About VWG
The Veterans' Writing Group of San Diego County gives veterans, active-duty service members, and their families a welcoming community in which to write, share, and publish their stories, preserving the legacy of service, healing through the written word, and inspiring others along the way.
VWG was founded in 2010 by Marine Corps veterans John Maki and Gail Chatfield, inspired by a weekend retreat hosted by the Writers Guild Foundation in Los Angeles. A small group of veterans with a shared interest in writing quickly grew, drawing members who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and more recent conflicts.
Today our members represent every branch of service and range in age from 21 to 97. They are poets, novelists, memoirists, historians and short story writers. Some are published authors. Many had never written a page before their first workshop.
Monthly workshops give veterans a trusted place to begin, organize and strengthen their stories.
Personal stories become part of family memory and of San Diego County's veteran legacy.
Our anthologies make veteran voices available to readers and the wider community.
Readings, events and outreach visits bring veterans, families and generations together.
Board & leadership
VWG is led by volunteers, most of them veterans, who bring a wide range of experience to the group.
President
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Brian began his Marine Corps career in 1990 and retired in 2021 after service that included multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as VWG's chief financial officer before becoming president of the Board of Directors. He is the son of a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and a proud father of four.
Vice President
Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Armen served more than 25 years in naval aviation, engineering and defense acquisition, earning his Wings of Gold as an E-2C Naval Flight Officer. He serves on the VWG Board of Directors as vice president.
Secretary
Daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran
A San Diego County native and longtime Carlsbad resident, Lisa ran an event production business for 27 years and published her first children's book in 2023. She is writing a book that honors her father's life of service, which included surviving World War II as a civilian child POW.
Chief Financial Officer
Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Derrick was commissioned through the University of San Diego Naval ROTC program in 1991 and served 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer on five ships. He then spent 15 years managing training systems for the Navy before turning to writing full-time in 2026. He writes fiction and poetry.
Board Member
Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Reserve (Retired)
Holly enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1975 as an aircraft mechanic. She later transitioned into the Air Force Reserve as a military journalist and combat camera videographer, earning the Thomas Jefferson Award four times. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and was named the 2026 Heroes of Vista Veteran of the Year.
Board Member
Surface Warfare Officer, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Ed served 30 years in the Navy, including as second in command of USS Tarawa and as Commodore of Naval Beach Group ONE in Coronado. He teaches free career classes for service members leaving the military and leads the veteran networking group VET-MENTOR-VIEW.
Board Member
Son of a U.S. Navy veteran
Frank served San Diego County as a law enforcement officer for 31 years. He started VWG's outreach program, visiting veterans in senior living communities to listen to and record their stories, and he welcomes new members at every workshop.
President Emeritus
U.S. Navy veteran, 1965 to 1969
Garry spent three years on Navy flight crews in Vietnam and across the Pacific, logging 3,000 flight hours and earning three Air Medals. After a 40-year career with ServiceMaster/ARAMARK and years of civic leadership, he has devoted more than a decade to VWG, including his service as president.
Supporters & partners
Free workshops, published anthologies and community events are possible because of the people and organizations who believe in veteran voices.
Our major sponsor. The foundation supports nonprofit and community organizations through strategic grant funding.
With thanks to the club in Oceanside for its support of VWG and our writers.
Retired U.S. Marine, longtime friend and donor.
Owner Samir Ismail and his team support our printing.
Valued supporters whose continued generosity strengthens our mission.
County support helps us serve veteran writers across San Diego County.
Generous contributions that help veterans share their stories.
Writer and supporter of veteran authors.
Historian and veteran advocate.
Author with a deep connection to the military community.
The Veterans' Writing Group of San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 92-1512512. We run entirely on volunteers, donations and grants, and our workshops are free.
Impact reports and financial filings will be posted here as they become available. To request a document in the meantime, please contact us.
You do not need to be a professional writer to begin. Come to a workshop and see for yourself.
