News
War veterans find an outlet through writing their stories
The pointer
jlutz715@uwsp.edu
Many veterans and their families have important stories they want to tell about their journey and experiences with nowhere to express them. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is hosting a writing workshop so they can do just that.
On Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dr. MJ Smoller-Phillips, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, will conduct the writing workshop for veterans and their families.
“This workshop will provide an opportunity for them to write their story to gain a fresh insight to help understand those hard experiences and heal from them,” said Smoller-Phillips.
Smoller-Phillips had been a creative writing teacher since 1987. She has won many awards and started many programs including Operation: Making Peace. This helps returning combat veterans and their families to register and reconcile the difficulties of military experiences with civilian and family life.
The organization then puts on workshops like this event offered at UWSP.
“This workshop is for veterans and their families to have an outlet for their thoughts. There are no expectations. They can write stories, poem, or letters. It’s just a way to get their feelings out,” said Winton Miller, president of UWSP’s vet club.
Workshops like this started for veterans of Vietnam to express their feelings from the war. Many veterans had trouble dealing with things they faced in the war with no way of expressing them.
“Many veterans go through ‘episodes’ where they are mentally transported back to the war. They may last a few seconds or minutes. We’re here to teach them how to overcome these,” said Miller.
Many veterans also may feel they don’t have a place, especially here on campus. This workshop offers a safe, secure, non-judgmental place for all who come, Miller said.
The workshop is also open to help family members of veterans.
“Veterans may not come forward themselves so we want to be able to help family members cope and know how to help those they love,” said Miller.
“The sooner they deal with this, the sooner they can move on with a normal life,” said Miller. “Yes, it’s therapeutic, but it’s also so much more.”
For anyone wishing to share their story or learn from others; forms can be returned to any of the following locations by Nov. 3: Information and Ticket Center, Student Involvement and Employment Office, Veterans Club Office, Room 64 of the Dreyfus University Center or to Anne Whipp, Room 0101, SSC. There are 20 seats available in each session.
The deadline will be extended if seats are not filled but sign up now to secure your spot.
