Veterans Pen Celebration
VVWP, publisher of Veterans’ Voices magazine, is celebrating 75 years of service to veterans as part of its annual event scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Due to ongoing pandemic concerns, this year’s VPC will be a virtual event. The event is free but does require advance registration
VVWP started in 1946 as a small group of volunteers who believed that writing is a form of mental health therapy for veterans. We have testimonials from veterans who credit writing with saving them from suicide. That mission continues today with the magazine’s three editions per year offering a platform for prose, poetry and graphic arts submitted exclusively by veterans.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dean Vakas, a retired Army veteran with an incomparable record of service and achievement. Vakas served in Iraq and Kosovo. He was brigade commander for the 1st Armored Division and held top leadership positions at the Command and General Staff College and the Defense and Logistics Agency. His 21 medals include Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. His name is on the Kansas State University ROTC Wall of Fame. He lives in Olathe, Kan., where he was chief operating officer for the Kansas State University Olathe Campus.
Vakas says the memories from his three decades of military service make him a firm believer in the value of VVWP.
“There is an ongoing flood of memories and emotions associated with being a veteran,” Vakas says. “Many of them are hard to talk about. You keep a lot inside of yourself, and it weighs you down.
“Writing about your feelings is a way to let it out. It is a private and personal means to confront yourself. You choose the words and express your feelings on paper. It offers a powerful emotional release. In turn, veterans who read the writings of others can often identify with the stories. Shared experience helps to create a pathway of healing. VVWP amplifies veterans’ voices and creates sustained powerful therapy.”
This year’s VPC program will also include recognition of veteran contributors who won awards for their Veterans’ Voices submissions throughout 2021.
Date and Time
Saturday Nov 6, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Saturday November 6, 2021 2:00PM CST
Location
Zoom webinar. Event is free. Register at Veteransvoices.org
http://https://veteransvoices.org/annual-veterans-pen-celebration/or call 816-701-6844 for details
Fees/Admission
Free
Website
Contact Information
Lori Kesinger, 816-701-6844
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