https://wyoarts.state.wy.us/call-for-entries-11th-annual-veterans-creative-arts-festival/
The veterans administration
Over the years the Veterans Administration has been criticized for many things including inadequate health care, unnecessary and excessive spending, poor leadership, and low morale. I can’t speak to any of that because I’m not a veteran.
I can, however, speak about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Legion Auxiliary, because a few years ago I attended one of their events and I got to see and hear my brother perform. It was
AMAZING!
the national veterans creative arts festival
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is a venue for veterans who receive health care through the VA. Their services include inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, and mental health care.1 The Festival is a showcase so veterans can demonstrate their remarkable talents in music, drama, dance, art, or creative writing. The Festival, a competitive event, “is open to Veterans who . . . receive care through the Department of Veterans Affairs AND are enrolled at a VA Medical Center, Outpatient Clinic, or Vets Center.”2
While serving in the Navy my brother developed serious heart disease and other health problems. Fortunately he has received excellent health care from the VA. For several years he participated in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival at the national level and has a number of gold medal awards for his remarkable musical talent playing the drums. He began drumming at a very young age. It’s a joy to watch him behind his drums. The music surrounds him and he seems to become one with his instruments.
My daughter, Jean, my best friend, Susan, and I attended one of the National Festivals where Bill performed. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I had a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I watched Bill perform in front of a large audience in a packed auditorium.
My words are inadequate to describe the power you experience in seeing a performance at a National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
see a youtube recording of the festival in reno
Don’t take my word for it. Click on the link below to watch the 2013 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival which was held at Reno. You won’t regret it. The show is 58 minutes and 18 seconds long and includes fabulous acts and interviews with some of the performers. You may not have time to watch the entire thing in one sitting. That’s okay because you can always go back later.
Don’t deny yourself this treat. Watch the entire performance. You will be moved beyond words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm-aE6joSoA (accessed 8/28/22)
Sources
1https://www.usa.gov/veteran-health(accessed 8/28/22)
2 https://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/national-veterans-creative-arts-festival/ (accessed 8/28/22)
