| Soldiers returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan | | | | a creator. Plus, he or she can use detail tools like |
| have seen some unimaginable things. Although many | | | | glaze chalk to add color to his or her creation. |
| of these young men and women are returning to | | | | Creatively bringing a figure of beauty and color into |
| their hometowns to heroes' welcomes, under the | | | | the world can be extremely therapeutic. |
| glory and celebration are painful memories of the | | | | Local communities might tie into their American |
| horrors of war. Places like the Abu Ghraib prison are | | | | Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars to help create |
| not part of most United States citizens' memories, | | | | ceramic art centers for returning soldiers. Local art |
| but these horrible places may be memories keeping | | | | teachers might be willing to donate time and things |
| our returning soldiers up at night. We need to | | | | like clay making lesson plans to bring a therapeutic art |
| recognize that our countries newest veterans have | | | | program together. The bonus is that the community |
| young and impressionable minds that will need help | | | | receives the joy of working together to help their |
| readjusting to their once familiar neighborhoods. Many | | | | beloved returning heroes. |
| types of therapies are used to help returning soldiers, | | | | Some of the returning soldiers may feel so |
| but an easy therapy that is relatively inexpensive to | | | | comfortable with the ceramic arts that it could lead |
| initiate is to use clay. | | | | to a new hobby, or even career. Those interested in |
| People who create sculptures have the ability to build | | | | ceramic art education will find that many art schools |
| something, make something new. This is the exact | | | | are very willing to work with former soldiers, and |
| opposite of the soldier in battle who is destroying the | | | | money through the Armed Forces (G.I. Bill) will be |
| environment and the enemies around him or her. | | | | helpful in fulfilling a new artist's dream. |
| Sculpting allows the returning soldier the chance to be | | | | |