Mighty Pen Project

“In speaking to a group of fellow Civil War veterans, Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes observed, ‘We have shared the incommunicable experience of war, we have felt, we still feel, the passion of life to its top. In our youth our hearts were touched by fire.’ His remarks ring true with veterans even today, just as they did when he first delivered them more than a century ago. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s Mighty Pen Project is am important way for veterans to tell the story of how their hearts have been touched by fire. You will be moved and inspired by their words.”

-Charles F. Bryan, Jr., U.S. ARMY (1971 – 1973)

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation provides a number of free creative outlets for veterans and the means by which their work may be enjoyed by all.

The Mighty Pen Project is an intensive writing class designed to help and encourage veterans and their loved ones commit to paper their memories and reflections.

These writings together forming a living documentary of American military service. The Foundation provides the Mighty Pen Project writing classes free of charge, offering creative writing instruction so that students may develop their memories into a complete written narrative. Classes are taught by author and creative writing professor David L. Robbins.

THe fall session of the mighty pen project is now accepting applications.

Do you want to preserve your military experiences? Are you a family member or friend who has been connected to military service through your loved ones?

Now is the time to share your stories.

OPEN – Mighty Pen Project In-Person Class: Wednesday, June 18 – September 10, 2025

Mighty Pen Project Application Form - Fall 2025 (In-Person Session)

Full Name*
Email Address*
Phone Number*
Address*
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Class Registration*
- Mighty Pen Project In-Person Class: June 18 - September 10, 2025 at the Virginia War Memorial
Why do you want to attend?*
How did you find out about the Mighty Pen Project?*
What is your connection to the military?*

This course is open to all veterans and spouses of veterans. Classes will be held in-person at the Virginia War Memorial for 13 weeks, on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

All classes are hosted free-of-charge as a benefit to veterans.

Now in its tenth year, the Mighty Pen Project has grown to include a variety of mediums and outlets:

Mighty pen project journal

Every year, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation publishes a curated collection of original works from the past year’s classes of the Mighty Pen Project.

The written works included in the Mighty Pen Project Journal range from creative fiction to personal stories to poetry to plays.

Supporters of the Foundation receive a complimentary copy of the journal. But several groups regularly request additional copies for book club discussions, educational purposes, and more.

To request copies of the Mighty Pen Project Journal, email us at mightypen@vawarmemorial.org.

War in Pieces

War in Pieces is a festival of one-act plays hosted and produced by the The Virginia War Memorial Foundation in collaboration with our local Richmond theater partners.

The festival provides MPP students with the opportunity to see their written narratives come to life through theatrical productions.

This year, the VWMF is once again partnering with Firehouse Theatre of Richmond. The works of four playwrights will be performed at the Memorial from April 4 – 13, 2025 and is made possible by a generous grant from The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

Learn more about War In Pieces.

Photo Credit: Bill Sigafoos

Read more about the production in our Richmond Magazine feature.

Mighty Pen Podcast

The Mighty Pen Podcast premiered in January 2024. It is a culmination of ten years of Mighty Pen writing classes and shared veterans stories.

As part of the tenth anniversary of the MPP, the podcast brings select stories to life with dramatic readings by professional actors. The readings will be followed by interviews with the writers themselves.

This program shares a vast range of experiences had by veterans and their families during war and peace times, during and after their service. The Mighty Pen Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the VWMF YouTube Channel.

Listen to the premiere episode HERE.

View the authors and their biographies HERE.

ONLINE ARCHIVES

If you are interested in reading selected work by students from previous classes, you may browse stories at VCU Scholars Compass.

MIGHTY PEN ARCHIVES

Are you interested in hosting a Mighty Pen Project class in your region of Virginia?

The Foundation is open to educators and volunteers to help with veteran programming and outreach across the Commonwealth. Contact us at info@vawarmemorial.org for more information about hosting a Mighty Pen Project class.

If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to us at mightypen@vawarmemorial.org.