Veteran-Civilian Dialogue

Veteran-Civilian Dialogue

Philosophy

War throughout the ages has impacted soldiers and civilians alike. Yet war’s mythic role in national life often hides the wounds it exacts on all members and dimensions of our society. One wound is that veterans and civilians have had a long history of being unrelated to each other. And both have paid a painful price.

Many veterans are separated out from the whole of society by their very roles. Some often face or participate in brutal and traumatic events that can remain with them forever. Without meaningful ways to share their experiences with the civilian public many can experience deep pain and debilitating consequences. Civilians also carry hidden wounds having lost soldiers who are family members, neighbors or even fellow citizens. Many find themselves struggling to support the return of a veteran whose experiences may always remain private memories. The Veteran-Civilian Dialogue is a process designed to assist healing in both groups.

To the extent that veterans and civilians carry hidden wounds in isolation, our entire community and nation will suffer. Through deep listening, dialogue and creative communal activities we can heal the wounds of war and learn the lessons it can and must teach us so that we may grow as individuals, communities and as a nation. The Veteran-Civilian Dialogue program seeks to honor the impact on both groups and assist in restoring wholeness.

Read more about the inspiration for and history of the Veteran-Civilian Dialogue.
 

Veteran - Civilian Dialogue

The dialogues are the cornerstone of the program, making use of extensive, cutting edge psychological and social healing processes.  Facilitated jointly by a veteran and a civilian trained in dialogue and group process, each session begins with the facilitators having an “observed conversation” on a range of topics. Topics are selected with reference to the context of the group.

This observed conversation serves to inspire the rest of the group, who then continues the conversations in their own veteran-civilian pairs. Groups of two are then put into groups of four for a final round of conversation.  The large group then reconvenes to share experiences and ask questions. 

Our goals:

  • To create a safe space and process in which veterans and civilians have a chance to talk with each other in an atmosphere of trust and mutuality. 
  • To increase awareness about the shared impact of war on us all.
  • To identify pairs of veterans and civilians willing to facilitate future conversations in various settings.
  • To advocate for veterans issues through various communication tools based on the conversations.
  • To create a movement of shared responsibility and support for veterans and civilians and their obligations to each other. 

Veteran – Civilian Dialogue on the Front Lines

In different ways and in a variety of role relationships, veterans carry civilians in their hearts and minds with them to the front lines. Intersections partnered with a young filmmaker to follow a Marine Unit from pre-deployment to the front line in Afghanistan and back inquiring of these soldiers what they need from civilians both during deployment and upon their re-entry into society. Intersections holds that these relationships and conversations are vital for both groups and our society as a whole. 

Below is a preview of some of the footage gathered from interviews with the 1st Battalion 3 Marines pre-deployment at the Marine Corps base in Hawaii.


 

Veteran – Civilian Dialogue in the Arts

The Veteran-Civilian Dialogue makes innovative use of the arts to deepen the relationship between veterans and civilians.  Common ground is forged through the use of both traditional and emerging art forms, ranging from concerts, plays and story projects to innovative art projects for differently-abled persons, both veterans and civilians.

Veteran - Civilian Dialogue in Second Life
Intersections has embarked on bringing virtual Veteran – Civilian Dialogues and collaborative programming to Second Life, the worlds largest on-line 3D community. In addition to the virtual Veteran – Civilian Dialogue, it includes the Virtual World Story Project designed to make art and creative expression more available to those impacted by illness, physical limitations, or social consequence. It further aids in building a global art-based community by making it possible for people to share and communicate via artistic expression and the internet.

Community Conversations: Veteran-Civilian Dialogue and Purdue
Intersections and the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University have partnered to bring the Veteran-Civilian Dialogue to various community settings in Indiana. Check back soon for more information.