Is there a way that both veterans and civilians can find common ground and a place to heal together? The answer is yes and the place is the “Veteran-Civilian Dialogue,” a unique event that will take place Friday evening, May 6 at the Sterling Forest State Park Visitor Center. “Together we’re a stronger voice,” says Scott Thompson, Director of Social Dialogue and Training Initiatives at the sponsoring organization Intersections International. The New York City-based non-governmental organization is dedicated to promoting peace through dialogues like this and has already held more than 25 similar events around the country since it was founded in 2007. Locally, the evening will be hosted by Hudson Valley’s Veteran Family Support Alliance.
“This is a significant resource for reintegration of veterans and civilians to each other and the communities in which they live,” explains Thompson, a psychologist and former army chaplain. “The Veteran-Civilian Dialogue further addresses the need that both groups have for relationship, resiliency and the overlooked struggle with the moral and psychological impact of war and the debilitating consequences that occur long after deployment.” The dialogue is jointly facilitated by Thompson and Larry Winters, a Vietnam veteran and licensed mental health counselor who is also trained in group process.
“These kinds of dialogue events represent a national movement that increases awareness about the shared impact of war on us all,” says Thompson. “It furthers advocacy and creates shared responsibility and support for veterans and civilians and their obligations to each other.”
Limited to about 70 total participants, the dialogue pairs participants in small intimate conversation groups and uses the arts and creative expression from both veterans and civilians to create a truly unique experience.
“In one broad brush stroke we talk about the impact of war on both groups,” explained Thompson in a recent interview with Ray Graf on WAMC. “We create a level playing field so that both of these groups can have an honest conversation.” There are many themes to be touched on – anguish at loss, feelings of disconnect, flashbacks and simple coping. One issue that is patently avoided: politics. “That’s off limits,” says Winters, who is author of the book ‘The Making and Unmaking of a Marine.’ “The focus is rather on establishing human connections as a way to create a new kind of unity. When people arrive they may be strangers, but when they leave, three hours later, there may be new friends, new connections and healing on many levels.”
This Veteran-Civilian Dialogue will be held at 6:00 p.m. at 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY at the Sterling Forest State Park Visitor Center, and due to space limitations, an RSVP is mandatory. If this event is filled, there is another dialogue taking place in June 2011 in New York City. For more information, visit www.intersectionsinternational.org; http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/02/11/nyregion/20110211WIP-5.html;http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/nyregion/08vets.html; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/25/veterans_support_n_853338.html
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