New York Times Features Veteran-Civilian Dialogue Project

The Veteran-Civilian Dialogue is important to both veterans and civilians. On Friday (Feb. 4) we held the twentieth dialogue in the project's history. The participants composed of more than eighty veterans and civilians gathered at Intersections' headquarters in New York City to discuss how war has affected their lives. As many can imagine, war is not an easy topic to discuss, particularly in a group as diverse and divided as ours. We heard from Vietnam vets still smarting from their treatment when they returned home 35 years ago, and 19-year-olds so fresh from Afghanistan they still didn’t feel safe going to sleep. Likewise we listened as spouses, friends, siblings, and children of veterans who talked about the agony of waiting, the walls created by silence, and the sadness of loss.

What made it not only possible but transformative and healing as well was everyone’s willingness to open their hearts and share their stories.  It is this sharing – initiated and guided by our three gifted facilitators—Larry Winters, Scott Thompson and Fred Johnson– that forms the core of Veteran-Civilian Dialogues.

Friday’s dialogue was attended by New York Times reporter Karen Zraick who authored, “Talking Out Loud About War, and Coming Home,” published Tuesday (Feb. 7th). On Friday (Feb. 11th) the New York Times also featured a photo from the evening in their "Week in Pictures" slide show. We encourage you to read and share these pieces with your friends and acquaintances. To get a sense of what a dialogue is like, including their power to touch lives across multiple platforms, watch this short video by Startled Cat.

Finally, to be kept abreast of what's happening with the dialogues, learn how you can help spread the word, and be notified of upcoming events; please visit the dialogue page on the Intersections International website and sign up for our mailing list. Questions about the project can be sent to Scott Thompson, Director of Social Dialogue and Training Initiatives, at sthompson@intersectionsinternational.org. Media inquiries can be sent to Joseph Ward III, Director of Communications, at jward@intersectionsinternational.org.