Dear Friends and Supporters of Veterans and The Welcome Home Project,

We thought you might be interested in this article that came out yesterday in the NY Times, describing the kinds of writing that is being published by veterans who have served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/us/08military.html?scp=1&sq=Well%20Written%20war,%20%22February%208,%202010%22&st=cse

It is a kind of survey, naming some of the authors and a few of their ideas, but is frustrating in that there is no feeling for what they write about.  Surveys are like that, but the value of writing is in the personal, that which invites us in to feel with the authors something of their reality in war.  The article omits this, which in a way exemplifies the way the culture has been exposed to the wars and their reality.  It is all too distant for most of us, which separates the veterans from the community in a way that hurts us all.  Still, it is a really good reading list.

Along those lines, more and more universities are offering classes specifically to veterans to help them write about their experiences and some of them are using our film clip.  The University of Iowa writing program just finished its first ever writing class for veterans only, and they will be using our film to exemplify writing and to encourage other writers.   New York University has just finished a similar program in creative writing for veterans, and I know of a program just beginning at little old Rogue Community College in Medford as well.  Its happening out there, which is exciting and long overdue. 

Kim is in the midst of editing the documentary and my efforts continue with fund raising and outreach.  She will have something that we will put on the internet soon, but in the mean time, we continue to rely on your support encouragement as we keep after this.  Ways you could help:

Obviously direct donations are appreciated and needed, but there are many other ways that you can personally help to make this documentary film happen:

1.  Tell others about it, and freely hand out our web site to anyone interested.
2.  Join the Welcome Home Project Community Network on the web site. 
3.  Become a fan on the Welcome Home Project Face book page.
4.  Pass along introductions to men and women of means and influence whom you believe would be interested in a project about veterans and their families.

5 Most important, in large and small ways, let veterans and their families know that you care, in whatever way you can.  Play with their kids, walk their dogs, ask them to dinner, read their poetry, read about their issues, know that they are just normal people.

Take care and stay in touch.