by Travis Switalski, Sr. The Names of Rivers by Daniel Buckman, his second in a cycle of four novels, begins and ends a dark, heartbreaking tale of the multi-generational dysfunction between fathers and sons who have both survived the major wars of the American Century. The patriarch of the Polish-American family, Bruno Konick, once soldiered … Continue reading
American Soldiers: Ground Combat in the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam
Review: Peter S. Kindsvatter, American Soldiers (Lawrence: University of Kansas Press, 2003). by Jason Ridler, PhD All returning combat veterans face the challenge of explaining an experience that has no parallel, that is riddled with fear, blood and violence, and that has no “polite discussion” filter. Paul Fussell noted in Wartime: Understanding and Behavior in … Continue reading
Swords to Pencils: Thoughts on the Veteran Experience in Academics
by Daniel Buckman I saw the young veterans filing into my classroom before they saw me understanding them. They patrolled my school’s Greyhound terminal hallways where I taught English composition among rodents and balled fast food bags, a rundown college in Chicago’s Uptown where pistol fire popped in daylight hours from the three-way gang war over … Continue reading
The Dialogue of Our Demons
by Travis Switalski, Sr. I woke up this morning with the greatest idea for a story that I’ve had yet. The characters and their plight rolled around in my head as I ascended the stairs to the living room. I dug around in my assault pack for the leather-bound notebook I use to write down … Continue reading
Submissions Call for Think Pieces
Military Experience & the Arts is now seeking writers to contribute opinion editorial pieces for our weekly, Tuesday release. Subject matter should pertain to Veteran issues or experiences and should be at least 750 words and no more than 1,000 words. Not all submissions will be selected for publication. Please submit opinion editorial pieces to … Continue reading
An Interview with Jason Poudrier
by Vicky Smith Military Experience & the Arts (MEA) brought together military and civilian cultures during its second national symposium, held May 14-17 at Cameron University. According to a press release, MEA is “a national 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving military veterans and the artistic experience primarily through honoring unbiased creative expression.” … Continue reading
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