RAY  SANTELLI

Vietnam Veteran

In 1964, after attending Roosevelt High School in Virginia, Minnesota, I enlisted in the U.S. Army.  Upon completion of my basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Radio School at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, I was sent to Vietnam where I served one year in combat.  Growing up fast!

After my discharge on August 29, 1966, I was employed as a police officer for the City of Virginia, and it was not until the 1990s that I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of my experiences in Vietnam.

While attending therapy sessions at The Duluth Readjustment Center for Veterans, my counselor suggested that I start drawing to help me with my issues of PTSD.

Trusting in my counselor’s advice, I started drawing pictures of birds, animals, fish, houses, and since that time, I have continued to draw with colored pencils using the collections of John James Audubon as a resource.

I had never had any involvement or background in art, however, drawing has helped me stay focused on moving forward and to keep memories and nightmares of past experiences from negatively affecting my daily life.