Veterans Voices

Happy Father's Day

Spring 2021 ' is now available in audio. Find it here: https://soundcloud.com/audio-//veterans-voices-spring-2021

Our Annual Veterans Pen Celebration will take place Saturday Nov. 14 at 2PM Central via Zoom. Everyone is invited. Please pre-register at https://veteransvoices.org/annual-veterans-pen-celebration/ Details about the call will be emailed to you soon and posted here.

Hi everyone! Warrior Writers is excited to announce our first virtual OPEN MIC NIGHT! Join us this Veterans Day, Nov. 11th, at 8:30pm EST for a free evening of art shared by the Warrior Writers community. All you need is a Zoom account and internet access! Information on our website. https://warriorwriters.org/ This is a non-competitive, free event. Any questions? Contact Glynnis at [email protected] for more information.... We value freedom of speech and encourage expression - in fact, that is what we are here for! However, Warrior Writers does not tolerate hateful content, and if a participant is disrespectful to others, that participant may be asked to leave the space.

By Joel Oliver, Army Tired old men sitting, eating their lunch, Hunched over table and tray,... Who would ever think just to look at them They were heroes of their day? Grizzled hair and prickly beards And sometimes shabby clothes -- Where would we be if not for them, I believe that everyone knows. In the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, No one knows his name, But these proud men who gave so much, Their fate is much the same. Lift them up in word and deed, Shower them with glory and praise. Tell them all how worthy they are Until the end of their days.

By Tom Sanders, Army To those who fell in battle, a prayer for you! As I put my hand upon the Wall, there is a sense of sorrow.... As I put my hand upon the Wall, I pray for you! As I put my hand upon the Wall, I shed a tear for you! As I put my hand upon the Wall, I will remember all! As I put my hand upon the Wall, I will feel the sorrow! As I put my hand upon the Wall, the brave hearts are with me! You are not forgotten! Because! Because! Why! My heart is with you! I put my hand upon the Wall! Keep them who fell... in your heart and soul!"

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the National Veterans Day Observance VA Secretary Robert Wilkie hosts the National Veterans Day Observance Nov. 11 at Arlington National Cemetery. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The nation’s 67th Veterans Day Observance will honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during war and peacetime. The ceremony star...ts precisely at 11 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and honors and thanks all who served in the U.S. uniformed services. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response has compelled VA and its partners (Arlington Cemetery and Military District of Washington) to host a greatly reduced ceremony this year. VA will live stream the ceremony at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs. People can also view at this link. Within 24 hours following the ceremony, people can view photos from the Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at https://apd.smugmug.com///n-CNjgGX/AFFHWC-iho-Veterans-Day.

. ? Christopher Iliff, board member. . / ? I became involved with the VVWP at the request of fellow board member and my cousin, Ted Iliff. I am a veteran of the US Navy having served actively in 1971-72 and in the reserves thereafter. I am a lawyer and I offer occasional opinions regarding legal issues facing VVWP. ... . ? I serve as Executive Director of Miracle of Innocence. It is a Kansas City based innocence organization dedicated to freeing innocent prisoners and providing services for them when they are released. Miracleofinnocence.org . ? Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) will host a series of to inspire conversations around the collection as both an archival resource and a diverse repository of veterans’ experiences a mission it has met for the past 20 years. The events will premiere on the ’ : facebook.com/vetshistoryproject. , . . Still Over There Franklin Tootle, Operation Song, 8 p.m. Writt...Continue reading

So many events to honor and support veterans. Check out this this list. It showcases events all over the country. https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/ BUT don't forget VVWP's own Veterans Pen Event on Saturday (Nov. 14 2PM Central)

We are so excited-a little more than a week before our Veterans Pen Celebration! It's always an enlightening event but will be even better this year, it is VIRTUAL so all our writers and artists can participate. Register at http://veteransvoices.org

Don't Worry About Tomorrow By Robert Shepherd, Air Force VA Medical Center--Memphis, TN Don’t worry about tomorrow... For the evil of today Will be enough to test your strength And humble you to pray. Don’t think about the darkness When daylight has just begun, But while it is warm and bright Be energized by the sun! Don’t faint when you’re pressed against the wall And there’s nowhere else to go, But take the invisible hammer of prayer And chisel out a door! Don’t say, It’s all over When the doctor shakes his head, But by the faith of God that’s in you, Rise up and make your bed! Don’t say, I’ll eat my last and die When your barrel is at its end, But give to someone else. Your barrel will rise again! Tomorrow it is standing Beyond the shadow of today. Walk in the light of the presence And faith will make a way.

. ? Deann Mitchell, Vice President . / ? I became involved in ten years ago when asked by a client to attend a board meeting to learn more about the organization. Arriving at the board meeting I realized that I knew three other people on the board. Prior to that I wasn't aware they knew each other or were on the board of VVWP. I decided fate brought me to the group and I...'ve been on the board ever since. . ? I am currently on the Kansas Credit Union Council and the Governor's Behavioral Health Services Planning Council, and am a member of Central Exchange, a Kansas City based women's leadership organization. . ? During the 2018 Veterans Pen event when the interviewer revealed to our guest Big Sonia that his father was one of the soldiers that liberated her concentration camp. . ? "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

New Musicals, Inc.is looking for compelling stories from veterans for a new series of ten minute musicals called "So Proudly We Hailed". Submission deadline is November 20, 2020. https://youtu.be/QxgA3y6_XXY