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Our Mission
We believe in the transformative power of story.
Through dialogue, workshop, and performance, veterans, first responders, and their families gain new understanding about themselves and the world around them. Empowered, they seek integration back into the community, and at the same time the community gains new perspective and understanding about what it means to serve.
Our Mission
Programs & Events
A Reading of Narrative Nonfiction
Join us for a reading of narrative nonfiction told through the various lenses of the military family, followed by a discussion between the writers and audience. Writers featured are:
- Elizabeth Coplan
- Sarah Cosgrove
- Cherielyn Ferguson
- Richard Fluck
- Kate McLeod
Facilitated by Leilani Squire.
Saturday, May 3, 2025. Online via Zoom.
3:00pm - 4:30pm PST
Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day
Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day is a powerful three-hour immersive experience dedicated to honoring our military and Veteran communities, especially those affected by the Los Angeles fires. This event will provide a space for reflection, storytelling, and collective healing, ensuring that the sacrifices of our service members are never forgotten.
A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor.
Reflections:
Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic
Writing Workshop and Public Reading Project
Join us for a powerful and moving evening as frontline nurses share their stories from the heart of the pandemic. After participating in a series of intensive writing workshops designed to explore their vital roles and process their experiences, these dedicated healthcare professionals will read their original works to the community.
A program in collaboration with
Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing.
Ongoing Event — Join Us!
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
The Letters Project
Across Time: Love & Humanity During War
An original theatrical production inspired by letters from past wars and conflicts that provide a poignant window into the hopes, fears, and experiences of those who served.
Read more about the play, the cast, and the veteran playwrights at the link below.
The Letters Project is a collaboration of ArtsUP! LA & RETURNING SOLDIERS SPEAK.
Programs & Events
A Reading of Narrative Nonfiction
Join us for a reading of narrative nonfiction told through the various lenses of the military family, followed by a discussion between the writers and audience. Writers featured are:
- Elizabeth Coplan
- Sarah Cosgrove
- Cherielyn Ferguson
- Richard Fluck
- Kate McLeod
Facilitated by Leilani Squire.
Saturday, May 3, 2025. Online via Zoom.
3:00pm - 4:30pm PST
Grief Dialogues:
Memorial Day
Grief Dialogues: Memorial Day is a powerful three-hour immersive experience dedicated to honoring our military and Veteran communities, especially those affected by the Los Angeles fires. This event will provide a space for reflection, storytelling, and collective healing, ensuring that the sacrifices of our service members are never forgotten.
A program in collaboration with Grief Dialogues, Returning Soldiers Speak, and In Their Honor.
Reflections:
Nurses on the Frontline During the Pandemic
Writing Workshop and Public Reading Project
Join us for a powerful and moving evening as frontline nurses share their stories from the heart of the pandemic. After participating in a series of intensive writing workshops designed to explore their vital roles and process their experiences, these dedicated healthcare professionals will read their original works to the community.
A program in collaboration with
Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing.
Ongoing Event — Join Us!
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
Veteran's Creative Writing Workshop
All Writers WelcomePoetry, Prose, Creative Nonfiction and everything in between...
Thursdays 4pm - 6pm PST
Online via Zoom.
Must be registered to join.
The Letters Project
Across Time: Love & Humanity During War
An original theatrical production inspired by letters from past wars and conflicts that provide a poignant window into the hopes, fears, and experiences of those who served.
Read more about the play, the cast, and the veteran playwrights at the link below.
The Letters Project is a collaboration of ArtsUP! LA & RETURNING SOLDIERS SPEAK.
The Latest
Dream and Implications
Ralph Carlson
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
The Latest
Dream and Implications
Ralph Carlson
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
The Latest
Dream and Implications
Ralph Carlson
Fire & Flowers
Kyrie Ravencry
First-Time Playwright Speaks
Ken Klemm
My First Time Writing A Stageplay
Benjamin Fortier
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.
Our Approach
Since the inception of Returning Soldiers Speak, we have held the belief that a neutral space allows our veterans, first responders, and their families to express their views and stories without fear of being judged or rejected. If we had said, “We are a liberal organization,” then the veteran with conservative views might have turned away. If we had said, “We are a conservative organization,” then the veteran with liberal views might have fled. It does not matter to us if the veteran’s views are to the left or to the right or in the middle of the political spectrum.
What has always mattered is that we offer a safe place for veterans to write their stories, and a venue for them to tell their stories, to speak their truths.