At the 2025 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Indianapolis, one voice stood out not just for its musical richness, but for the powerful story behind it. U.S. Air Force Veteran Shawn Belisle, a two-time participant and multi-medal winner, traveled from Tomah, Wisconsin, to perform as a vocalist. His journey to the stage is a testament to the healing power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.

Belisle’s return to singing began six years ago when he was working as a recreation assistant at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Asked to help with music therapy programming, he rediscovered a passion he hadn’t pursued since high school. “They asked me to help with music therapy programming. I hadn’t sung since high school—All-State Choir back then—and I always regretted letting it go. That assignment changed my life,” Belisle shared.

His story reflects the broader theme of how creative expression can support recovery and wellness among Veterans. The festival, which celebrates the artistic achievements of Veterans nationwide, provides a platform not just for performance, but for connection, purpose, and healing. For Belisle, music was more than a hobby—it became a lifeline.

Working in recreational therapy at the Tomah VA, Belisle witnessed firsthand how music and art could help Veterans reconnect with themselves and each other. But in late 2021, the healing potential of music became deeply personal. Assigned to the Community Living Center units during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Belisle was among the few staff members allowed on the locked-down units. Despite stringent precautions, he contracted a severe case of COVID pneumonia.

Hospitalized for 14 days with oxygen levels dropping below 80 percent, Belisle faced a life-threatening battle. “Later I read in my discharge summary, ‘Mr. Belisle survived.’ That really hit me,” he recalled. The road to recovery was steep. He was grieving the recent loss of his wife and managing ongoing lung complications. Yet, he found his way back to music—this time, with an oxygen tank by his side.

Belisle returned to the VA’s weekly jam sessions, determined to reclaim his voice. “I’d crank my oxygen up so I could sing for two minutes,” he said with a laugh. “It hurt, but it worked.” His primary care provider noted that he recovered more quickly than most. Belisle credits singing with helping to rebuild his lung capacity and providing much-needed emotional support.

Now retired, he continues to volunteer at the Tomah VA, assisting the facility’s music therapist and encouraging fellow Veterans to explore creative outlets. These jam sessions have become more than musical gatherings—they are safe spaces for healing, camaraderie, and self-expression. For many participants, they offer a renewed sense of identity and belonging.

Belisle’s participation in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is not about accolades, though his talent has certainly earned recognition. What matters most to him is the sense of unity and encouragement the event fosters. “The Creative Arts Festival captures the best parts of the military experience—camaraderie, support, shared purpose,” he explained. “It doesn’t matter your skill level. You’re accepted here.”

His message to other Veterans is simple and powerful: take that first step. “You don’t have to be perfect. Just show up. Try something new. You’ll find support, purpose, and a whole community rooting for you.”

I found this detail striking: even in the face of personal loss and serious illness, Belisle chose to return to a space where he could uplift others. His story underscores the importance of creative arts in Veteran recovery—not just as therapy, but as a means of rebuilding identity and community.

Events like the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival highlight the transformative role of music therapy for Veterans. They also shine a light on the dedicated professionals and volunteers who make these programs possible. For Belisle, singing is no longer a forgotten hobby. It is a daily act of resilience, a way to give back, and a beacon for others navigating their own paths to healing.

As he takes the stage in Indianapolis, Belisle isn’t just performing. He is demonstrating what it means to survive, to rebuild, and to thrive through creative expression. His voice, shaped by hardship and hope, continues to inspire fellow Veterans to find strength in their own stories.

Read more at va.gov