Page 520 - Total War on PTSD_FINAL

After I completed the photography training, I started working with Veterans’ organization and Task Force: ISO partner River Deep Alliance as an event photographer. It was eye-opening seeing Veterans’ faces when they first get to an event and then seeing the changes in their faces over the course of the day. It is awesome seeing what happens when Veterans are engaged in an event. And then there’s the families — you see in their eyes that they are seeing hope they haven’t seen in so long. “Seeing Veterans and their families enjoying themselves in an activity like catching fish is a wonderful thing.”
“The photos allow vets to see themselves and have this permanent reminder that they enjoyed themselves. I just love seeing everyone’s face and watching them experience the outdoors and the idea that they are appreciated.”
My mind runs on two tracks — it’s always working on something else — “cycling” while I am doing something. Taking photos — especially landscapes — is calming. And, working with Veterans is a good outlet and “pushes” me as a photographer. I have even been a teacher’s assistant at the classes.
There’s an interdependency when you’re in the military. “A lot of what has served me is I don’t know when to quit.” I always had something in my life that I was really good at. As a retiree, now I have photography. It grounds me and gives me something to do. I need to get off my butt once in a while and out of the house with my Service Dog.
Today, I am more outgoing and feel that I have purpose as a result of the Task Force: ISO classes. Being behind the camera, I can hide my own feelings and capture the emotions in other people.
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