By Malcolm Glover
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-907917.mp3
Little Rock, AR – Many veterans wrestle with feelings of depression and loneliness when they return home from battle. The agony of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, amputations and traumatic brain injuries can be unbearable. A professor from University of Central Arkansas started a lecture series that inspires vets by connecting them with art from ancient warrior cultures. Malcolm Glover with KUAR in Little Rock reports.
Early on a Friday morning, Dr. Reinaldo Morales, Jr., who always tells his students to call him "Dito," rushes into an empty classroom at the VA hospital in North Little Rock wielding a laptop. Dito is an art history professor at the University of Central Arkansas.
"My specialty is prehistoric art - the older the better," said Dito. "One of the things I've been studying is the role of warriors in these prehistoric societies and how we learn from the art."
Dito flips through papers, untangles electrical cords, plugs the laptop into a projector, and his presentation slowly comes into focus on the big screen. The objective: to let ancient art help veterans cope with the realities of life after war. The empty classroom soon fills up with about 50 vets.
One of the most outspoken class participants is Jesse Jones, an Air Force vet whose been diagnosed with PTSD.
"Dito brings us more information and helps us learn," said Jones. "He turns the light bulbs back on in our heads after the different situations we went through in the military."
Jones asks a lot of questions and his interest in history inspired the lecture topic "Art and the warrior across the continent of Africa." The lecture covered everything from the warrior kings along the Nile, to the power of women during wartime, and of course the brilliant tactics of freedom fighters.
Dito always reminds the veterans in his classes that art history can teach valuable lessons and inspire action.
"I think art is all around and just a handful of images can spur conversation, ideas, and memories that have been repressed or forgotten about," said Dito.
Gayle Moberly and her husband Bobby, a Vietnam vet, drive about three hours to attend the lectures at the V-A. She says the discussions are well worth the travel.
"Dito help the veterans feel like they have a foundation and a reason for their service," said Moberly. "He gives everyone tools and information to help is in our everyday lives."
Over the course of the presentation, sketches and photographs of weaponry and paintings of historic battle scenes flash across the screen gripping their imagination. Dito's energy and passion for the subject matter never wanes.
"I started showing the veterans that they're part of a tradition that has been the subject of some of the greatest works of art that humans have ever created," said Dito. "This class shows vets that some of the problems that they may have today integrating in society are problems that warriors have had forever."
Dr. Reinaldo "Dito" Morales says his work with the VA in North Little Rock has been a life changing experience. He says the vets have already given him marching orders for the next two lectures. They want to know more about how art and war played a role in the spread of Islam and Christianity.