In 2009 I read a short story called The Noble Truths of Suffering by Aleksander Hemon. This story ranks #2 on my list of all-time favorites. My #1 short story is called Resurrection of a Life by William Saroyan published in 1935. Standing at #3 is a story by Ernest Hemingway entitled A Clean Well-Lighted Place.

These stories share a common theme. War is in the background. The characters cope to find meaning after severe loss. Their search for relief brings more pain upon themselves and others. The characters do find meaning, but not how you think.

When I discovered these stories, I was writing in the dark, unpublished. I showed few people. It was an intense time of my life. War was in the news daily, but my part was finished. I wrote because I could not speak. The pen became my voice.

Many years later, my path aligned one afternoon with the steps of The Library of Congress. Inside one of its Great Reading Rooms, I gave an interview about my experience to the Veterans History Project. From that day forward, I began to brainstorm about a veterans poetry initiative.

Fortunately, along my path, I also met – and was met by – many great people. Some were educators, and some were veterans themselves. One person who influenced me greatly was someone I had never met face-to-face. His name was Edward Lull, a retired Navy Commander who served over 50 years. After his retirement from the military, he began to teach writing workshops in the Tidewater region. He also became the President of The Poetry Society of Virginia.

I was the society’s new Treasurer when I took charge of Mr. Lull’s papers as an errand for the society’s Archivist. Mr. Lull had just passed away. I read his finished and unfinished manuscripts; leafed gently through his handcrafted guides for leading poetry workshops; and examined his notes on being a writer. This gift helped me reexamine my own efforts.

Concurrently, I had the honor of meeting Dr. Mattie Quesenberry Smith, the 2024-2026 Poet Laurate of the State of Virginia. She was not a veteran but listened intently as I shared thoughts. Then, a new President of The Poetry Society of Virginia, Dr. Kathleen Decker, established a contest in Ed Lull’s honor. The theme of the contest was Perseverance and Resilience. Of all the initiatives these two leaders could have chosen, they chose to elevate the veteran community.

This summer I stepped down as Treasurer of The Poetry Society of Virginia after three years. I deeply enjoyed the opportunity of meeting poets and writers across the state and country, helping their work see daylight. Before departing the office, I was fortunate to attend the official book launch of the Veterans Poetry Project anthology. It was a special day. The veterans who chose to read their poetry were benefited as much as those who listened.

One of my favorite highlights of the day was afterwards, when another veteran said to me, This is the first time that my poetry has ever been published.

Dr. Quesenberry’s laureateship has concluded. The initiative plans to continue as a nonprofit literary organization.

One can never give back as much as they have received.

~ W.D.H.

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