but especially reintegration into civilian life, are shared and discussed openly.
The group is reading The Great Books Foundations anthology Standing Down: From Warrior To Civilian, a collection of works involving service, war, and returning home. The readings include selections from great works, speeches, letters, essays, poems and personal accounts from soldiers both old and new. These stories provide varied examples of how the effects of military life have been impacting personnel throughout the ages. Over a four-week period the group will read 44 selections that are used as facilitators to encourage open discussion among the attending veterans of their personal experiences.
Though it is advertised as available only to veterans, Dr. Cliff Haury, the initiative’s facilitator and Dean of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences at PVCC, would like to encourage civilians, along with student veterans, to participate in the initiative in the future, stating that “Students have made significant contributions on the ethics of war.” He also said, “It’s an appropriate venue for students to hear the real life experiences of veterans and learn from them.”
As a Vietnam veteran, Haury has personal experience with the difficulties of reintegrating into civilian life. He believes that the civilian world has become largely disconnected from the enlisted world, and that this disconnect is making the transition from enlisted to civilian life even more difficult for veterans coming home from service.
Participating in this discussion group, listening to the stories, and witnessing the connections through mutual understanding is an awe inspiring thing. Haury hopes someday to build a connection between veterans and civilians. Building understanding in the civilian population into their struggle could lead to an easier integration for veterans.
If you are interested in joining in the reading or the discussion group, the Talking Service Initiative is being held Wednesdays Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Jessup Library at PVCC Main Campus. Seating is limited, so registration is required. To register, call Dr. Cliff Haury at 434-961-5380 or send an email to chaury@pvcc.edu. For more information, visit www.pvcc.edu/talking-service.
