
ABOUT THE EVENT
Phoenixville Public Library will host a free talk, “Public Gratitude and Perpetual Warfare”, on Monday, April 9 at 7:00 PM. Evan Reibsome, an Iraq War vet and doctoral candidate, will be the speaker. Evan’s talk places pressure on a post-9/11 patriotic practice known as the “Thank You for Your Service” phenomenon, which involves a civilian approaching a military service member and literally saying the phrase “thank you for your service.” Drawing from a wide range of material—including literature, popular culture, and my own military service—he acknowledges the need for civilian support for our military while also inviting audience members to re-examine this popular expression of gratitude with a more critical eye. He reveals how blindly thanking military service members may paradoxically harm our men and women in uniform and inadvertently contribute to a state of perpetual warfare in the 21st century. Evan Reibsome is a veteran of the Iraq War and a Ph.D. candidate in the English department at Lehigh University.
This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar or by calling 610-933-3013 x132.