VA Honors Veterans Who Are Artists, Performers

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Coming to San Antonio

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 120 Veterans from
across the country who are medal winners in national music, dance, drama,
creative writing or visual arts contests are preparing to attend the National
Veterans Creative Arts Festival in San Antonio from Oct. 5-11.

"The Creative Arts Festival represents the top achievements of Veterans
participating in VA art therapy throughout the nation," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Their achievements are a testament to the
outstanding care and rehabilitative techniques used to pave the way toward
recovery for our nation's most deserving men and women."

The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is presented by the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and the American
Legion Auxiliary. It is hosted this year by the South Texas Veterans Health
Care System in San Antonio.

The festival is the culmination of a year-long fine arts talent competition
involving nearly 3,500 participants nationwide. It is open to all Veterans
receiving care at VA medical facilities.

"It is truly an honor for the American Legion Auxiliary to support the
National Veterans Creative Arts Festival," said National President Rita
Navarrete. "This phenomenal event affords our Veterans a unique outlet for
their creative expression and is incredibly inspiring for everyone who is
privileged to attend."

At this year's event, these talented Veterans will come to San Antonio for a
week of rehearsals and workshops, concluding on Sunday, Oct. 11, with a visual
art exhibit and gala variety stage show at the San Antonio Municipal
Auditorium.

"The Board of Directors of HHV is again thrilled and privileged to co-sponsor
the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival with VA and the American Legion
Auxiliary," said Mike Lynch, HHV president and CEO. "HHV wishes to
congratulate all Veterans who entered into this national competition, for you
have shared your fantastic performing and visual arts abilities with America."

The artists will exhibit their work from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday,
October 11, at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium. At 2 p.m., performers in
music, drama and dance, as well as the creative writing winners, will showcase
their talents in an entertaining stage show backed by a professional
orchestra.

Heloise, from "Hints from Heloise," will serve as the festival stage show's
mistress of ceremonies for the first time. Actress Bo Derek, honorary
chairperson of VA's National Rehabilitation Special Events, is expected to
attend the event again this year.

For further information about the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival,
contact Jeanne Stith at (202) 461-7448, or log on to the festival's Web site
at: www.creativeartsfestival.va.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Public Affairs, +1-202-461-7600