VA announces first broadcast of Creative Arts Festival

WASHINGTON (Aug. 10, 2006) - Americans nationwide will have the opportunity to see the talents of veterans from across the nation this fall with the first syndicated television broadcast of the National
Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

The syndicated broadcast of the Festival, sponsored by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, Help Hospitalized Veterans and the American Legion
Auxiliary, is made possible through a partnership with South Dakota
Public Broadcasting and the National Educational Telecommunications
Association. 

"This broadcast is an unprecedented event that will showcase the hard
work of veterans and the positive impact of the creative arts in the
lives of those who served in uniform," said the Honorable R. James
Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  "For the first time,
Americans from coast to coast will be able to see rehabilitative therapy
in action."

Nicholson was joined in the announcement by Mike Lynch, executive
director of Help  Hospitalized Veterans; Carol Van Kirk, national
president of the American Legion Auxiliary; and Bob Bosse, director of
television for South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

The 2006 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is being held in Rapid
City, South Dakota beginning October 16 and will culminate in a live
stage show of music, dance and drama Sunday, October 22. 

Under the terms of the partnership, VA will work with South Dakota
Public Broadcasting to condense the stage show into a 60-minute
television presentation which will then be closed captioned and
distributed through the National Educational Telecommunications
Association to Public Broadcasting System stations nationwide.  The
target date for the broadcast on local PBS affiliates is the week of
Veterans Day 2006.

"I cannot think of a more fitting Veterans Day tribute than the
broadcast of this fine demonstration of talent by America's veterans,"
said Nicholson.  "We are extremely grateful for the help and cooperation
of South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the National Educational
Telecommunications Association for making this dream a reality."

Approximately 130 veterans will exhibit their artwork or perform
musical, dance, dramatic or original writing selections in a gala
variety show. A professional orchestra will accompany the performance.
All veterans invited to participate are selected winners of year-long,
national fine arts talent competitions at VA medical facilities across
the nation.

VA medical facilities incorporate creative arts into their recreation
therapy programs.  This annual competition recognizes the progress and
recovery made through that therapy, and raises the visibility of the
creative achievements of our nation's veterans after disease, disability
or life crisis.