Supporting Veterans in Central Arkansas

Through an NEH grant, the Central Arkansas Library System gathered veterans and civilians to reflect upon experiences of war. In the Dialogues on the Experience of War program, veterans participated in eight weekend retreats over two years. They read and discussed nonfiction, novels, poetry, and oral histories and shared their stories. During expert-led trips to national museums and memorials in Kansas City and Washington D.C., veterans visited the National World War I Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Archives, and the National Portrait Gallery. One participant described one trip as “eye opening and emotionally moving. I saw, touched, and experienced things that I will always remember.” Overall, Fiction & Fact offered veterans the chance to reflect on their experiences and establish bonds with each other and the broader Arkansas community.

“I feel more connected to other veterans and much more connected to civilians because we are able to explore so many perspectives.”

–Veteran participant

Drawings of American soldiers made by French school children during World War I in gratitude for the U.S. military joining the effort to defend their country, shared with program participants by the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Photo Courtesy of project director Alex Vernon.

One way the grant brought non-veterans into the conversation was through four public film screenings followed by expert-led discussions. In conjunction with the Arkansas Literary Festival, Fiction & Fact also assembled primarily-civilian audiences for several readings, panels, and lectures. Highlights of the extensive programming included a lecture by Sebastian Junger, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Restrepo (2010) and author of War (2010). With 265 attendees, Junger’s lecture drew one of the largest audiences ever gathered for an Arkansas Literary Festival event. Veteran participants had multiple opportunities to share their own writing through panels at the festival. Multiple pieces were published by this cadre of emerging veteran authors over the course of the program in publications such as storySouth and WLA: War, Literature, & the Arts.

The curator of the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City tells program participants about the artifacts and archives housed there. Photo Courtesy of project director Alex Vernon.

In their responses to an evaluation survey, participants unanimously indicated they would recommend the program to other veterans and participate again themselves given the opportunity. Many pointed to the support they received from the community through the program. “It has helped me tremendously in the transition from military to civilian life,” wrote one participant. “I have a much broader perspective and understanding than I would have on my own.” Others emphasized rediscovering a love of literature: “This has been a very meaningful and cathartic experience for me, and I’m setting aside time to read for pleasure for the first time in many years.”