LEFT BEHIND

Paintings and poetry of John Williamson

Vietnam veteran John Williamson's painting and poetry are haunting, a reflection of the man himself. On his mind are things he can’t seem to shake 55 years after his return like a soldier he had to leave behind on the battlefield that he had been treating. Although he was prepared to provide trauma care, he had to make life-and-death decisions like who would live long enough to get to a field hospital or who would not. He says he still wonders if he did the right things.

 

“What happened to the people I patched up and put on choppers? I tried to find out. When follow-up is not available, it is hard to think about.  A lot of people were in bad shape.”  Williamson said noting a lot of soldiers were left behind. He also thinks of his fellow soldiers who had the job of protecting him as a medic. He feels very thankful to them because in Vietnam the average life span for a medic in the field was six months.

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His painting and poetry exhibit is fittingly called Left Behind recalling what Vietnam veterans Left Behind: innocence, youth, faith in humanity, hope, and peace of mind. They returned with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) suffering from nightmares, loss of concentration, invasive memories, feelings of guilt, irritability, and in some cases, major depression.

 

Williamson is a member of 22 Veteran Artists (22 VA) and like other members of the group uses art therapy to combat PTSD. Unlike other group members. he hadn’t publicly shared his photos, poems, and paintings until last year.

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National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29. The date is significant as it is the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Also, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. More details about the event and this year’s Welcome Home for Vietnam veterans and their families May 11-13 at the National Mall in Washington DC can be found at: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com

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