Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center   Site Home > Local Features > Writing Workshop for Veterans JCMVAMC Hosts Writing Workshop for Veterans Vietnam Veteran Mark Saunders was one of nine Veterans who attended the workshop and he said he hoped the workshop would give him inspiration to finish a fiction novel about the Vietnam War. The Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center (JCMVAMC) hosted a Warrior Writers workshop on Jan. 23, 2012 which was led by Iraq War Veteran Amber Stone who receives her care at the medical center.  The two-hour workshop introduced Veterans to the benefits of writing and gave them an opportunity to write a short essay and then discuss their writing with other Veterans. Stone began the class by explaining what Warrior Writers is about.  She stated that the workshop is part of a Veterans’ organization that seeks to connect Veterans with each other and also compile Veterans’ writings and art into books, performances and exhibits. Then she discussed how writing has helped her cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which she developed while serving in Iraq as a combat medic. “People don’t realize how therapeutic (writing) can be,” said Stone, who has been leading Warrior Writers’ workshops since 2009.  “So I wanted to share that with others so I can help as many people as possible.” Vietnam Veteran Mark Saunders was one of nine Veterans who attended the workshop and he said he hoped the workshop would give him inspiration to finish a fiction novel about the Vietnam War. “(Writing) is a stress reliever for me,” said Saunders, who served as a combat engineer with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.  “I think it’s a good way to release a lot of those dreams and things you think about.  If you will put it down on paper, I think it helps you to come to grips with it.  I really do.” Saunders said he especially enjoyed the discussion portion of the workshop. “I don’t normally share these things with anyone, including my family,” he said. “But I feel like these people are family, because they’re Veterans, so I opened up a little bit.  Normally, I don’t think I would.” If you missed the workshop on Jan. 23, Stone will lead additional workshops at the medical center on Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium.  Stone said Veterans can expect to write two or three essays during a workshop depending on the amount of discussion among Veterans. The workshop is open to all Veterans and prior writing experience is not required.  For more information, please contact Deborah Moreno at 918-577-4014. Visit our Facebook page to view more photos of the Warrior Writers workshop! row 2