A New Mission for a Veteran
A Vietnam veteran from Long Island has discovered a passion for painting as a way to address his own PTSD. Now, he’s sharing this new skill to aid fellow soldiers grappling with similar challenges.
At 78, John Melillo, a former military police sergeant, opens up about his struggles, saying, “It wasn’t just nightmares. I was having daydreams, too.”
Melillo’s journey stems from his harrowing experiences during the war, which he captured on film and later transformed into artwork. After being drafted shortly after his graduation from Cornell University in the late 1960s, he witnessed horrific events that haunted him long after he returned home.
Years spent working in marketing and sales did little to alleviate the internal turmoil. It wasn’t until more than 45 years post-service that he received a diagnosis of PTSD.
“I couldn’t get into the elevator, I couldn’t get out of bed,” he recalls. “I just fell on the floor.”
As time passed, Melillo’s mental health condition intensified. However, amidst his search for coping mechanisms, he found an unexpected talent in painting. “I’ve never drawn a straight line before,” he stated, attributing it to divine intervention. “It was a gift from God.”
During his time in Vietnam, he began creating artwork from the East End landscapes and photographs he took, offering him a powerful tool to combat his demons. His pieces are now exhibited at local libraries and several Starbucks locations on the Southfork.
Focusing on Humanity
His artwork often reflects the brighter facets of humanity, such as the orphanages that cared for children amidst the chaos of war. “You’re talking about people doing the wrong thing, but there are those doing the right thing,” he emphasizes, wanting to immortalize those moments.
He also created a poignant portrait of a military dog named King, who played a significant role in his life, once guiding Melillo away from danger in a minefield. “He could smell us everywhere,” he fondly recalls, juxtaposing the dangers of war with the unwavering companionship of his canine friend.
Nearly three years ago, Melillo began using his skills to teach drawing to other veterans. In his classes, he encourages students to pause and reflect on their sensory experiences while painting. “You are focused, that is the path to healing,” he notes, highlighting the importance of living in the moment.
The gratitude he’s received from his students and their families has been profoundly moving, a stark contrast to the indifference many veterans faced upon returning home from Vietnam.
Shortly after his return, Melillo recalls a harrowing experience at a base in Oakland, where a nearby barracks was targeted by a domestic terrorist organization.
Reflecting on the changing perceptions of veterans over the years, Melillo expresses gratitude for the overwhelming support he has seen as attitudes toward Vietnam veterans have shifted positively. His joy peaked when he received a standing ovation as a military hero at a New York Islanders game. “The gratitude I receive is not just for myself,” he concluded, “and I pass it on to everyone.”
