TAMPA, Fla. — After months of rehearsals, the Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble is just days away from putting on its next performance.

What You Need To Know • The Veteran Civilian Arts Ensemble has been around for five years • The group is made up of veterans and civilians • The ensemble performs June 7 at 2 p.m.

Made up of veterans and civilians, the group works to create understanding and connections in the community.

Navy veteran Tanya O’Brien is just one of the performers who gets to shine.

“I came my first year just wanting to sing, and that’s it, not do anything else,” she said. “I ended up with lines and now I’m dancing and writing poetry, and so it’s sort of evolved the last couple of years.”

Coming to rehearsal with her service dog Charlie, this is the third year O’Brien

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