Back again in the Veterans and Military Families (VMF) Caucus’s Virtual Art Gallery is M.B. Dallocchio with her remarkable mixed-media piece: “The Journey to Phoenix.” (Her work, which we previously highlighted, can be viewed here.)
A U.S. Army combat veteran, the artist created an incredible self-portrait reflecting on the post-transition from soldier to civilian. At this part of her life, she explains:
“I received a job offer in Phoenix. Apparently, while sending out an inquiry to the State of Arizona, the women veterans coordinator, Gabe Forsberg, recognized my name. She had seen the Lioness documentary and seemed tickled pink that I was considering moving to Phoenix. She promptly recommended me for a position in veterans’ education. The hiring process would take a while, and she encouraged me to be patient and that all would work out. I took out a postcard of a saguaro cactus I bought in Tucson, gripped it tightly, and wished myself into the Sonoran Desert.
While keeping my eyes fixed on images of the desert, I still had a job to do. The dream was fresh on my mind throughout the workday, and I felt a sense of urgency to do something, anything to make a change in my life. The dream itself wasn’t like a jarring hallucination of a fallen comrade, but it pulled me right back into the Chamorro idea of dreams as foretelling. All my life, I’ve been taking care of other people. From operating as a Lioness in Iraq to running this center, my work has always been about helping people find their path, their way through the worst of life. It was time I did that for myself.”
Dallocchio is a member of the Democrats Abroad Global VMF Caucus and Chair of the Democrats Abroad Italy VMF Caucus.
U.S. citizens living abroad, both civilian and military, are highly encouraged to check your voter registration status and request your ballot for any upcoming elections in your home voting state that you are eligible to vote in.
The VMF Caucus, proudly consisting of veterans, military family members, Department of Defense civilians, and other national security professionals, and strong allies of veterans and military family causes, has over 1,400 members in dozens of countries.
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