A Soldier's Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking About War

FAIN: AV-271086-20

National University (La Jolla, CA 92037-1011)
Lorna L. Zukas (Project Director: October 2019 to October 2022)
Alexander Zukas (Co Project Director: June 2020 to October 2022)

A year-long training and discussion program organized by faculty at National University, in collaboration with the Veteran Center and veteran-student alumni.

A Soldier’s Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking about War is a collaborative project between faculty in National University’s College of Letters and Sciences, Veteran Center, and veteran-student alumni to conduct a year-long training and discussion program under the auspices of the NEH “Dialogues on the Experiences of War” grant. The project uses humanities sources to achieve two goals: first, to explore war and the themes of trauma, loyalty, heroism, and homecoming and their effects on individuals and societies and, second, to develop a space for veterans and others to have meaningful and transformative conversations through facilitated discussions focused on those themes. With a repertoire of epic poetry, narrative non-fiction, military biography, film, and memoir, the humanities provide important intellectual and cultural frames which can give veterans the perspective they need in order to understand better what they have seen, what they have done, and what has been done to them.

Media Coverage

College Area Residents Awarded National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Lorna Zukas, Jeff Clemetson
Publication: College Times Courier
Date: 9/14/2020
Abstract: Article describes the NEH Dialogues on the Experience of War Grant award given to professors Lorna and Alex Zukas at National University.
URL: http://www.sdnews.com/printer_friendly/27773487

‘A Soldier’s Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking about War, (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Laura Riebau, Lorna Zukas
Publication: El Cerrito Community Newsletter
Date: 9/12/2020
Abstract: Lorna and Alex Zukas--both professors at National University in the Department of Social Sciences, and members of the El Cerrito Community Council--received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant to offer Discussion Leader Training and Reading Discussion Groups centered on veterans and civilians’ experiences of war.
URL: http://www.elcerritocommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ECCC-Newsletter-September-2020.pdf

A Soldier's Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking About War (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Mike Miller, Alelie Hall
Publication: San Diego's Veteran Magazine
Date: 12/9/2020
Abstract: San Diego Veteran's Magazine is a monthly publication designed to tell Veteran's stories and provide information to the Veteran community.
URL: https://sandiegoveteransmagazine.com/veterans-and-civilians-to-reflect-upon-powerful-histories-and-literatures-of-war/

Warpath: One Vietnam Veteran's Journey through War, Disillusionment, Guilt and Recovery (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Alfred J. Moore
Date: 1/23/2022
Abstract: An intense memoir that follows a youthful, patriotic enlistee as he transitions from ground crew mechanic to cavalry Scout. Warpath reveals the aggressive combat culture of his unit in Vietnam. The author recounts frequent close encounters with the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), and describes the inevitable violence that occurred during these confrontations, the importance of high body counts that rewarded young, dedicated soldiers. The critical part of this story begins much later. Moore returns from war, has a family, goes to college, earns an MBA and runs a global marketing firm. PTSD does not rear its monstrous head until the death of his closest war buddy. His courage in seeking help when his world spins out of control is a must read for every veteran. He entered PTSD therapy at the age of 68. This therapy, along with his research into the war’s history, provided him with the knowledge he needed to reconcile his feelings with the realities of the the war.
URL: https://www.amazon.ca/Warpath-Vietnam-Veterans-Disillusionment-Recovery/dp/B09R38B4J6

Associated Products

A Soldier's Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking About War (Web Resource)
Title: A Soldier's Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking About War
Author: Lorna Zukas
Author: Alelie Hall
Abstract: A Soldier's Place: Veterans and Civilians Speaking about War website encourages participatory engagement and is used to recruit participants, to inform the public about the program and ongoing developments, and to share project outcomes with the community.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://soldiers.place
Primary URL Description: The URL reflects the name of the NEH Grant Program.

National University NEH Dialogues of War Project: Veterans Speak (Web Resource)
Title: National University NEH Dialogues of War Project: Veterans Speak
Author: Ardeth Palma
Author: Lorna Zukas
Abstract: A National University LibGuide designed to promote the NEH program at the University and inform students about various opportunities to engage as discussion leaders and participants. The site was discoverable on the Web.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://nu.libguides.com/nehvetproject
Primary URL Description: Link to National University Library's Libguide, which served as our university website designed to inform NU students about the project.

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