outer banks veterans Program
Celebrating Veterans in Dare County
2025 Veterans Writing Workshop
The 13th Annual Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop will be held at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16.
North Carolina’s 7th Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti. During his time as Poet Laureate, Bathanti worked with military veterans and their families throughout the state, and beyond, particularly with Vietnam combat veterans struggling with PTSD and other invisible wounds of war. He is also a author, poet, educator, and the recipient of numerous other accolades. Click here to read Bathanti's full bios.
This year’s creative writing workshop, titled Where Your Life Still Matters: How Stories Save Us, is designed for veterans, active-duty military and their family members to discover, in a safe, communal setting among peers, the core of their stories, and the agency and voice in which to compose and deliver those stories to reach greater clarity, empowerment and new perspectives about their experiences, military-based and as civilians.
Beginner and experienced writers are invited to participate in this two-day workshop that is free for veterans, active-duty military and their family members.
Pre-registration is required for this workshop, and space is limited. Please register on the button below. Attendees will receive a confirmation email with more details after registration.
An Evening with Joseph Bathanti
Experience a special evening of poetry with North Carolina's 7th Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti at The Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo on Saturday, November 15 at 7:00pm.
This event is open to the public, but tickets must be purchased in advance. Admission is free for Veterans, active-duty military and the writing workshop participants.
Tickets will be available on the button below soon.
Outer Banks Veterans Week runs from November 10-16, 2025.
Outer Banks Veterans Week is an annual event celebrating Veterans and their families through the arts. The purpose of the program is to showcase the Outer Banks as a welcoming destination for Veterans, active-duty military and their families, through special events, concerts, and ceremonies.
Dare Arts will be creating the Outer Banks Veterans Week Directory, which is a calendar of veteran celebrations, events, and specials from Corolla to Hatteras Village happening around Veteran’s Day.
Businesses or groups interested in listing their veteran events and/or specials in the directory should email DareArtsPrograms@gmail.com..
Ceremonies, specials, events and discounts for Veterans during Outer Banks Veterans Week can be found on the button below soon.
2025 Veterans Week Directory
Thank you to The Coastal Studies Institute for sponsoring Outer Banks Veterans Week.
This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Outer Banks Veterans Week has been supported by the Veterans Writing Project since its inception.
2025 Sponsors
