For Veterans Day, Johnny Horton, a professor in Seattle's Clemente Veterans Initiative (CVI) at Antioch University Seattle, wrote a powerful piece in Crosscut about teaching literature in the Clemente classroom.
Profiling several of the veterans in his classes, including George Williams , Johnny makes it clear that the experience of CVI goes far beyond the texts. t becomes a place of bonding and healing.
At their best, the humanities create a community where members can share their experiences honestly without the fear of being judged. The second syllable of the word “community” descends from the Latin munitio , meaning fortification. It’s related to ammunition. Ultimately, I think the humanities build a community that fortifies against the dangers of isolation. The humanities reinforce our communal nature through communication. In this way, it feels religious, like communion.
--Johnny Horton in Crosscut
You can read the full article, along with viewing photos of some of the veterans in CVI, here.