"Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."~ Thornton Wilder

If you have read this blog for a while you will know that I every now and then follow and support Kickstarter projects, I don't give a lot of money but there are always pledge amounts that suit my budget.  I have just backed a couple of projects, one, purely for the reason of one artist supporting another, especially one (Aubrey Hayes) who wants to participate in an artists residency in Iceland....I couldn't not back this one.

As I was perusing the huge range of projects on offer I came across one that has left quite an impression on me.  An artist book project that I feel is so worthwhile and one that I am sure will make a difference to the lives of many, especially the authors.   These are personal stories, journals and images put together by returned soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. The stories they share all express a palpable intensity, often brutally honest with an authenticity that reveals the truths as they experienced them.   At the moment this project is for USA veterans and their families but I do hope this idea travels across oceans and continents and other veterans groups around the world source funding and set up similar workshops.

The Veterans book project website provides access to the stories where you can read them freely online, or from here you can purchase the printed bound soft cover copies or download to your computer a PDF version for free.

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These very personal and intimate narratives have touched me deeply and I thank all the authors for  having the courage to share their thoughts, experiences and insights.   I urge you to read a couple of the books and make your own mind up whether you feel this is a worthwhile project to back, if you feel the same as I, then click on their Kickstarter link in my sidebar.