KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In his mid-90s, and after a near-death bout with COVID-19, Pete Leaming looked for a new purpose in life and he found it in art.
“I never thought I’d be an artist and paint,” he said.
Leaming is a 96-year-old veteran of World War II and Korea. He started with paint and then moved to start arranging flowers in shadow boxes to hang on the wall.
“Who would have thought I’d ever do that?” he said.
He spent most of his life hunting for adventure in the outdoors, the military, and as a policeman. The native-born New Zealander earned citizenship in the U.S. after stowing away aboard a ship decades ago and joining the military to avoid being deported.
“When I was in Korea, one of the trucks got blown up and one of my friends was on it and all the men were killed except (him),” said Leaming.
His experiences in battle helped give his newly discovered talents at the art table a new purpose. He sells his creations for $20 and reinvests a small chunk in new supplies, and then donates the bulk of the money to nonprofits benefiting wounded warriors.
“They go into the service. Some give their lives, and some get shattered, and beat up, and crippled for the rest of their life. These are the people I’m trying to help," he said.
In 2023, he helped raise close to $1,800 for wounded veterans. If you would like to reach out to “Picasso Pete” you can do so directly by calling 706-455-9010. He can also be reached at peteleaming@tds.net, or on Facebook and Instagram with the handle "@picasso4veterans."
In addition to our on-camera interview, Pete took time to offer answers to the following ten questions about the impact his military service had on the rest of his life.
1.What one person influenced you most in life?
Apart from Jesus Christ and my wife. Both of them are a good part of what I do.
2. Do you feel honored and respected for serving your country?
Yes, I pray for the veterans because I am one of them.
3. How can people thank you for your service?
Donate to wounded veterans through me or directly.
4. How do you honor your fellow servicemen and women?
Mostly with prayer or my artwork.
5. How do you think this generation of service men and women is different or similar to yours?
I think they are different. But I’m not sure I can put a handle on it. Young people are totally different than I was when I was a boy. It’s not as conservative and I’m not sure they are as disciplined. Not everybody but a bigger chunk is out for themselves.
6. What influence did your military service have on the rest of your life?
You got to obey the rules. I was going the wayward way. It changed my life. New Zealand Air Force and New Zealand Army and becoming a police officer taught me obeying the rules is important.
7. Does your family have a history of military service?
My grandchildren. One in Air Force. The other was in the Coast Guard.
8. Would you encourage your son, daughter or other younger generations in your family to join the service?
Yes, I’ve encouraged my grandson to do it. The military will straighten people out.
9. How has your opinion of war changed?
As far as I’m concerned war is stupid. Serving in a war teaches you it should be the last resort. I’m very much against war.
10. How did your military experience shape your faith?
When I was Korea especially, I saw more people over there reading the Bible and praying. Living in a foxhole under fire brings a person around to praying and asking for help. It has helped me.