‘You have to get it out’: Veterans read stories aloud at writing commemoration
Military veteran panelists discussed why they joined the military and their experiences with writing on Friday night. Later in the weekend, each one got a chance to read some of their work for other workshop participants. Ruth Brisson | Contributing Writer
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For Marine Corps veteran and author Brian O’Hare, writing his book was like removing a tumor, healing a part of him that never quite made sense. Four veteran authors celebrated the power of writing at Veterans Writing Weekend this weekend.
“In itself, writing is very therapeutic,” O’Hare said. “I have a writing teacher who would say, ‘You don’t have to be happy, you just have to write. You have to get it out.’”
Veterans Writing Weekend commemorated the most recent recipient of the Veterans Writing Award in 2023, Robin Michel Caudell. The event, which spanned from Friday evening to Sunday, gave veteran authors the opportunity to discuss and read aloud their works.
Caudell, O’Hare and fellow writers Dewaine Farria and Jenny Pacanowski, talked about their work and the array of issues their pieces cover in a panel discussion on Friday night. The discussion was moderated by Cassiah Sears, who used to work for the National Veterans Resource Center.
Every other year, Syracuse University Press selects one veteran author from hundreds of submissions as the recipient of the Veterans Writing Award. SU Press publishes the winner’s book, and the author receives a $1,000 prize. O’Hare and Farria are both past winners of the award.
Caudell read aloud from part of her book, “Black Heel Strings: A Choptank Memoir,” about her experience growing up on Maryland’s Northeastern Shore and discovering the history of who and where she came from. The section she read Friday night revealed her family roots and how her family members are connected. Her book will be published in the spring.
“When my daughter was born, I wanted her to know her ancestors, her seven generations on each side of her family,” Caudell said.
The panel started after the discussion, and authors dove into why they decided to serve. Authors said they had a history of service in their family, and some, like O’Hare and Pacanowski, said they felt pressure to join the military because of it.
“My father was in the Marine Corps…and I thought he wanted me to go into the military, I thought that’s what was happening,” Pacanowski said. “I say I wasn’t raised, I was trained.”
Other panelists shared a similar sentiment about being drawn into military service because of various factors. Caudell said the military seemed like the only option due to internal family pressures and the need for job security that the military brings.
Panelists also responded to the question: “Who are you writing for?”
Many of the authors said the first person they write for is themselves. Others, like O’Hare, said they write for someone who can see themselves through their story.
“Other people who went to service or other marine officers… if they do pick up my book ‘Surrender,’ it may give them enough freedom so to speak to go ‘I’m not alone,’” O’Hare said.
Pacanowski said her writing reflects her own personal experiences, paving the way for others to share theirs. She said she wants to make space for everyone to speak, whatever their story might be.
On Saturday night, the authors read sections of some of their stories. Pacanowski, O’Hare and Farria read from their books and poetry. Farria chose to read out a section from his upcoming book, “Gods and Wolves,” which is likely being published within the next year, he said. The story takes the reader through different characters who all take turns as the narrator.
“If you’re writing a fictional character whose identity is different from yours, my goal is that I try to make sure that I have someone in my life like that, that I love,” Farria said.
SU has a long history of supporting veterans and commemorating those who return after serving, Lisa Kuerbis, co-coordinator of the event, said. O’Hare said the NVRC is a monument to that commitment.
O’Hare said he felt like this event not only brought him closer to the Syracuse community, but he found people, such as Farria, whom he felt like he’d known his whole life. Kuerbis said the process allows not only the winners to feel seen, but anyone that submitted an application.
“I get responses from some submission authors saying, ‘I know this is not going to win but I’m just grateful somebody’s going to read it, that I can just put it on paper and get it out,’ Kuerbis said. “It’s really therapeutic to write your story down and to have somebody else read it.”
