Providence Public Library (PPL) is proud to host the 5th annual Veterans Voices in PPL’s Donald J. Farish Auditorium on Monday November 17 at 5:30 pm. Veterans Voices is presented by the Providence Clemente Veterans Initiative (PCVI), Trinity Rep. The event is free, but ticket reservations are required. A reception will follow the event.
At this powerful event, PCVI scholars and other vets will share stories, poems, songs and observations about their experiences. Since it began in 2021, Veteran Voices has become a beloved part of the Ocean State’s Veterans Day observance. Video of last year’s event is here.
Combining the experiences and reflections of local veterans with Trinity Rep’s longstanding theatrical traditions, Veteran Voices aims to educate the community on veterans’ issues – and give veterans a platform to share their stories. Performers include West Point graduate and musician Big Lux and current students and alums of the PCVI humanities program.
“Veteran Voices offered me an opportunity to continue expressing and serving,” says US Navy veteran John Gillard. “[It] is a not so small piece of the collective, ongoing healing process.” Gillard will be sharing some of his poetry at the event. US Marine Erika Westbrook feels similarly. “For me it’s been a way to finally open up and connect with other Veterans who have dealt with the same issues I have…with the support and encouragement I received from other Veteran participants, I have finally begun to feel some of the connection I had been missing for so long.” For fellow Marine Ben Fortier participating in Veteran Voices “has allowed me to stand in front of the amazing people I swore to defend, the American people, and showcase to them a small slice of my time in the military in an artistic way. I encourage anyone that wants to see the humanity of the military experience to come out to this exceptional event. It’s an incredible way to honor our nation’s veterans.”
According to Director Dr. Mark Santow, “the PCVI is proud to once again partner with Trinity Rep for the 5th annual Veteran Voices, lifting up the stories of vets who have served, and to bring it to a new space at PPL.”
The PCVI has been providing free humanities classes and programming for Rhode Island and Massachusetts veterans since 2019. Funded by several National Endowment for the Humanities and RI Council for the Humanities grants, the PCVI is premised on the idea that vets can find community, healing and greater self-understanding by exploring their experiences in a supportive setting through the lens of history, literature, philosophy, and art. For many, these explorations are powerful and healing, enabling them to not only make sense of often soul-shaking experiences, but also to find a way to convey them to loved ones and the civilian community and feel heard. The PCVI was awarded the 2020 Innovation in the Humanities Award from the RI Council for the Humanities.
Tickets are free, but ticket reservations are required. A reception will follow the event.
For information, contact Dr. Mark Santow, Director, Providence Clemente Veterans’ Initiative at pvdclementevets@gmail.com (401) 480-6664