Veterans Day: The Writers’ Program Veterans

This Friday November 10th is Veterans Day, a day to honor the many men and women who have served in our armed forces. November is also Veterans & Military Families Month and Warrior Care Month, a time to reflect on how we care for veterans and the sacrifices these men, women, and their families make.

The Writers’ Program is an academic home to several veterans, some who were generous enough to chat with us about their time in service, their writing, and what this Friday means to them.

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John-Peter Cruz

Can you tell me a bit about you? Your background, where you grew up?

Born and raised in Queens, New York. I rode my motorcycle cross country and moved to the San Fernando Valley close to about a year and a half ago. The trip took me 4.5 days.

What made you decide to join the military?

I’ve always wanted it to be a part of my life story and to receive military training. There also was a large influence from television and film.

Can you tell me about your military career? (Where were you stationed. Etc.)

 I initially joined a New York Engineering Unit in the U.S. Army Reserves prior to passing the age limit. Soon after, I volunteered for a deployment and spent some time in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Then I reclassed (changed jobs) and joined a Psychological Operations Unit. I recently finished my contract in March 2023.

How did you find your way to writing?

During the pandemic, I was alone in my apartment and watched Issa Rae teach a classon the streaming platform, Masterclass. I took her advice and wrote a pilot. It was an ode to my three best friends and the five boroughs of NY, for having shaped me as a human being.

How did you find your way to the Writers’ Program?

Story, story, story. I was reading various books on screenwriting and wanted some more in person guidance. My search led me to the Writers’ Program, especially because of its outward support to veterans.

Any classes you have especially enjoyed?

 I’ll always remember my first in-person class, “Anatomy of a Pilot”. It was at Bunche Hall. The instructor loves the industry, and his passion was infectious. I was taking a class and discussing television intellectually! If that wasn’t a welcome to LA, the palm trees in the center of the building definitely initiated me.

What are you writing now?

Just finished the first draft of a feature screenplay in class. I’m excited to do multiple passes on it. As the instructors say, “Writing is re-writing”.

What does, “thank you for your service” mean to you?

I’m always appreciative of the support and intent of the phrase. I do also believe that we all contribute to a greater whole.

How will you be spending this veteran’s day?

I will be observing the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act by taking two minutes at 11:11am PST in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation. I will also call a couple of buddies I served with overseas. It’s a great excuse to check-in and catch up.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’ve admittedly forgotten the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day and why Veterans Day is on the 11th. As a friendly reminder to myself and to those that may not be aware, Memorial Day is for honoring members who died in service to the county. Veterans Day is to thank those who served honorably in the military. This is inclusive to those who served in peace or wartime and both the living and dead. Veterans Day is on the 11th in celebration of the ending of World War I (Armistice Day).

https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/vetday.pdf

Shayla Sullivan

 Can you tell me a bit about you? Your background, where you grew up?

 I was born in Memphis TN, but my early childhood was in Wichita KS. I returned to Memphis, graduated high school in 1995 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps, active duty.

What made you decide to join the military?

I remember when the armed services came to high school, recruiting in their shiny uniforms. I was both impressed and intimidated by the Marine Corps; their uniforms were the sharpest, their men and women had the least smiley faces. This, coupled with me wanting to leave home and “escape” my mentally abusive mother made me early enlist in the 11th grade, with a “ship” date being one week after high school graduation.

Can you tell me about your military career? (Where were you stationed. Etc.)

Like anyone living east of the Mississippi River, I was stationed at Parris Island, SC for basic training. My MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) was Personnel Administration. This was based on my ASVAB test scores from high school and my strong ability to read and write exceptionally well.

Occupational training occurred a few months later at Camp LeJeune, NC. The next month, I was flown to Okinawa Japan for an entire year, then to the 4th Marine Air Wing in New Orleans.  Later, I was stationed in Memphis with TAD (Temporary Active Duty) in Maryland.

How did you find your way to writing?

I began reading around age 4 and had a passion to read and write all day, every day. I wrote poetry and short stories in grade school and was awarded a Creative Writing Talent by 9th grade. I continued to write throughout the Marine Corps (professionally) and then began a freelance writing and editing business by 2018.

 How did you find your way to the Writers’ Program?

 I realized that I could be more credible and skilled with additional college courses in the publishing and writing fields. I contacted the VA to check for this type of benefit, and my counselor helped me to find a school that offered these courses that was eligible for the VA benefit.

 Any classes you have especially enjoyed?

 I am thrilled about the new knowledge I am learning in my publishing courses (Editorial Toolbox and Copyediting) and I feel really confident of the new novel writing skills I am acquiring in my Sci-Fi and Horror Novel Writing courses.

 What are you writing now?

 A sci-fi (near-future technology, cyberpunk) and a horror novel (werewolf subgenre).

What does, “thank you for your service” mean to you?

I have always taken that phrase to mean that a person is recognizing (honoring) me for volunteering my youthful years to protect our nation, and understanding the risks that I assumed in doing so. Civilians must understand that veterans suffer greatly on and off the battlefield with PTSD and a host of other conditions that may not be seen on the outside.  The phrase is always well-received.

How will you be spending this veteran’s day?

 Likely watching Youtube videos on today’s Marine Corps basic training to compare to  my own.

 

Gabe Heckel

Can you tell me a bit about you? Your background, where you grew up?

I was born in Santiago, Chile and adopted into a large Italian family from New York. I’ve lived in New York, Florida, Texas, and Northern Virginia. I currently reside in the DC-Metro area with my wife and two sons.

What made you want to join the military?

National service appealed for sure. Beyond that, I was particularly interested in education benefits to later pursue higher education and valuable professional experience. I truly received all that and much much more! The personal growth from has been immeasurable.

Can you tell me about your military career?

I was a counterintelligence analyst. I was one of the special people that joined to see the world and instead only saw various parts of Texas 🙂 We wanted Europe or Asia, but I can’t complain.

How did you find your way to writing?

I’ve always enjoyed storytelling but it was filmmaking in general that got me into writing. I’ve directed four short films and intend to scale that effort and there is no film without a script. So for me writing is something I do to avoid being dependent on someone else to begin a film project.

Any classes you have especially enjoyed?

I opted for the Screenwriting Comprehensive which covers both TV and Feature Film. I’ve enjoyed everything but as someone who enjoys movies far more than television, I was surprised how much I loved writing for TV (specifically, one-hour drama).

What does “thank you for your service” mean to you?

It’s difficult because while every service member offers the nation a blank check, not everyone sacrifices the same. My family and I remained safe and intact and I know others in the military where that’s not the case. I’m honored to be thanked alongside them but more so humbled as a fellow beneficiary of their sacrifice.

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Thank you veterans. We honor your service and are proud to have you as thriving members of our Writers’ Program Community.