SALEM, Mass. — Vietnam veteran Marc Levy of Salem stood up before dozens in Abbot Hall in Marblehead, and read his essay called “The Quiet Time,” which describes the drinking of morning coffee on the battlefield in an act akin to salvation.
“Tear open and pour in one or two packets of non dairy creamer. Repeat with sugar. Use the white plastic spoon to mix and stir. With eyes closed, inhale the savory vapors; cup to your lips, feel the hot inky brew flood your mouth, scourge your tongue, roll down your willing gullet. The taste is awful, but it will do,” said Levy, 67, who was a 19-year-old Army medic when he arrived in Vietnam.
Levy, an author, was taking part in Salem Congressman and Iraq War veteran Seth Moulton’s Veterans Town Hall. The idea of a veterans town hall was conceived by author Sebastian Junger, based on the tradition of warrior storytelling.
“Warrior storytelling brings together veterans and the communities they serve so they both can be supportive of each other,” Moulton said in an email.
Some North Shore veterans like Levy who want to share their stories are now learning how to better write them.
On a cold night in mid-December, about a dozen North Shore veterans, including Levy, met at Salem State University for a veterans writers workshop, led by Army veteran Tom Laaser of Salem.
It’s not an official class. There are no grades. The group of about 15 to 20 alternates between meeting on campus and at the Salem VFW Post on Derby Street, where they are joined by some older veterans.
They not only learn about the craft of writing, but they share stories and get an outlet, something they may not be able to do otherwise.
