Walla Walla Veterans Home Retreat

Operation Song® conducted its first retreat with the VA Veterans Home in Walla Walla, Washington on June 21, 2023. Funded through a grant provided to the VA, this retreat allowed us to bring three Songwriters out west for a one-day retreat.

State Representative, Tina Orwell, made the connection between Operation Song® and the VA after our presentation at the 2022 NCSL Conference in Denver, attended by Mike Byer, Bob Regan & Joe Forte. Washington State VA Director, David Puente, was also in attendance.

The morning began with the standard meet & greet, which also pairs the veterans with songwriters. The retreat was honored to pair participants Richard & Beverly Shortridge, Buddy & Eileen Davis as well as Bill Gray with our talented songwriters, Pete Sallis, Laurel Taylor & Tom McElvain. They produced the songs “Worth Fighting For” (Richard, Beverly, Pete), “Buddy & Eileen” (Buddy, Eileen, Tom) and “I’m Sorry (Phyllis)” (Bill, Laurel).

Later that afternoon, the conclusion of the retreat included a performance of all the songs that were written. The performance was open to all veterans and staff of the home, and it should come as no shock that everyone was blown away.

Director Puente very much wants Operation Song® to return to the VA Veterans Home, and we would be honored to create a continued presence in the great state of Washington.

Walla Walla Veterans Home is located at 77 Wainwright Drive in Walla Walla, WA.