Former Green Beret wins Gold Medal in VA Creative Arts Competition

Mefferd, who served in the Army from 1985 to 1993 as an Arabic linguist and green beret, submitted an entry titled “Worthy of Fighting For” which discussed the true meaning of military service – the fight for the man or woman next to you.

“I sweat, fought, and bled for that man beside me in the tattered uniform and stubbled face who was overcome with fear and looked to me for guidance, camaraderie, and love.  I honor that brother, for I depended on him in the same way,” wrote Mefferd.

Mefferd was one of more than 1,500 Veterans who participated in the 2022 competition, which included competitions at local VA hospitals. First place winners at local sites competed nationally for a chance to win a gold medal.

“I decided to try my hand at it,” said Mefferd, who was one of 31 Veterans who participated in  Houston VA competition. “I thought it would be a good form of therapy for myself and I’d be able to meet other Veterans that have gone through the same thing.”

Mefferd’s journey to military service is definitely a unique one. He grew up in the Middle East due to his father’s work in the oil and gas industry. He ended up mastering Arabic and followed in his father’s footsteps.

Despite a successful career in Saudi Araba, the call to serve was too loud to ignore. At the age of 27, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and became an Arabic linguist. Ultimately though, he wanted to become a special operator.

“I just woke up one day and said I want to do something while I still have the physical vigor to do it,” said Mefferd. “I want to go through the training and that’s why I had to join. It was a good decision, even though financially I probably lost a lot of money. But at the end of the day, as long as you have enough to eat and a dry space to live, you’re in pretty good shape.”

Mefferd made it through the mentally and physically demanding special forces training and earned the title of green beret.

“I knew I’d have the opportunity because they needed Arabic language,” said Mefferd who specialized in intelligence for his team.

In addition to combat in Iraq during Desert Storm, he deployed countless times to some of the most dangerous places in the world including Mogadishu, Somalia.

“Being in combat is distilled down to being in the dirt, suffering, fear and the constant unknown,” said Mefferd, who also served as a counter-terrorism agent for the Department of Homeland Security after the Army. “The thing that really got you through was your comrades.”

National Creative Arts Festival

In addition to a first place finish, Mefferd was also one of only 110 Veterans who were invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in St. Louis, which is reserved for the best of the best. He said he was blown away by the event and by how talented the other Veterans were.

“It was beyond my expectations with how well run it was,” he said. “We had writing workshops and I got to work with some really talented people who were anywhere from their 20s to Veterans in their 80s. It was an exceptional opportunity to share your art and talk with others like minded Veterans.”

Sheryl Corbit, a Houston VA recreational therapist and local creative arts coordinator, relished her first opportunity to attend a festival.

“I was very happy for Sgt. Mefferd and to be honest, myself,” said Corbit, who has led the Houston competition for four years. “His win afforded me the opportunity to attend. I had heard about the festivals from Veterans who previously attended and how wonderful they are. I had hoped to be able to attend one.”

2023 Houston VA Creative Arts Competition

Houston VA will hold the annual competition on July 12th with entries due on July 3rd. Categories include art, creative writing, music, dance and drama.

“Our Houston competition provides Veterans an opportunity to showcase their talents and share their gifts and talents with others,” said Corbit. “It’s a way to share their joy as well as inspire others to try their hands or voice in creative endeavors.”

Mefferd encourages aspiring artists not to focus on whether their art will stand out above the rest. He said it’s simply important to tell your story.

“Everybody's got a story to tell, whether it's visual art, written art or performing arts,” he said. “Just go for it because it will be fun and be an overall positive experience for you. You’re going to hone your art on the crucible of competition. Don’t be intimidated by it or discouraged. My last name’s not Hemingway either.”