Orlando VA Healthcare System

Timothy W. Liezert, Orlando VA Medical Center Director, congratulates Lorraine Hill after presenting her a medal earned in the 2012 National Veterans Creative Arts Competition.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Formation running in boot camp conjures many emotions among Soldiers, and most are generally negative.  For one retired Sergeant First Class however, what began as a challenge had lasting impact on her in terms of determination, dedication and motivation, qualities she now shares with Veterans both at work and on the stage.

Meet Lorraine Hill, a Medical Support Assistant here whose Army experiences and acting skills garnered her second place in the dramatic performance category in this year’s National Veterans Creative Arts Competition in Boston.  Her topic of performance: Life is a Boot Camp.

“Acting is not new to me as I have taken a few acting classes and auditioned for a number of parts,” said Hill.  “I’ve been told I have great stage presence and for me it’s fun role playing.”

For more than 23 years, Hill played the part of Soldier and her opening act at basic training proved a challenge, especially with all the running.

“I belong to the Orlando VA Toastmasters and one of my speeches was about how I made it through boot camp despite a failed marriage, a tough drill sergeant, the three or four mile runs and yes, being almost 30 years old,” she said. 

Yet despite the obstacles, she was determined to finish.

“In my Toastmasters speech I talked about how my drill sergeant would yell at me, ‘you’re too old!,’” Hill said. “But actually he was pushing me toward success.  He would sing this cadence call while we were running: ‘Private Hill, you can do it, you can do it; determination, dedication, motivation, you can do it; you can do it.’  That was the inspiration for my drama piece.”

In the nearly three minute monologue Hill performed for the competition she recounted how difficult it was being left behind the pack when the running was hard, and how important it was for her – and others - to keep going. 

The three words not only helped her through basic training but also got her promoted, aided her through a difficult deployment in Iraq, and eventually saw her through 23 years of Army service. She said determination, dedication, and motivation - very powerful words during basic training - continue to influence and guide her life and career today.

“They can provide an important guide for combat veterans who often transition back to the civilian world feeling lost and disconnected from society,” Hill said. “You can feel uncertain about your career and what life holds for you, so the message they send – stay on course and you will succeed – helps you see that when times are hard and the anxiety gets overwhelming, you don’t give up.”

As a Medical Support Assistant Hill interacts with veterans daily in Orlando, checking them in for appointments and procedures, coordinating patient’s lab schedules and supporting the providers and staff in the day-to-day operations of the Women’s Clinic.  Her positive mindset and can-do attitude, learned long ago in the footfalls of Army training, continue to impress and inspire today.

“We’re very proud of Lorraine and a little bit in awe of her accomplishment,” said Timothy W. Liezert, Orlando VA Medical Center Director. “To be part of the small group of those recognized among the more than 4,000 competitors is quite a feat and pretty inspiring.  I was honored to present her medal on behalf of the entire VA Medical Center.”

Hill’s next opportunity to impress will be in Boston, Mass., as an honoree during the 2012 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Oct 8 – 14.

The National Veterans Creative Arts competition and Festival recognizes Veterans for their creative accomplishments, and demonstrates to communities throughout the country the therapeutic benefits of the arts.  Nationwide, the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities use the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help Veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities.

The competition includes 53 categories in the visual arts that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits. In addition, there are 120 categories in the performing arts including music, dance, drama and creative writing.

A national selection committee chooses first, second and third place winners among all of the entries.  Select winners are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, sponsored this year by the VA Boston Healthcare System and held in Boston and Quincy, Mass.

To learn more about the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival visit their webpage at www.va.gov/OPA/speceven/caf.