Veterans’ Voices Significance
Why Does Veterans' Voices Mean So Much?
Writing is known for being a good, safe and easily accessible way to process thoughts, feelings, ideas and trauma. Seeing one’s work published can build self-esteem and help heal. It can mean so much to a veteran when a story, poem or artwork is published in Veterans’ Voices magazine, proving again that writing and creative art is still strong medicine.
The Value of Veterans' Voices... In Veterans' Own Words
Art that Heals By William Shepherd
Honoree Robert T. Rubin Award
VA Medical Center — Wichita, Kan.
“The power of art can take you through time. When you view a painting, it opens your eyes. A painting can bring back memories to a time you may have known or to a place you once saw. It can take you to places of joy and happiness. Your body is being renewed from the inside. A painting can make you feel good, and you may say, ‘I wish I could go there.’ Let your feelings and emotions take you to a place you haven’t traveled to through the wonder of the artist’s gift. God has given you the artist so you can travel somewhere each time you enjoy a painting. So, I say to you that I’m convinced art can heal.”
Sandra L. Cass, Orlando VA Community Living Center. “Veterans’ Voices is literary magic. It takes you into the hearts and minds of men and women who have given so much and, through no fault of their own, find themselves with emotional trauma or a moral injury.”
By William Shepherd
VA Medical Center — El Dorado, Kan.
By Russell Wilson
Georgetown, Ohio
Juan Aguilar, US Army. “At first, I just read the magazine. Then eventually I decided to start writing. Once I did, I found it gave me a better understanding of myself and also helped me in communicating with my family.”
Tim Segrest, U.S Army Special Forces. “I had a choice on that day to either write or commit suicide, and I chose to write. It lets me write out emotions that I feel, and I can forget about it for a while. This is the only place where I can ‘let my demons loose’ and really express myself.”
Diane Wasden, Millen, Ga. “I am in debt to you…. I came across Veterans’ Voices while waiting for my weekly appointment at the VA PTSD-MST Unit. (Stories) all touched my very soul…. Veterans Voices Writing Project is such a wonderful way to reach out and help heal so many soldiers by sharing our pain and good-time memories. It allows us to see that we are not alone on our journey through life.”
Gary Curl writes: "I write to validate my life…. We have all faced many of the same experiences; we all need some validation that what we tried to do was right, yet we suffered for it. Some still, and will continue to, suffer. Am I all healed up? No. Do I feel as though I can get there? I'm closer. To me writing equals value. I feel a little bit useful again. Maybe I can make a difference."
“Thank you for publishing my writing!,” wrote Rich Wangard, Neenah, Wis. “For the last six years you have, and it means the world to me! For well over six years now I have written and worked at trying to stop veteran suicide. Your publication acts as a huge deterrent to that end and gives veterans someplace to express their deepest thoughts and their stories and poems that lead to healing. A place where their art and drawings can be shown to those that understand. A publication that educates any person that was not in the military to help them understand what a veteran is and goes through. By publishing my story in the Spring issue, I was able to raise some funds for Veterans’ Voices on a more successful scale than ever before…. I am delighted to send this large check to support Veterans’ Voices. If this publication saved just one veteran, please tell me how much that is worth. To me, who understands trauma and the effects of war, just one saved veteran is priceless. Thank you for all you do!”
By Wayne Ince
Sun City, Florida