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Ex Fabula: Veterans Day

Art Montes

It is with great honor and appreciation that we pay homage to those who have served and continue to serve in our Nation’s Armed Forces. In celebration of Veterans Day, Ex Fabula features two of our most moving Veteran stories.

Credit Kat Schleicher
Mary Koczan tell a story as part of Ex Fabula's Connecting Communities program.

In January 2012, Dino Fernandez, a former US Marine, shared his humorous and moving experience of his enlistment, deployment and time in the Red Zone. As the son of a soldier, Dino sought to continue his family legacy and make his father proud, which eventually led him to service in Iraq. Today, Dino calls the Marines the best and worst thing he’s ever done. Tune in to find out what Dino considers the biggest "Do Over" of his life.

Our next story takes us back to Ex Fabula’s time as Artist in Residence with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center as part of the Connecting Communities program. Mary Koczan told a beautiful story of her dedication to the memory of a soldier who was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War and was never found. Through her work with the POWs and MIAs, Mary learned of and carried this soldier’s name with her for decades. Did Mary ever find the missing soldier? Tune in to hear the extraordinary story of one girl’s dedication and one soldier’s heroism.

It’s that time again. This month’s Story Slam is November 13 at the Hot Water Wherehouse. The theme is My Nemesis and we’re pretty sure every one of you has a story to share. So put those thinking caps on and put your name in the hat on Thursday. We all have a story.

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