Latina Warrior: Lisa Carrington Firmin and Warrior Artist Christine Polosky on Art, Poetry, and Healing

Sometimes the experiences we carry from military service are difficult to explain. Words may not come easily, and the emotions connected to those experiences can remain buried for years.

But what happens when two veterans discover that art and poetry can help express what they’ve struggled to put into words?

In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I spoke with Army Major Christine Polosky and retired Air Force Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin about their creative collaboration, Latina Warrior, and how their work explores military trauma, identity, transition, and healing.

Their story is about more than creating artwork. It’s about trust, vulnerability, and finding ways to communicate experiences that others may not fully understand.

Christine Polosky: Finding a Way Forward Through Art

Christine Polosky’s journey took an unexpected turn following a medical evacuation from Afghanistan.

Like many veterans navigating significant life changes after military service, Christine faced the challenge of finding a way forward.

Art became an important part of that journey.

Through collage, Christine discovered a creative way to explore experiences and emotions that weren’t always easy to communicate.

Her work brings together images, materials, and personal meaning to create something that goes beyond a traditional visual presentation.

During our conversation, Christine explained how art became a way to process her experiences and connect with others.

What stood out to me was how her creativity developed into something that could help other veterans recognize parts of their own stories.

Lisa Carrington Firmin: Poetry and the Weight of Military Experience

Retired Air Force Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin brought a different creative approach to our conversation.

After decades of carrying difficult experiences, Lisa began writing poetry as she confronted trauma that had remained buried for much of her life.

Poetry gave her a way to express thoughts and emotions that she had not previously been able to share.

Her writing explores the complexities of military service, identity, personal struggles, and the experiences that can continue to affect veterans long after they leave the uniform behind.

For Lisa, poetry became more than a collection of words.

It became a way to tell her story.

As someone who spends a great deal of time listening to veterans share their experiences, I appreciate how important it can be to find a form of expression that feels authentic.

Not every veteran wants to sit in front of a microphone.

Sometimes their story comes through a poem, a painting, or a piece of artwork.

Latina Warrior: When Art and Poetry Come Together

Christine and Lisa eventually brought their creative work together through Latina Warrior, a collaboration combining Lisa’s poetry with Christine’s visual collages.

Their partnership demonstrates how two different artistic approaches can complement one another.

Lisa’s words provide emotional depth and personal reflection.

Christine’s artwork gives those experiences a visual form.

Together, they create something that neither medium could communicate in quite the same way on its own.

One particularly meaningful piece incorporates Lisa’s military medals, uniform fabric, and textiles connected to her family.

These materials represent different parts of her life and identity.

Military medals can symbolize service, achievement, and sacrifice. Uniform fabric carries its own history. Family textiles connect those experiences to the people and relationships that remain part of a veteran’s story.

Bringing these materials together creates a deeply personal work of art.

It reminds us that military service is only one part of a person’s identity, even when that service has a lasting impact.

Building Trust Through Creative Collaboration

One of the most important subjects we discussed was trust.

Sharing difficult personal experiences requires vulnerability.

Turning those experiences into artwork that others will see requires another level of trust.

Christine and Lisa spoke about the relationship that makes their collaboration possible and the importance of respecting each other’s experiences.

This is something I believe applies to veteran storytelling in any format.

Whether you’re conducting an interview, writing a memoir, creating a documentary, or collaborating on artwork, trust must come first.

You cannot force someone to share an experience before they’re ready.

And when someone does share, you have a responsibility to treat that story with respect.

Christine and Lisa’s partnership demonstrates how meaningful creative work can emerge when that trust is present.

Reaching Veterans Through Art, Including Those in Prison

Another part of our conversation that stayed with me was hearing how their artwork has reached veterans who are incarcerated.

Veterans in prison can face unique challenges involving identity, isolation, trauma, and the transition from military service.

Christine and Lisa discussed how their work has connected with people in those circumstances.

Sometimes the impact of a piece of art isn’t measured by an award, an exhibition, or the number of people who see it.

Sometimes the impact is one person recognizing an experience they thought nobody else understood.

For someone who has spent years feeling isolated or unheard, that recognition can be meaningful.

Art cannot solve every problem facing veterans, but it can create opportunities for reflection, conversation, and connection.

And sometimes that is where an important change begins.

Military Transition, Identity, and Finding Your Voice

Military transition is often discussed in terms of employment, education, healthcare, and benefits.

Those are important issues.

But transition can also involve questions about identity and purpose.

Who are you when you’re no longer serving in the same role?

How do you make sense of experiences that changed your life?

And how do you communicate those experiences to people who may never have served?

Christine and Lisa have found their own ways to explore those questions through art and poetry.

Their experiences remind me that there isn’t one correct way for veterans to tell their stories.

Some write books.

Some create music.

Some speak publicly.

Others use photography, painting, poetry, or collage.

What matters is finding a way to express something meaningful and having the opportunity to be heard.

Every Veteran Deserves to Feel Seen

What I appreciated most about speaking with Christine and Lisa was their willingness to discuss difficult experiences while showing how creativity can build connections between people.

Their work through Latina Warrior brings together military service, family history, personal identity, and the emotions that can accompany trauma and transition.

They aren’t simply creating art about veterans.

They’re creating art from lived experiences, with the hope that those experiences will resonate with others.

Christine and Lisa, thank you for joining me on Oscar Mike Radio and sharing your stories, your creative partnership, and the mission behind Latina Warrior.

Thank you for reminding us that every veteran has a story worth telling, even when that story is expressed without spoken words.

Sometimes healing begins when someone finally feels seen.

We are Mission in Flight!

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