Helping Nelden’s work get honored… Nothing is impossible.

Dear Dancing with the Stars Team,

My name is Jennina Johansen, and I’m writing to submit a powerful musical tribute for your upcoming Military Night. I was deeply moved by the work of Nelden J. Herron, a Vietnam combat veteran whose poetry and music have helped countless others—including myself—find healing and creative expression after trauma.

Nelden’s book, Vietnam War Combat Poetry, is honored in the Library of Congress, and his music under the label Vietnam Combat Music is a living archive of veteran voices. He owns all rights to his work, and his music is distributed via DistroKid and showcased on his YouTube channel.

What makes Nelden’s story especially compelling is his journey:

Raised on the Western Pacific Railroad, Nelden moved every two weeks as a child, absorbing the rhythm and resilience of working-class America. He later served as an S11E tank gunner and flamethrower operator in Vietnam, returning home to Elko, Nevada, where he became a police officer—all while silently battling the weight of PTSD. Nelden survived two suicide attempts using his own service weapon, a testament to the depth of his struggle and the strength it took to keep going. Now based in Redding, California, he’s found healing through publishing and releasing his combat-derived poetry and music, transforming pain into purpose and giving voice to veterans who often feel unseen.

Today, he uses music to help veterans feel seen, heard, and healed—his mission is one of radical compassion and creative resilience.

His songs are not only emotionally resonant but also dance-ready. I’ve reviewed his catalog, and several tracks stand out as ideal for Dancing with the Stars choreography, especially for styles like Paso Doble, Contemporary, and Rumba:

Song Title	Featured Artists	Genre/Style	Dance Compatibility	ISRC Code
New Day	Jesse Lawson & Sadida	Inspirational Pop	Viennese Waltz / Contemporary	QZNWU2585635
Two Clicks Off	Jesse Lawson	Spoken-word fusion	Paso Doble / Contemporary	QZNWU2585637
No Love	Jesse Lawson	Pop / Radio Edit	Rumba / Contemporary	QZTB32531450
The Flamethrower	Jesse Lawson & Sadida	Spoken-word drama	Paso Doble / Jazz Fusion	QZNWU2585641
50 Gunner	Jesse Lawson & Sadida	Spoken-word / Rock	Paso Doble / Contemporary	QZNWU2585636
Soda Run	Jesse Lawson	Experimental / Spoken	Jazz / Contemporary	QZNWU2585638
Listening Post	Jesse Lawson	Ambient / Spoken-word	Contemporary / Freestyle	QZNWU2585639
Welcome Home	Jesse Lawson	Acoustic / Ballad	Rumba / Waltz	QZNWU2585642
Sponsor	Nelden J. Herron	Spoken-word / Tribute	Contemporary / Jazz	QZNWU2585645
Vietnam Christmas	Jesse Lawson & Sadida	Spoken-word / Seasonal	Waltz / Contemporary	QZNWU2585643

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We would be honored to bring a group of veterans from Northern California to join you in person on 11.11.2025—a living tribute to the resilience and creativity of those who’ve served.

Since Nelden J. Herron retains full ownership and performance rights to his catalog, featuring his music on Military Night would not only honor his journey—it would directly support his healing and amplify the mission of our nonprofit, Veteran Voices Collective. As a registered 501(c)(3), we are urgently working to capture the stories, songs, and creative expressions of aging veterans before they are lost to time. Our organization documents and showcases veteran-led art—music, poetry, visual storytelling, and spoken word—as tools for healing, education, and community connection. We serve as stewards of legacy, helping veterans transform trauma into purpose and ensuring their voices are heard across generations. This opportunity would be a profound step forward in honoring those who’ve served and spotlighting the power of art to heal.