Hear the Voices of Veterans
“Veterans’ stories and poems are immense in
scope, and in heart, and—amazingly—full of
life and laughter. They … tell the truth, and
so make peace.” –Maxine Hong Kingston
On Veterans Day (11/11/11), award-winning author Maxine Hong Kingston will lead a reading of veterans’ writings at Friends Meeting House in Manoa Valley.
Author of The Woman Warrior and many other books, Maxine is a Hawai‘i Living Treasure and was awarded the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to
American Letters. In 1993, she started a writing-and-meditation workshop for veterans and
their families, and the group continues to meet to this day. Eighty of the workshop
participants co-authored Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace, edited by Maxine and
published by Koa Books.
At the 11/11/11 gathering, Maxine Hong Kingston will read selections from the book, and
she invites you to read a peace poem, a section from Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace, or
another writing for up to five minutes. Or just come listen. We will also have a walking
meditation, and will ring a bell of peace in the tradition of Armistice Day to commemorate
those who have died in war.
“No one I know has done more to help veterans bear witness to unspeakable experience than Maxine Hong Kingston.” – Bill Moyers
Free & Open to the Public
Veterans, active-duty military, and their families are especially invited to attend.
Sponsored by Koa Books, Dharma Friends, Hawai‘i Peace and Justice (formerly
American Friends Service Committee – Hawaii), and Ala Kukui / Hana Retreat
For more information, contact info@koabooks.com or 808-875-7995
About Maxine
Maxine Hong Kingston was born on October 27th, 1940, in Stockton, California. She was the first of six American-born children; her parents, Tom and Ying Lan Hong, had had two children in China before they came to America. Her mother trained as a midwife in To...
Causes Maxine Kingston Supports
Amnesty International