"Climb to Glory"

By Ben Fortier

Those mountains in the distance;
They’re nothing quite like
The ones back home.
Ridges of redemption,
Valleys of violence.
Dreading the ascension,
Adoring the silence.

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Native Rhode Islander and proclaimed Renaissance Man, Iraq veteran Benjamin Fortier is a multi-talented writer, musician, and technology geek. He is currently in school (again) studying computer networking and cybersecurity. His day job is in service to his rescue dog, Princess Peppa Pig the American Bully. He is the author of Stones of the Wooded Valley and The Silent Whispers of Omens. This poem was taken from his latest book PHANTOMS, covering his deployment to Iraq in '06-'07.

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What’s happening at VetRep…

VetRep is a finalist in the theater class for Hudson Valley Magazine’s “Best of Hudson Valley 2024”! The elimination ballot is live for the next round, so follow this link and vote for Veterans Repertory Theater!

Listen to our latest episode with Jean Ciampi on the Savage Wonder Podcast, where we interview incredibly talented musicians, artists, writers, and theater professionals, who also happen to be veterans.