Interview - Vietnam Vet

Homeland Magazine sits down with Vietnam Vet and artist, John Melillo

Homeland: Your story, growing up in the 50s and 60s, reflects a journey from an ideal boyhood on Long Island, New York, to an Ivy League university and then drafted to the jungles of Vietnam when life took a decidedly different turn. Tell us about your journey.

Melillo: I grew up in a very loving family in Huntington, NY. Having family on the East End of L.I. afforded me a “Tom Sawyer” Adventure Childhood with cousins- fishing, hunting, exploring all the local Haunt Legends as well as working their farms. Family values gave me a great appreciation for this country. When I was drafted, there was no question but to answer the call.

Homeland: What were the earliest days in Vietnam like? Melillo: Hostile until I learned that “to conguer the jungle, you don’t fight the jungle. You become Part of the jungle.” Trigering those inner animal instincts we all have, help me survive. Coping at that point actually became an adventure.

Homeland: You eventually became a patrol supervisor with responsibility for some 40,000 GIs and 60,000 Vietnamese in Long Bing, supervising all civil and combat incidences during 12-hour shifts, six days a week on days and six days on nights. What was that experience like?

Melillo: Extreme. My tour was at the end of the war when the Vietamese took over the fighting and all the GIs were drawn into my post. A lot of pent-up emotions were raging through the troops of this Unpopular War at the time. Unfortunately, being an MP represented the establishment to them. Also, any immediate off post enemy missions were my responsibilities as well.

Homeland: What are some of things you experienced in Vietnam that had the greatest impact on you?

Melillo: I had a lot of free reign in my postion. I used it to save lives. Example, I made sure non-combat wounded Vietnamese were treated in US Hospitals instead of their own. Judgement situations and tight control of my men also avoided many a serious outcome- both Civil and Combat.

Homeland: When did your service end and what came next?

Melillo: I came back to a very ungrateful Nation at that time in history. You lost a war so the Army was unsympathetic. In my replacement center in Oakland, California “The Weathermen,” a local anti war group, tried to bomb my baracks. Last, was the call “Baby Killers” while in Uniform. Go Figure. I put it all behind me and in 6 weeks found a job and set a date to get married.

Homeland: Describe your professional life in the concrete jungle of New York City? What industries were you in and how did your Vietnam experience shape your career?

Melillo: Overseas when I thought I would never see home again a saying kept rolling in my head “rich men make the rules” and if I ever get home I want to make a difference. When I came out of the Jungle a piece of it came with me and a drive that lead me to New York City. One job offer hit home,” as I got a job selling financial printing to banks on wall street. You’ll feel like your back in Vietnam.” Then came the magic words, “If you can do it, we’ll pay accordingly.” I was in so fast all you could see was my dust trail.

Homeland: After four and half decades working, you retired and then the Vietnam experience really kicked in. What happened and where and how did you seek help?

Melillo: I didn’t realize running at a NYC pace all those years was masking my experiences in that land so far away so long ago. When I started to slow down, I started to not only have nightmares but daymares. I went to the VA. They looked at my record and tested my aptitude abilities. It turned out I had an extreme case of PSTD hidden all those years. The VA was great. They enrolled me in 3 cutting edge stress tolerance programs. To this day, I still have regular guidance treatments both outside and inside the VA.

Homeland: Tell us about how you became an artist, your art and what painting has done for you?

Melillo: On the aptitude Side I test 97% artistic. With the VA’s help, I enlisted in Christies and Sothery’s art business programs. They also sponsored me taking painting courses I studied with world renounce teachers.

“Remembrance of Chris”

On my own, I took additional classes at the Met, The ART Leagues of LI and NY as well as the SCC on LI. I became a Contemporary Realist Oil Painter. (Example: “Fishing with my daughter” painting. To realize this ability I never knew existed was like being “reborn.”

Homeland: You have a whole series dedicated to your Vietnam experience. What are some of the images you have captured and what do you hope others take from those images?

Melillo: Two examples of images, “Remembrance of Chris” a fallen comrade who took my place on a fatal patrol and “The Caretaker,” which is a woman in the jungle who cared for Orphans from both sides of the War. One very important lesson learned, ”Life Goes On.”

Homeland: What message do you have for other veterans suffering from PTSD or any other disability?

Melillo: Seek out your interests. If you like to fishthen fish; read-then read; write-write a book ; sing -join a choir; music-take lessons ; and so on. Emerge yourself in the positives for yourself.

Homeland: Where can we see more of your art and learn more about your journey?

Melillo: Instagram; @artfeelimgsjm For Art inquiries:

bethmproductions@gmail.com