Throughout 2020, we faced a pandemic with prolonged isolation. But the Yellow Ribbon project proved to be an important opportunity to help galvanize the West Michigan veteran community. Everyone appreciated the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves.
While we learned new lessons about resilience, one of our Gulf War vets lost his highly-specialized service dog, named Thor. When Thor senses a PTSD episode or nightmare, he lays his head on the veteran’s chest until the incident subsides. Without his dog, this veteran would struggle daily. So, we banded together as a military community, contributing towards the reward to help recover Thor, because one of our veterans needed help.
Along with Thor’s story, the broken-looking trees in Yellow Ribbon portray many veterans’ stories. The trees include bits of my interviews with vets of all ages, ethnicities, and wars. This art highlights the importance of empathy and a supportive community.
Our new type of ArtPrize venue gives veterans a voice as they share their stories of struggle and healing through art.
