Honoring our Veterans on Veterans Day and at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

By sheila | November 11, 2014

Today is Veterans Day or Armistice Day, as it was once know. The United States is honoring our men and women who serve and who have served in the United States Military. Two weeks ago my husband and I were honored and thrilled to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Milwaukee Theater.

We learned about this amazing and memorable event from our dear friends Colonel (R) Jill Willig Chambers and her husband, country music star, Michael Peterson. Jill and Michael create This Able Vet LLC™, which “EMPOWERS Veterans and communities through the ARTS via Michael Peterson’s nationally recognized powerful moving tribute and insight to our military men and women who have stepped up in service to their Nation.”

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is presented by the American Legion Auxiliary, which is the World’s Largest Women’s Patriotic Service Organization, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The festival originated as two separate events in 1981 as the VET ARTS competition and National Music Competition for Veterans. In 1984the stage show was added and the name was changed to The Music Festival. Now, The Music Festival and VET ARTS have become the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, which show cases the artistic achievements of veterans across the US. The website explains the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) as a celebration and grand finale stage and art show, which are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system. The veterans exhibit their artwork or perform musical, dance, dramatic or original writing selections in a gala variety show. A professional orchestra accompanies the festival performance.

Michael has been the Master of Ceremonies since 1910. Jordan and I loved listening to Michael’s respectful, warm, humorous, and caring introduction for each talented performer and his heart-felt singing performance that closed the festival!

Like the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Facebook Page and enjoy some the terrific pictures!

All veterans are invited to participate and the selected winners of year-long, national fine arts talent competitions in which thousands of Veterans enter. May of the Veterans are from VA medical facilities across the nation.

We plan on sharing this information with one of Jordan’s’ high school friends, who is a Viet Nam Veteran and talented artist. If you know a talented Veteran, who you think would like to know more about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, please share this blog post with them.

To my family members, friends, and all the Veterans who have served and continue to serve our country and keep us safe to enjoy our freedom, “Thank you for your service and know you are remembered with respect and gratitude!

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