The Mission

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

I would first like to thank everyone who has been a part of "The Veterans Project."  The elite class of warriors you see in my photos are the defenders of our freedom, and they deserve a place in the history books.  It is my hope that through the project, you can see my passion for these war-fighters.  There is no love quite as deep as a man's love for his brother in combat.    

My quest is to show civilians what it's like to reintegrate into society for our veterans.  The focus of the project is to not only capture the legacies of veterans of the American military, but to capture the stories of all Allied countries and their warrior classes as well.  All of these men and women joined for a reason and some of these motives are very different.  However, every man fights for the same inherent reason; the fraternal bond.  Whether or not you agree or disagree with our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our blood has been shed to the tune of over 6,000 lives.  This number matters greatly to me, because it represents the ultimate sacrifice.  I am biased of course, and unashamed of this bias.  I served as well.  

This project serves as an educational tool for all those who want it.  It is a visual essay of the war-fighter at his/her most vulnerable point.  I can't describe how much it means when my brothers-in-arms let down their walls, and tell me their stories.  The project serves as a platform for each war-fighter to express their own singular perspective.  At the very least, I hope you gain a new understanding of what it means to fight and come back to a society that doesn't always seem so accepting.  At the very most, I hope you gain a new appreciation for the men and women who put their lives on the line.  Maybe now, when you see that soldier in the airport sitting by himself on his way on his way to a land 5,000 miles away, you'll think of your son, brother, daughter, or sister.  Maybe it will stir some compassion within.  I hope this project can narrow the disconnect between our fighting force and the civilians they protect.  I hope you enjoy The Veterans Project.            

—Tim K. (Founder/Photographer) 

THE VETERANS PROJECT MISSION

The Veterans Project is a comprehensive photographic essay detailing the lives of WW2, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, GWOT (Global War On Terrorism) combat veterans and their return to civilian life. The project focuses on the many challenges surrounding their reentry into "polite society" and realistically depicts their lives profiled in both photographic and interview formats. The goal of The Veterans Project is to show each participating veteran as they truly are, as a unique person whose decision to serve places them in a special category of allied volunteers. Although all wear the same uniform and to some extent share a common bond as "brothers in arms, " these warriors see life and war through their own personal lenses which is what makes their stories and their struggles uniquely personal and diverse.  To see their stories, click the blog link below.