Veteran Writing Group

This past fall, the Butler VA hosted its 3rd annual Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The annual competition recognizes the progress and recovery made through creative therapies and raises the visibility of the creative achievements of our nation’s Veterans. The competition includes five divisions: music, art, drama, dance, and creative writing. 

84 entries were received from local Veterans in 2023, with 14 of those entries being in the creative writing division. All the Veteran members in the Pen & Pencil Writing Group submitted entries. And, they are already working on their entries for the 2024 competition!

Pen & Pencil is a Veterans Writing Group at the Butler VA initiated by U.S. Army Veterans Rich Riley and Larry Conley in July 2022. The group meets twice a month at the Abie Abraham VA Clinic and all Veterans are invited to join the group.

“As one of the founding members of Pen and Pencil, it’s been a great experience. I enjoy sharing my trials and tribulations as a novice writer and, more importantly listening to the writing challenges that our members share with the group,” shared Riley. “I've learned a lot from our members. They offer suggestions and, most importantly encouragement. We have a wonderful group of people, which makes it fun and so enjoyable.”

Rich and co-founder Larry have participated in the Creative Arts Competition for two years now as has U.S. Army Veteran Cheryl Schaefer. Cheryl has also been involved with the Pen and Pencil writing group since its inception. 

“We share ideas for improving our writing and encourage each other. We share what we have written to get feedback. We would love to have more Veterans join our group! Anyone can come and learn to write stories, poetry, whatever they like,” said Schaefer.

For newer writing group members, like Army Veterans Dennis Fillhart and Michael Reinhart, this is their first year submitting writing entries into the competition, but they are both appreciative of the writing group and hope more Veterans will join.

“More Veterans should get involved in the writing group because it gives one a chance to be creative and express oneself,” shared Reinhart.

“No matter what talents you might have, share them with others. It is amazing what I have learned in life just because someone was willing to share their knowledge or skills. We learn from each other,” added Fillhart.

All Veterans, from new to advanced writers are invited to join this Veteran-led writing group at the Butler VA held the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month from 10am-12pm in Room 1RT004. For any questions, please reach out to the Butler VA’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program Manager Karen Dunn, who also serves as the Butler VA’s Veterans Creative Arts Festival Coordinator, at 878-271-6484.

“Writing can be fun, helpful, and even therapeutic,” said Dunn. “Utilizing the arts as a therapeutic approach to depression, anxiety, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, war injuries, etc. is changing the lives of our Veterans.” 

Learn more about the many creative arts opportunities at the Butler VA by calling Karen Dunn.