Veterans speak out through art

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

By Rusty Murry - Nevada Daily Mail

U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. pays a visit to The Springs Art Gallery in El Dorado Springs Tuesday to honor veterans and view an exhibit of their artwork. The art will be on public display in the gallery for the next two months. Left to right: Springs Art Gallery owner Ruth Cannady; Dennis Yates, artist of the B-2 bomber on the upper right; Rep. Ike Skelton and Shawn Abell, founder of Second Chance Barnyard and the Battle Buddies program. --Rusty Murry/Daily Mail

Veterans, legislators, local officials and art lovers gathered at The Springs Art Gallery in El Dorado Springs on Tuesday to see an exhibition of artwork created entirely by veterans. Veterans from a Kansas City veterans art group made up the bulk of the exhibitors but works from local artists also were displayed.

The event was sponsored by The Springs Gallery and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Heart of America Chapter 317 of Kansas City. The veterans group approached gallery owner Ruth Cannady and expressed a desire to be involved, and their input was vital to the success of the exhibit, she said.

"Without their help this exhibition would not have occurred," Cannady said.

The veterans and Cannady would like to transport the exhibition to another venue when it closes at The Springs Art Gallery and are urging other veterans to include their work in the proposed traveling exhibit.

The range of art work was vast and there were items from a wide variety of media. Pottery, oil painting, engraving, textiles and woodworking are just a few of the ways the artists communicated their ideas. Many of the artists are part of an art group that meets at The Veterans Center in Kansas City. Walter Thomas started the art group and said that veterans can come in and just "forget for a few minutes or a couple of hours." They do a bit of socializing, too; and "it's also very therapeutic," said Thomas. The group is open to all veterans, Thomas noted.

The gallery was full of works of art and the crowd milled about, admiring individual pieces. Staff assistant for U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill said the senator regretted not being present but had a prior commitment. Congressman Ike Skelton did not issue a statement of any kind; instead he spent his time in the gallery talking with veterans and admiring their work. He did say that "the art was truly amazing" and he thought it is very important for the veterans to be able to express themselves.

The Veterans of America Art Exhibit will be open to the public at The Springs Art Gallery, 105 E. Highway 54, El Dorado Springs, for another eight weeks. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m. More information about the gallery can be found at thespringsartgallery.org or by calling Ruth Cannady at (417) 296-3659.

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As a Veteran I longed for this day, as a husband I prayed for my wifes success. The idea started one day after I told her of Walter Thomas and Mark Pollards Group. You see like many of my fellow Serviceman we suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, most from Combat, some did not have Combat. My wife who loves Art as much as she loves our kids and myself saw a way to bring attention to the plight of 1,000,000 combat troups returning to us from Iraq and Afghanistan in the next four Years. But the largest known group to be studied for PTSD are Vietnam Vets. Everyday, a Vet takes their own life to get away from his thoughts and dreams. When you sleep we are awake. You live for your Dreams we run from ours. You cannot medicate Hyperawareness away, don't believe me come to my farm unannounced and see how my Army programming kicks in. Most of us are afraid our own responses, it was trained into us you see. In Combat or walking the streets you need Eyes in the back of your head, leave that environment you still feel the safest with a wall behind you and a door in front of you, as you stroke Cold Steel waiting. You see we sleep with Weapons most nights, it ok because we isolate so noone gets hurt but us unless you are an intruder.

We have control, we have control when we isolate, we don't like Crowds so Today was very special to see so many gathered together. Dennis Yates and I compared sleep patterns today, then we talked about our Meds for Dreams and Sleep.

That friends is PTSD101, it possibly took my best friends life, it has taken more of my friends since his passing.

Now the good part, the VA recognizes that it exists now, shell shocked as it was once called is now treatable but never curable. Distraction is the best defense, working out is your life line. Group to recognize that you are not alone.

Never, Never take your own life, call someone they can help.

Now thank you's

Congressman Ike Skelton my hero, a former prosecutor with a heart of Gold and a will of Steele

Bruce Rogers, fighting for our City of El Dorado

Clean Energy is our future, jobs for our youth

THE Vietnam Veterans Association-Randy and Kaye

Rhonda Social Worker/Administrator of the KC Vet

Center

Mark Pollard Artist

Rusty of the Nevada Daily Mail

Linda of the Cedar County Republican

Crystal Quade of Senator Claire Mccaskill's Office

Pastor Patty Smith my Spiritual Inspiration and the Leader of my Church the United Methodist Church of El Dorado Springs

For the Men and Women who have served our Country,

this is for those who have died and for those who continue to fight battles long after they are over I say Stay Strong my Brothers and Sisters, help is here!

and finally I thank my Lovely Wife who worked tirelessly like a lioness hunting for her cubs she sees fighting for my rights as a Veteran as protection for our daughter's future.

-- Posted by M4 on Wed, Aug 12, 2009, at 12:15 AM

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