SALISBURY — Three local veterans representing the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center won national recognition in the annual National Veterans Creative Arts Festival competition.
Hugh Deadwyler took second place nationally for his humorous essay, “My Father’s Folly.”
Ronald Conroy secured two second-place national titles for his freestyle dance performance, “Dancing Machine” and inspirational essay, “Building Four Ward Four 87 Paces.” Paul Hill Jr. also won two second-place national titles for his guitar playing of the patriotic solo, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and religious solo, “He Leadeth Me.”
The Creative Arts Festival at Salisbury is sponsored by recreational therapy, voluntary services and the American Legion Auxiliary Department of North Carolina.
The competition is an annual event that provides veterans receiving treatment at VA facilities the opportunity to participate in creative self-expression in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music as part of their therapy, and to gain recognition for these artistic accomplishments.
First-place winners from the national competition will be invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, hosted this year by the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Ark., the week of October 17-24 with the art exhibit and stage show performance on Oct. 23.