written by Nadia Rupniak, PhD As the child of a WWII veteran, I was undoubtedly exposed to his combat trauma and presumably this may have affected me. However, pinning down exactly how I was affected has proved quite perplexing. Generational trauma is defined as: “the transmission of trauma or its legacy, in the form
Written by Todd DePastino The VBC returned from its trip to Karlovac, Croatia, to meet with veterans of the Croatian War of Independence, 1991-1995, and to discuss the seemingly simple question: "What is a Veteran?" Croatians have recently adopted the word "Veterani" to describe those who have served in the armed forces. The word
Written by Lee Kikel James M. Gavin (National Archives) VBC member Lee Kikel wrote a book, Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Poland to America, about her remarkable father, Melvin Goldman. In the decade before his arrival in the United States in 1950, saw his home destroyed, his family torn apart, his
Tom Pennie in Vietnam Written by Tom Pennie Steve Hecht teaches writing at LaRoche University in Pittsburgh. Last fall, he had Vietnam veteran Tom Pennie in his memoir writing class. Tom Pennie writes his reflection below on his service, and his gratitude for his friend, Norbert Burleson. Tom served in Vietnam from
Photos by Gary Yon Rarely do we post photos of our recent VBC storytelling events, but, then again, we don't usually have a photographer of Gary Yon's caliber taking them. Gary joined us once again at Grist House Brewing in Millville, PA, near Pittsburgh, for our annual VBC Burgers & Craft Beer event. Gary's
Written by 1st Sgt. Thomas J. Korenich, 1st Infantry Division, World War II Carole Popchock sent me this moving tribute written by her father, Thomas J. Korenich, who served in North Africa and Sicily and was wounded on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Treating his wounds that day was "Doc" Leonard--Captain Arthur J. Leonard--a football
