Veterans draw out memories

DE PERE - A new program has veterans drawing and talking about their experiences in war. Some say they have benefited from the program already, and hope other veterans suffering post-war stress will do the same.

When words don't come easy, a picture can take their place.

"This is the first time I had a crayon in my hand probably since second or third grade," said Larry Cavanaugh.

"Sometimes you can't express yourself really in words, ya know. And, and this kind of gives me an out and it seems like I can deal with it better," Cavanaugh explained.

Cavanaugh served in the US Army in Vietnam in 1966 and '67. He says that is the cause of nightmares and cold sweats he still has today.

"I've gotten it under control quite a bit with this drawing and stuff is helping," Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh has been participating in the Return and Recovery Program for Combat Veterans, which provides help to veterans from any era, who are struggling with post traumatic stress disorder. It also offers support to their families.

"This is where the lonely and sad came about for me when I was in the service," Cavanaugh explained, showing a picture he drew of chopper he saw every night. It dropped off food and picked up the wounded.

"I like drawing the training missions," said Dan Smith. "I haven't got as far as the combat yet."

Dan Smith served in the Marines and did two tours of duty in Vietnam in the early 1970s.

"The PTSD is a horrible place to live," said Smith.

He says it took him 40 years to learn he could live with post traumatic stress disorder. He's hoping younger veterans won't need so much time to figure that out.

Smith says, "If I can help these young vets not waste 40 years with this PTSD, it could save 'em time. I don't know. It's worth a shot."

It's not only the drawing these veterans appreciate, it's the chance to talk with one another.

"If you find guys that have been through - hey - it's just an ordinary run of the mill thing that happened, what we did. So no big deal," said Cavanaugh. "I think it's helping me."

The program is helping Larry Cavanaugh and other veterans put in to pictures what they cannot put in to words.

The group is part of an organization called Artists for the Humanities .

Organizers say in the five workshops they have held, about 15 veterans have participated, and there's no cost to the veterans.