Description

Omar Columbus: Transforming Service Into Story

In this episode of Rites of Passage: Stories of Service, host Dawn Davis speaks with Omar Columbus, a twelve-year Air Force veteran, artist, photographer, poet, performer, and curator.

Growing up in a small town in North Carolina, Omar joined the Air Force in search of opportunity and purpose. His military career eventually led him to become an intelligence analyst responsible for briefing fighter pilots before combat missions during the Iraq War.

Today, Omar channels those experiences into creative work that explores identity, memory, service, and healing.

In this conversation, he reflects on:

• Growing up in North Carolina and joining the Air Force
• Serving during the opening days of the Iraq War
• The emotional impact of preparing for war and leaving family behind
• The role faith and gospel music played during deployment
• Transitioning from military life to civilian life
• How poetry and storytelling have become tools for healing
• Why veterans need spaces to share their stories
• The importance of preserving diverse veteran experiences

Through his art, workshops, and community work, Omar reminds us that storytelling is not simply about remembering the past—it is about creating connection and building understanding.

Rites of Passage: Stories of Service is a five-part series presented by MIL-Tree Veteran Project and made possible through support from the California Arts Council Community Impact Grant and generous community donors.

To learn more, visit https://www.mil-tree.org/