Homeland Magazine Checked back in with Disabled Vietnam Vet/Contemporary Realistic Oil Painter John Melillo, as he prepares for his Veteran inspired Solo Art Exhibition.
By Beth Melillo
Melillo: This Year, “Life Goes on Part 3” is about Comradery, Friendship, Courage and Honor. It’s about a Heroic Canine named “KING” who saved lives in Vietnam! I paint from my Original Photos I took while on tour in Vietnam 1971-1972. I try to paint the “Lighter Side” of Vietnam. In Addition, a short VIDEO Series will be shown that reflect on the paintings I did and the history. PLUS, my “East End Perspective” of additional Oil paintings will be on view from growing up in the historic Hamptons circa 1950.
Homeland: John, tell us how you are continuing to share your journey with a GLOBAL MESSAGE!
Homeland: Tell us about the new Flag painting you did to launch and its meaning.
Melillo: We all have our VIETNAM’s ...... be a death in family, accident, illness, bad relationship, something that stays with us that affects our lives. It’s something you don’t heal from, you have to live with! How we deal with it TENDS TO DEFINE US. Our theory has been, do something that has self-worth for yourself and in doing so you might find solace!
Melillo: We start with “Proudly Hold our Flag High!!!” It’s all about our community coming together to Celebrate this GREAT NATION and all the sacrifices it took to make it.
CONTINUING to SURVIVE PTSD Through ART
Homeland: How does Art continue to help you deal with PTSD? Melillo: I never painted before retiring when my PTSD Trauma became overwhelming. ART is my 3rd ACT, a Gift from God I didn’t know I had. Art Saved me! Homeland: Tell us about your “Life Goes On Part 3” Solo Art & Video exhibition to launch the Day before Veteran’s Day this year.
Homeland: Tell us about the story of “King” your Canine Dog that served in Vietnam and why you chose to Paint him. Melillo: In going through my old photos for this event, ONE in particular kept coming back to me. I passed over it before because it really stands alone as it’s own story and it’s difficult for me to tell. I’d be remised if I didn’t recount this most notable and significant thing I encountered in my Vietnam Tour or for that matter in my whole life. My Hope in so doing, I might finally have more Closure in dealing with my PTSD condition. King was a German Shepard that worked the Canine Unit. I worked with 2 Canine Units on my night shift. Each Dog paired with a handler and there were 16 different Dogs that could be used. There was one dog named “KING”, from the first time we saw each other we became “Kindred Spirits”. King, though he had a Handler would either never leave my side or always kept me in sight. I’m not a dog person, but I swear, we could communicate and knew what each of us were thinking.
20
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / November 2023