Today, I salute Veteran Samantha Gross and the glass blowing program founded in partnership with Rowan University and WheatonArts in New Jersey. Samantha served in the National Guard Signal Unit, including 16 years in the Ready Reserve. Gross always wanted to work with glass and said the program gave her confidence while connecting her with others in the community. Once a month, a group of local military veterans gather around a furnace inside a glassblowing studio at WheatonArts in Millville, New Jersey, to create artistic objects. From the art comes engagement, story, camaraderie and healing from PTSD. The idea for the program was sparked by Operations Art of Valor and Veterans Glassblowing Day, a national movement launched in 2013 that encourages glass artists across the country to offer free classes to veterans. Thank you for sharing the story of your healing, Samantha, and THANK YOU for your service.
