Reading and discussion group participants gather around documents during their visit to the Wolfsonian-FIU. Image courtesy of Florida International University.
As part of the Dialogues on the Experience of War program, Florida International University hosted War and Healing: A Century of Veterans’ Reintegration. The program consisted of a facilitator training and two, four-week long discussion series. Using works of art, archival documents, oral histories, and literature as a starting point, participants explored themes around the intersections of reintegration, remembering war, health, becoming a veteran, and relationships. In addition to helping veterans reflect on their experiences, the program helped build the capacity within the local community to serve veterans, both now and in the future.
“There’s no magic to ‘heal’ a veteran with all our different experiences. But, this truly helped in my path to healing.”
–Survey respondent
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Dialogues participants explored art, archival documents, oral histories, and literature to explore themes around reintegration. Image courtesy of Florida International University.
The materials they explored left a lasting impression on participants. Ninety-four percent of participants felt the discussions gave them an opportunity to talk through their experiences, and 100% felt the program helped them consider perspectives and experiences different from their own. One participant stated, “The diversity of all the readings from every war era … are all forever with me … and opened my eyes to others’ experiences and also our likeness.” Another participant reflected on their favorite part of the program, stating “even knowing [we] are generations apart, we have a little in common.”
Facts & Figures
94%
of survey respondents felt the discussions gave them an opportunity to talk through their experiences
Facts & Figures
100%
of survey respondents felt the program helped them consider perspectives and experiences different from their own.
While serving participants, the program forged robust partnerships with the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, the Florida State University Institute for World War II and the Human Experience, and the Miami Vet Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These partnerships allowed the program to extend its impact as it created a network of veteran-focused discussion facilitators prepared to serve an array of Florida institutions. The program now serves as a model for university and Department of Veterans Affairs partnerships in hosting humanities-centered programming.
