The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival kicks off this week in Riverside, California. The festival gives disabled veterans and a chance to get together and celebrate all manner of visual arts, drama, dance, music and creative writing competitions amongst their military brethren. Every contestant in the festival beat out more than 3000 competing soldiers to earn their spot at the festival, according to Department of Veterans Affairs officials. With so many individuals participating in the festival, it is clear that there is a great therapeutic benefit to those who are unable to live their lives in the way that they have grown accustomed to over the years. By providing this type of outlet, the United States military can provide all manner of therapeutic value to disabled soldiers who have given their health to their nation. The festival has been held an annual basis for some time and is sponsored by the VA, the American Legion auxiliary and the Help Hospitalized Veterans program. The festival is hosted by the VAs Loma Linda health-care system and features a multitude of different styles of art, including writing, music, dancing and all manner of variety of acts by veterans.