IN WAR, THERE ARE NO UNWOUNDED

SOLDIERS– Jose Narosky

VETERAN VISION 

PROJECTThe Veteran Vision Project is a photo essay by

photographer Devin Mitchell. It features military veterans & non-veteran active duty military

personnel.

PTSD ANDTHE DOUBLE LIFE

OF VETERANS

Mirrors

"Many people who knew me growing up probably thought I'd be dead or in jail by now. I found my calling when I was 20 years old. The Air Force saved my life, but it hasn't been easy.Sacrifice. That word recurs in my head when I think about my time in the Air Force. "Dad will be home soon". I heard my wife say that more times than I can remember as I stared at my sobbing daughter through a computer screen. Sacrifice. That's what I told myself every time I heard my daughter ask me, "are you coming home now, Daddy?" through that computer screen. The Air Force saved my life, but killed parts of me as well. I'll never get back those Christmases or birthdays I've missed, but that is what it means to serve. Sacrifice." -Logan Daniel Jackson, United States Air Force.

This project was done as a senior undergraduate thesis by Devin Mitchell. All photographs and text are his. I chose 25 images from hundreds, each with a story about war and its impact on people who serve. I hope you find it worthwhile to view, and I hope you will explore the links:

Veteran's Vision Project

Facebook

I also hope you consider that Devin’s project shows what you, as an undergraduate or graduate student can accomplish by using your passion and creativity to bear witness to people and their experiences, and how powerful a mode of helping that can be.

Thanks,

Gregory R. Janson, PHD, PCC-SAssociate Professor, Child and Family

StudiesOhio University

"My name is Clayton Harpold and I served in the United States Marine Corps for six years. I have been dealing with PTSD and TBI for five years and a half. I hope to have a future of healing and would like to start a family. I hope to start a non-profit to help other veterans like me in the future." -Clayton Harpold ( Quad A Carter ), United States Marine Corps

"My name is Zack I was in the Marine Corps infantry for five years and went on two deployments. I went to Japan the first time and Afghanistan the second. My experiences in the first deployment were fun and gave me quite the traveling experiences. The second however gave me a very different excitement. I was changed forever by the things I experienced and saw. It has been almost 3 years and things are settling down a little for me. Memories are difficult to keep at bay when my brothers and close friends are coming home only to be faced with the daunting battle against suicide. It is something I fought and would've lost if it wasn't for a few friends and a first Sgt that kept me from becoming a statistic. I want to thank them for being there because if it wasn't for them I would not be where I am today." -Zechariah Allen Butz, USMC.

"As long I could remember, I've always wanted to be in the military. After finishing my bachelors degree and working behind a desk for almost a decade, I finally join the Army. Even though I could have went commissioned, I decided to start from the bottom and work my way up. Being an Infantryman, I finally felt like I belonged and had a purpose and couldn't see myself doing anything else. Unfortunately I was injured while suffering from a severe TBI and PTSD daily along with migraines as well. Now I struggle with normal daily activities and take so many meds that I feel like the man that looks back in the mirror is NOT the infantryman I used to be. The will is there but my body and mind say otherwise..." Craig Kociborski, United States Army.

See Jason’s statement on the next slide…

"Desperado Seeks Forgiveness"

Homeward boundDownward struggleWhat seems normal. The Surface.Turmoil lurksunderneath.Black Mist.Guilt. Shame. Shame. Guilt.Hero? What hero?A hero I am not, but a man I am.I am...but a man.a mana man amenclick. boom.

- Jason Fracaro, United States Coast Guard, United States Army.

"I used to work for the government, now I make more money doing something else." - Peter Pretty, United States Marines.

"Like most veterans, when I got back from Afghanistan in 2011, I thought I was fine. I tried to stay busy just working and tried to not focus on my deployments. That worked for a while but eventually I pushed away the people who loved and cared about me. January 2015 my PTSD; I stopped talking to my Marine Corps friends, I stopped going to work, I was isolating, I attempted suicide when I should have asked for help. I was in and out of the hospital all year. I went to a VA in north Chicago where they have one of the top PTSD treatment centers in the country. I was lucky enough to get treatment there. I would like to say thank you to MSGT. Doty and everyone in building 7 for helping me." -Cpl. Harry Bresnahan 0311 — in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"Even though you're taken out of the war, the battle continues." - Todd Nicely, United States Marine Corps Note: Todd Nicely is statistically, 1 of 5 surviving quadruple amputee combat veterans in the United States.

See Eric’s Statement on the Next Slide

"I joined the Army in 2010 when I was 22. After finishing Airborne School I was stationed with 5th Special Forces Group. My first week at my unit I was deployed to Iraq. Shortly after returning home from my first deployment I married my girlfriend Kenna on June 1, 2011 and she and her 2 children moved to Fort Campbell, Ky with Me. I deployed again to Afghanistan in April of 2012. The day before mine and Kenna's 1 year wedding anniversary on May 31,2012, while out on a dismounted patrol, I stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). I lost my right leg below the knee, crushed my left leg, shattered my wrist, broke my arm, finger, and suffered a mild TBI. I was flown to 3 different hospitals before returning to America 5 days later and then sent to Walter Reed Hospital.

My family and I are still living at Walter Reed Hospital. So far I have had 61 surgeries and am still trying to save my left leg from being amputated. My family and I hope to be leaving the hospital by the beginning of 2016 and moving to Nashville, Tennessee where I plan to go to school for music and production and become an established songwriter. My injuries have inspired me to write my own songs and music. I also hope to open a gym. I have dedicated myself to fitness,weightlifting, and music and hope that I can inspire others with them as well." -Eric Hunter, United States Army. Prayers For Eric Hunter.

"There are some things I wish I could un-see." Ace Lopez, United States Marine Corps

"It's been a long road of transitioning over the past year and I've never scraped for change so hard in my life but I'm out here in Japan doing big things. I go to school full time, I teach English before school and after school, I also just picked up a bartending gig on Friday nights. I have my own apartment, I pay my own bills, I even have my own bank account. I've learned how to read, write and speak Japanese. There are around 55,000 homeless women veterans in America today and with that I pray every night, and I'm thankful for everyday." -Josephine Viola Rose Grenier, United States Air Force. — in Tokyo, Japan.

"I think it's a hard world out there. Transitioning from active duty to civilian lifestyle has me confused. Until now, I am still trying to figure out where I fit and belong in society. I used more prescription drugs than your average healthy 65 year old. I have to take random jobs like gogo dancing which I never imagined I would do because of the support that most veterans don't receive post service. I'll keep being strong, because I was trained to be ARMY STRONG." -Markanthony Pascual

See Blake’s statement on the final slide…

Giving back…"My name is Blake Parrish. I was and always will be a Marine. Enlisting in the Marine Corps ten days after I graduated high school in Indianapolis, I embarked on a journey that would span four and a half years, sweep me to places around the globe, and change me forever. Among my many roles, I operated and maintained amphibious assault vehicles, taught martial arts, and competed in rifle competitions. Upon deploying to the Helmand Province of southwestern Afghanistan in September of 2011 with the 1st Marine Division, I conducted countless combat and logistics patrols, quick reaction force (QRF) missions, and reconnaissance patrols as a platoon navigator. I was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in June of 2012 after returning from deployment in April and subsequently enrolled in courses at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Now nearing my graduation for a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I acquired diversified experience in research and clinical practices within mental health. I am actively pursuing graduate training in clinical psychology in order to give back to a desperate community of veterans struggling with reintegration, post-traumatic stress, suicide, and much more. It is through the veterans that I aid in recovery that my service to my country and countrymen continues. 'In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.' – Jose Narosky." -Blake Parrish, United States Marine Corps — in Indianapolis, Indiana.

John Imboden

I've tattooed many men and women in our armed forces. One had stories he couldn't tell. I asked him how he deals with his past.

He plainly replied, "We are what we do, not what we have done.”

I froze, it helped me shrug off the burdens of my past… And I now know what moving on and living life is. 

It saved me. So I pass it on.

IN WAR, THERE ARE NO UNWOUNDED

SOLDIERS– Jose Narosky