Talking Service: A Veterans Discussion Group
Discussing and reflecting on veterans' experiences and those of others through readings that traverse time and place.
About the series
Discussion leaders will guide participants in conversations prompted by short readings. In partnership with the Great Books Foundation, we’ve put together a reading packet organized around themes like “Homecoming,” “Caregiving,” “The Home Front,” and others.
Meetings will be held every two weeks and will culminate in a visit from Brian Turner, author of My Life as a Foreign Country.
See below for a detailed schedule of the groups in Aurora, Effingham, Carbondale, and Anna.
If you would like to learn more or wish to request a book group in your area, please contact Matt Meacham at matt.meacham@ilhumanities.org or (312) 422-5589.
Aurora
About
Michael Griffin, a counselor with the DuPage County Vet Center, assisted by James Bolton, DuPage County Vet Center team leader, will lead this discussion group at the Santori Public Library (101 S. River St. in Aurora).
Schedule
Wednesday, October 12 at 2pm
Wednesday, October 19 at 2pm in the 125 Meeting Rm
Wednesday, October 26 at 2pm in the 224 Teen Program Rm
Wednesday, November 2 at 2pm in the 125 Meeting Rm
Wednesday, November 9 at 2pm in the 125 Meeting Rm
Sunday, November 13 at 3:30pm – Presentation at Santori Public Library by poet and author Brian Turner – Talking Service participants will have an opportunity to visit with him during the reception afterward.
Effingham
About
Tom Caldwell, an Army/National Guard veteran and instructor of English and philosophy at Lake Land College, will lead this discussion group at the Effingham Public Library (200 N. Third St.).
Registration is required.
Schedule
Thursday, October 13 at 6pm
Monday, November 14 at 6pm – Presentation at the Effingham Public Library by poet and author Brian Turner – Talking Service participants will have an opportunity to visit with him during the reception afterward.
Carbondale
About
Marty McMorrow (Army veteran, retired counselor, and author) will lead this discussion group at Longbranch Cafe and Bakery (100 East Jackson Street).
Schedule
Wednesday, October 19 at 5:30pm
Wednesday, October 26 at 5:30pm
Wednesday, November 2 at 5:30pm
Wednesday, November 9 at 5:30pm
Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30pm
Saturday, November 12 at 6pm – Presentation at the Carbondale Public Library by poet and author Brian Turner – Talking Service participants will have an opportunity to visit with him during the reception afterward.
Anna
About
Paul Copeland, director of Veterans Services at SIU Carbondale, will lead this discussion group at the Anna Veterans’ Home (792 N. Main St.)
Schedule
Thursday, September 15 at 3pm*
Thursday, September 29 at 3pm*
Thursday, October 13 at 3pm*
Thursday, October 27 at 3pm*
Thursday, November 10 at 3pm*
Tuesday, November 15 at 6pm – Presentation at the Carbondale Public Library by poet and author Brian Turner – Talking Service participants will have an opportunity to visit with him during the reception afterward.
*Discussion sessions at the Anna Veteran’s Home is open to residents of the home, their families and caregivers, and members of the staff only.