What are your thoughts on the photo project done by Devin Mitchell on Vets? What is your favorite (or least favorite) and why?

2015-05-20T20:42:19-04:00

Veteran Vision Project | VVP | by Devin Mitchell

This project seeks both to help them heal and spread awareness about the challenges veterans face through a stunning double photo series by photographer Devin Mitchell.

Response by MSgt Jeff S. made May 20 at 2015 8:49 PM

2015-05-20T20:49:10-04:00

I'll start out by posting my top two favorites. The first picture I saw from Devin was of Chris Van Etten and Harley. The emotion this picture evoked was profound and I was an instant fan. Another of my favorites is the family picture that shows what every dual-military family fears most, but most have to endure. When I see that picture, I see a little girl that, God willing, will grow up to be amazingly strong and adaptable.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 20 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-05-20T21:07:51-04:00

I hate to say this but, I'm really not impressed by the project. I get the meaning of the duality, the "What I am, what I could be/what I once was, etc." but some of the pics are just, eh?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 20 at 2015 9:17 PM

2015-05-20T21:17:24-04:00

This is a powerful project, which I have admired since I first saw it.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 21 at 2015 12:50 AM

2015-05-21T00:50:19-04:00

I like how it shows that we're normal people too.

Response by MSgt Jeff S. made May 21 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-05-21T13:10:10-04:00

I like the fact that the series shows us as a sample of the overall population of the United States. We are a reflection of America, the difference is that we have been "tempered" by our service (some more than others).

When I first began in Recruiting, my Flight Chief pulled me aside and told me that when I go to school visits and interact with the staff (teachers, counselors, principals), many of them will have impressive educational backgrounds. DO NOT BE INTIMADATED BY THAT!
He went on to point out that most of these well-educated teachers were, in effect, career students. He told me that the life experience I had under my belt leveled the playing field, and in many cases was a cause of jealousy.
Throughout my time in recruiting, I found his words to be true. Once we got the intimidation factor out of they way, I found we had more in common than we had differences. Sure, they had a Masters or a Doctorate, but I have surfed in South America and collected "desert flowers" in the Middle East. We tended to find mutual respect for one another's accomplishments and experience, and could then move forward to work towards a common goal.

I think this body of work is a tool that can help highlight the commonality, even if we (as a community or an individual) can't quite put it into words.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-05-21T13:26:09-04:00

Ok, I had to give this a second look after leaving my comment last night.

I find some of the images haunting/disturbing which is hopefully what the artist's intent was - 137, 142, 27,73,36 & 160. I see them this way simply due to the starkness and bleakness of the picture itself, not for the subjects they represent when you look at them closely. Kudos to the artist for capturing a broad range of issues faced by and representing ALL our brothers and sisters in uniform.

A few that I do resonate with are (with my interpretations) 35&70 - the solitary feeling of looking back/ahead, 171 - family time in and out of uniform , 179 - the isolation of deployment and missing one's family,130 - For better or worse with your spouse and the military.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 21 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-05-21T13:39:20-04:00

No favorites. All are awesome photos.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-05-21T14:06:15-04:00

I found many of them to be amazing and moving, though several of them I felt could have been done much better.