Wednesday, October 13, 2021
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Le Moyne College, Grewen Auditorium, 3rd floor, Grewen Hall
The community gathered at Le Moyne College for a conversation about Moral Injury and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and its impact on veterans, refugees, civilians, and the larger community. The purpose of this event was twofold: 1) to create space for reflection, listening, and discussion about what this conflict has meant to us collectively and individually and to understand the long-term impact of this war on us all; 2) to provide a forum for discussion and listening to the speakers and audience members in a way that avoids polarized partisan debates and finger pointing. After the speakers made remarks, the floor was opened for attendees to share thoughts about moral injury, the war, supporting each other, and moving forward.
Moral injury is the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when that person perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral beliefs, values, or ethical codes of conduct.
Speakers
Rev. Dr. Donald J. Kirby, S.J., Le Moyne College
Rev. Dr. Brian Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel
Carlos Cervantes, US Army Veteran
Carlos Prillwitz, US Army Veteran
Zac Lois, US Army Veteran
Saboor Sakhizad, SIV, Former NATO Cultural Advisor
Dr. Bill Cross, Psychologist and Vietnam Veteran
Rev. Dr. Wesley Fleming, VA Chaplain
Co-sponsored by Veterans Services and the Student Veterans Association of Le Moyne College and the Moral Injury Project at Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel.
Event contacts
Dr. Eileen E. Schell, Coordinator of the Moral Injury Project, Syracuse University eeschell@syr.edu
Jennifer Reddy, Associate Director, Continuing Education, Le Moyne College reddyjc@lemoyne.edu