Exit Wounds - Life After War: A Discussion

Date:

November 12, 2009 - 5:30pm - 7:30pm

City Club Commons, 901 SW Washington St., Portland OR 97205

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs…

…144 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans completed suicide in 2008. 20-24 year old veterans are killing themselves a rate four times higher than non-veterans of similar age.

…One in seven female soldiers who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan reported being sexually harassed or assaulted during their military service. A female soldier in Iraq is more likely to be sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier than to come into contact with enemy fire.

…2,000 war on terrorism veterans have become homeless upon returning to the United States.

On November 12, City Club welcomes Jim Lommasson, photographer of City Club’s Art in the Commons exhibit Exit Wounds: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming, with guest veteran Eddie Black. Jim will discuss the importance of documenting the lives of returning soldiers, and will share some of their stories. Veteran Eddie Black will share his story, and will discuss soldier suicide, sexual violence against women soldiers, veteran homelessness and what each of us can do to help returning soldiers.

The exhibit will open at 5:30 PM; discussion 6:00-7:00 PM; additional exhibit viewing 7:00-7:30 PM

This event is co-sponsored by the Returning Veterans Project.