As civilians, it can seem impossible to understand the true burdens of what it's like to serve in a war — how it hardens veterans' hearts and clouds their outlook on "normal" life when they finally come home. This emotional, mental and physical toll will be explored in a talk hosted by Humanities Washington, with author and Seattle Central College professor Jeb Wyman sharing his insight on the subject, drawn from hundreds of hours of interviews with veterans of the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. While it's undoubtedly a challenge for those fortunate enough to have never set foot in a war or a war-torn zone to offer sincere empathy, Wyman's research and this discussion use examples from famous writers and philosophers to help pin down what it's like for veterans to be haunted by the tragic memories of, and personal guilt over, what they've experienced. Wyman also shares how studying war through the lens of the humanities can help civilians and veterans find common ground, and heal together. This discussion event is well-timed, just a few days before Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11.
Coming Home: How the Humanities Helps Soldiers Find Meaning After War • Wed, Nov. 8 at 9:30 am • Free • Spokane Community College, Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities • 1810 N. Greene • humanities.org
