For many veterans serving overseas, most notably during the Vietnam War, coming home was referred to as getting “Back in the World.”
“The World” was a place of normalcy, family, everyday acceptable and calm conditions…a place to forget the nightmare of combat. However, the reality of getting back in the World did not meet with these expectations for a great many Veterans.
The war hitched a ride back home with them in the form of nightmares, post-traumatic stress, ruined relationships, survivors’ guilt, and personally destructive behaviors. For these veterans, getting back in the World was the beginning of a new struggle.
Veterans of decades past and present-day have similar journeys of recovery, learning to live in a way that does not forget the past and those buddies that they may have lost, but of developing a new life of hope and strength.
For many veterans, spending time writing poetry, putting stories on paper, painting, playing music and involving themselves in other creative arts has helped to honor the past, remain in the present and to give rise to a stronger, more focused and well-rounded “self.”
The “Back in the World” exhibit highlights the artwork and poetry of veterans Bruce Canny, Harry Stritter, David Dvorachek, Jim Fox, Doug Olson, P.J. Bertz, Lenny Ellis and Pete Kern. As a fitting accompaniment, the “My War” exhibit of personal photographs taken while serving in the Vietnam War will also be on display. This special exhibit was created by June Abrahamson, former curator for The Highground Museum, and Professional Photography Curator Marissa Roth.
To achieve the interactive visitor experience of this exhibit, we are fortunate to have had the dedication and expertise of long-time volunteers, Barb Shain and Walt Wesenberg, in the construction of the interior display and for the refinishing work completed on several antique display cases which were donated to the Museum.
A heartfelt thank you to Larry Luzinski for the donated doors used in the display, bringing this exhibit to life. Donors who helped fund these exhibits are Marcia & Lindy Kendall and Virginia Stubblefield.
The Museum in The Highground Welcome Center will be open from 10am-4pm Friday-Sunday. For more information, please email Theresa at museum@thehighground.org or call 715-743-4224. Any changes to this schedule due to winter weather conditions will be posted on The Highground’s Facebook page.
The Museum will return to its normal schedule of being open seven days per week as soon as possible. For upcoming events and more, visit their website at thehighground.us or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.
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