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Every Veteran has a Story to Tell

Since 2011 we have partnered with organizations across the state to provide veterans and their families with an outlet for self-expression through writing. Our Veterans Programs offer support to both new and experienced writers through workshops, readings, a podcast, and an annual publication, Proud to Be. Together, these programs encourage hundreds of veterans each year to tell their stories.

Veterans Photo

Proud to Be Anthology Series

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors is a creative writing anthology of poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, and photography submissions by and about veterans from across the nation. The anthology preserves and shares the perspectives of our soldiers, veterans, and their families — spanning generations.

This yearly anthology is funded by the Missouri Humanities, edited by Dr. James Brubaker, and published by Southeast Missouri State University Press.

Thank you to our book contributors, judges, editors, and readers for making PTB possible. A special thanks to Deborah Marshall, founder of the Warriors Arts Alliance, who laid the groundwork for this successful program.

GETTING VETERANS INVOLVED

Veterans Writing Workshops

Missouri Humanities’ Veterans Writing Workshops provide veterans, service members, and their families with the writing and narrative skills to empower them to better share their stories, thoughts, and experiences.

These workshops are FREE of charge and taught by writers and educators. The workshop facilitators provide professional writing instruction and leadership through high-quality, dynamic workshop facilitation, guiding participants through writing exercises with meaningful feedback. Participants are not required to write solely on their military experience. Beginners to advanced writers welcome.

These in-person workshops are a collaborative effort and available for any organization(s) in Missouri wanting to engage with its local veterans and military-connected community. Please click the link below.

 

Thank you to Veterans United Foundation for supporting our 2024 Veterans Programs! Veterans United works to enhance the lives of Veterans and military families and support diverse needs in our local communities and across the nation. Their generous support will help us provide veterans and their families with an outlet for self-expression through writing throughout this year!

Military Trails of Missouri

The Military Trails of Missouri program invites families and individuals to visit military museums, memorials, and battlefields throughout Missouri to learn about the state’s rich military history. The program consists of twelve museums, memorials, and Civil War battle sites.

Proud to Be Podcast

Our Proud To Be Podcast highlights veterans, military personnel, and family members published in Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors—a creative writing anthology that preserves and shares our nation’s military experience through poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, and photography.