In January of 2019, I enrolled in a writing course sponsored by the Virginia War Memorial, entitled The Mighty Pen Project. I had served on the board of the Memorial’s Foundation for over eight years and had developed strong feelings about the institution and its mission: to honor veterans, preserve history, educate our youth, and instill patriotism in all.

I benefitted enormously from the program. It was conducted by Professor David L. Robbins, a creative writing guru at Virginia Commonwealth University and novelist, who assembled a class of about a dozen other veterans, several of whom were repeat students. Many wrote fictional pieces, but I used the project to memorialize several of my early memories, some but not all of which occurred during my time as a naval officer in the turbulent ’60s and ’70s.

I hoped to capture several of my more memorable experiences and preserve them for kids, grandkids, friends and other family members. The Mighty Pen Project provided precisely the structure and framework I needed to accomplish this goal. It not only improved my writing skills but also allowed me to bond with other veterans and share their often fascinating stories. I am very grateful to the Virginia War Memorial for this opportunity.

Hugh D. Keogh

May, 2019