tear down walls. Stories build bridges. S T O R Y F O R C E Stories Stories bring people together. Stories matter.
StoryForce
StoryForce, the brainchild of CFCC’s English Department, was designed to provide CFCC veterans and military family members a forum where they can share their transition from military to academic/civilian life. Veteran’s art, poetry, writing, and music allow us a glimpse into their experiences. Below are a few examples from our recent edition. To see more, check out CFCC StoryForce online: cfcc.edu/storyforce. Piggie Smallz (aka Rooty), screenprint by Christina Whaley Created for Christina’s screenprinting class, this piece was created by hand shaving linoleum paper then rolling with ink and making an imprint. Christina used a photo she took of Piggie as he rested his head on a bed. “Piggie is a sweet and affectionate animal that brings the family joy, and he loves to root in anything he can find.” CHRISTINA WHALEY, Spouse of Army veteran Rick Whaley, resides in Leland, NC, and is pursuing an Associate in Arts at CFCC. Christina works as a veteran mentor at the Bob Philpott Veteran’s Center and volunteers at the Student Veterans Organization.
36
TEAR
THE MASK SHE WEARS
by Thomas Navickis
by Catherine Ulrich
I find myself sitting here,
They see her smile and hear her laugh
Staring at this taunting tear.
But they don’t see what’s behind her mask
Always there though I don’t know why,
“You don’t look sick,” she frequently hears
Worse it gets as time goes by.
If they only knew, if they saw her tears
One comes then two,
The burning throbbing pain is everywhere
It doesn’t stop after a few.
It is constant and some days is too much to bear
She slowly rolls down my cheek,
She hides her pain, and tries to stay strong
Before I know it I’m an old antique.
To make it appear that nothing is wrong
Onwards and upwards to better things she goes,
Inside she is screaming, so no one can hear
Yet I’m clinging to hope by the edge of my toes.
Steady and strong is how she wants to appear
For all the tears I have shed in the past,
They will always see her smile and hear her laugh
I wait for when I can shed my last.
She will not show what’s behind her mask
Tear, a poem by Thomas Navickis
The Mask She Wears, a poem by Catherine Ulrich
Thomas (TJ) Navickis, United States Air Force, was born and raised in Glasonbury, CT. At 18 TJ enlisted in the US Air Force and was part of a Fuels and Cryogenics troop. TJ handled hazardous materials and worked with every type of aircraft in the Air Force, sister branches, and also foreign nations. After attending CFCC, TJ plans to transfer to UNCW to study Dental Medicine. Upon graduation, TJ plans to commission back into the Air Force Dental Corps and continue his career on active duty.
Catherine Ulrich, United States Marine Corps, served six years in the US Marine Corps, where she was an intelligence specialist with the 10 th Marines HQ BTRY. Catherine is currently at CFCC studying to be an Occupational Therapist Assistant.
