Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace

Veterans Day Book reading Scheduled

For more information or for interviews with those who will be reading on November 11th, contact: Doug Zachary (512) 791-9824 or Lee Swenson (510) 684-3003 Lee Swenson
or Daniel Young (831) 750-7882

A reading of selections from “Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace,” a recently published anthology edited by Maxine Hong Kingston will take place on Veterans Day, Saturday November 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Louden Nelson Center.

National Book ward-winning author Kingston led writing and meditation workshops for veterans and their families for more than a dozen years. The book by Koa Press of Hawaii includes writings by 80 combat veterans, medics and others who served in war, gang members, drug users and victims of domestic violence, and draft resisters, deserters, and peace activists. A community of writers formed as they worked together to heal the trauma of war through art. Meetings were based on the teachings and spiritual practices of Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hahn to create a protective and nurturing atmosphere in which combat veterans and others were able to access, expose, and heal their painful memories.

Several local authors whose writings are included in the recently released book, including Doug Zachary of the local Vets for Peace chapter, will read their work at the event sponsored by Veterans for Peace Santa Cruz Chapter and the Resource Center for Nonviolence. The event is free of charge. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

For more information contact Veterans for Peace Santa Cruz Chapter at (831) 750-7882 or the Resource Center for Nonviolence (831) 423-1626.