Nebraska Arts for Vets allows me to share ideas visually.

     Without the Nebraska Arts for Vets art program, I would feel lost. Recently, I retired and this left me with a great amount of time, which left me very complacent and eventually with a sense of hopelessness. I was no longer feeling interested in anything. Funny how things have turned full circle for me. When I was younger I enlisted in the Army because I couldn't find anything fulfilling after college. While in the Army I had a job as a draftsman. I was drawing every day. I had completed airborne training. I served in the 82nd Airborne Division and became a M60 team leader. After leaving the military Cooper Nuclear Station hired me as a draftsman, but promoted to several different jobs during my 23 years there. Soon, I found myself unfulfilled, this went on for quite some time until I went to the Veterans Department which helps veterans find jobs. This service connected me with Nebraska Arts for Vets program. I took a photography class with this program.

     Now, I'm volunteering and it has helped me gain respect for myself once more. I able to teach different medians of art to other veterans. This volunteer position has given me a great sense of meaning and purpose to my life once more. 

     That's why I stated, I've come full circle in my life, it started with the military and now Nebraska Arts for Vets is helping me connect back into my artistic life once more and share my talents as well as gain talents from others in a very fun environment.

Veteran