“We preserve, protect, and promote Veteran creative works.”
Our Founding Story: Justice Through Legacy
Veteran Voices Collective was founded in response to a betrayal—one that cut deep into the heart of a veteran’s creative legacy. Nelden, a Vietnam combat veteran and gifted storyteller, had entrusted his life’s work to a publisher who mishandled his manuscript, misrepresented his voice, and failed to honor the integrity of his story. What should have been a moment of healing and recognition became a painful reminder of how easily veteran narratives can be distorted or dismissed.
Outraged by the injustice and determined to protect others from similar harm, Nelden and a small group of advocates came together—not just to seek accountability, but to build something better. From that moment, Veteran Voices Collective was born: a mission-driven organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting veteran creative works.
We began with one voice, one story, and one fight for justice. Today, we stand as a growing community of veterans, artists, and allies committed to ensuring that every veteran’s creative expression is treated with dignity, transparency, and care. Our work is rooted in advocacy, education, and legacy-building—because no veteran should ever have to fight alone to be heard.
Our Passion for Healing Veterans Through Story.
Whether it’s on social media or showcasing your talent and/or creative works at a local farmers’ market, we can help.
Fair Publishing Agreements
We help veterans navigate publishing contracts to ensure they retain rights, receive royalties, and avoid exploitation. Whether self-publishing or working with a press, we advocate for transparency and fair compensation.
Paid Speaking and Performance Opportunities
Veterans are invited to share their stories, poetry, music, or art at events, panels, and workshops—where they are compensated for their time and talent.
Creative Licensing and Merchandising
We assist veterans in licensing their artwork, photography, or written content for use in merchandise, exhibitions, or media—ensuring they receive payment and retain creative control.
Royalties and Sales Tracking Systems
We build royalty tracking templates and sales systems for veteran authors and artists, so they can monitor earnings from books, prints, or digital downloads with clarity and confidence.
Grant-Funded Commissions
Through partnerships and grant-funded projects, we commission veterans to create original works—whether for public installations, educational materials, or commemorative media—and pay them directly for their contributions.
Online Storefronts and Promotion
We help veterans set up online shops or feature their work through our platforms, providing marketing support and secure payment systems so they can earn income from their creative output.
An array of resources
Our mission is backed with people that care about you.
Our Network of Creative and Healing Allies
Veteran Voices Collective is proud to collaborate with a diverse array of professionals who share our deep commitment to honoring and healing veterans through creative expression. Among our most valued mentors is Jesse Lawson, former rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the Billboard-charting band Sleeping With Sirens. Jesse’s career spans over a decade of international touring across the U.S., Canada, UK, Asia, and Australia, with songwriting credits that include gold-selling singles and over 65,000 copies sold in the first week of his final album with the band Alternative Press Magazine accidentalentertainment.com.
Today, Jesse is focused on aligning his music and creative talents with purpose-driven work—mentoring emerging artists, producing legacy-centered projects, and supporting initiatives that uplift marginalized voices. His collaboration with Veteran Voices Collective is rooted in shared values: justice, authenticity, and the healing power of story.
Beyond music, our network includes mental health therapists, trauma-informed facilitators, publishing experts, visual artists, and nonprofit strategists—all united by a shared passion for justice, legacy, and veteran empowerment. These collaborators provide guidance, mentorship, and hands-on support to ensure that every veteran’s creative journey is protected, respected, and compensated.
Together, we offer more than resources—we offer a community of care, creativity, and purpose.
Local Duplication Services Powered by Veteran Excellence
- Veteran Voices Collective proudly partners with Vietnam Combat Music Arts and History Corporation, a veteran-owned business based in Redding, California, to provide professional media duplication services that honor both quality and legacy. With decades of experience and a deep respect for veteran storytelling, this local partner offers on-demand CD duplication—from a single disc to bulk orders of 1,000 or more—without relying on internet access or outsourced production.
- Each disc is professionally printed with full-color labeling and includes anti-rip software protection, ensuring that creative works are safeguarded from unauthorized copying. Whether you’re preserving oral histories, distributing music, or archiving spoken word performances, these duplication services deliver museum-grade quality at an affordable price, all produced locally and on the fly.
- This collaboration ensures that veterans’ creative works are not only protected and promoted—but physically preserved with the care and professionalism they deserve.
Bridging Veterans to Each Other—and to Technology
- At Veteran Voices Collective, we believe healing and creativity thrive in connection. That’s why we actively help veterans connect with fellow veterans through collaborative projects, peer mentorship, and community events. Whether sharing stories, co-creating music, or building legacy archives, these relationships foster trust, purpose, and belonging.
- We also recognize that technology can be a barrier—especially for older veterans or those in rural areas. Our team provides hands-on support to help veterans navigate digital tools, from email and file sharing to publishing platforms and media duplication. No veteran should be left behind because of a login screen or software update. We meet them where they are, with patience, respect, and practical solutions.
Vietnam Christmas
SP-5 Nelden J Herron
“The pain inside is so very great
To have to kill on a special date…”
SP-5 Nelden J. Herron, U.S. Army
CEO, Vietnam Combat Music Arts and History Corporation
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