The following is a press release from Texas Tech University:
As Lubbock celebrates the West Texas Salute to Veterans on Saturday (March 31), a team from Texas Tech University will help share digitally the firsthand experiences of some of these brave individuals.
From 12:50-1:50 p.m. at the Clarion Grand Park, 3201 S. Loop 289, attendees can see the story of Katherine Royalty, a 104-year-old Texas Tech alumna who served in WAVES, the women’s branch of the United States Naval Reserve, during World War II; the story “Cathedral Out of Nowhere,” which focuses on the late Lee Roy Herron’s experience during the Vietnam War but also is a larger portrait of the challenges Marines faced there and the paradox of faith and violence; and the story of David Nelson, a Texas Tech alumnus who served during Vietnam and endowed a Texas Tech scholarship in memory of his friend, Herron, a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient.
Nelson will be present at the event.
The presentation of digital storytelling is funded by a grant from The CH Foundation.
“Veterans are a vital and necessary population,” said Jacqueline Kolosov, a professor in the Department of English and the recipient and director of the grant. “Our aim is to educate the community about veteran experience and to give veterans the opportunity to give a shape to their service in the military. And given that Texas is second only to California in terms of veterans, Texas Tech’s involvement feels very natural.
“In addition, given the prevalence of war and endemic violence, I believe the everyone should come and see how the student artists, guided by me and working with veterans and the community, are creating art forms that speak to the experiences of the women and men who continue to serve our country.”
(Press release from Texas Tech University)
