Warrior Voices

Writing to Heal, by Cecilia Capuzzi Simon

"....it makes sense that sharing war experiences and fears would be an effective, or at least familiar, way to examine and overcome what Mr. Capp describes as 'the powerful sense of isolation' that greets most veterans once home.  They leave behind a culture built on teamwork for one that doesn't seem to value community, doesn't appear to be at war and doesn't understand them.

The military is looking to writing and other art forms, like painting and music, to help rewire the brain after trauma.  [Ron Capps asks] two fundamental questions: What is different about the military experience, and why do we bother writing things down?  

'We write,' he explains, 'to bear witness.' "