Artist
Teri Darnell

Project Title
Veterans in Crisis

Grant Amount
$2,000

Website
http://www.teridarnell.com/vfw-project.html

Project Description

VFW posts—which used to be ubiquitous in small towns and big cities across the country as places for fellowship among veterans, providing a place to tell their stories to the only people who could truly understand their experiences, and providing needed services, are dying out—leaving many veterans in crisis.
Membership has drastically fallen over the last few decades from a high two million to half that number. VFW posts have suffered from a war of attrition, many demolished for gentrification and others abandoned or falling into disrepair from neglect and lack of funding. The story of these posts is the story of America, once united, now divided and disconnected from our roots.
As a veteran and a life member of the VFW, passing these posts brings a sadness for what Teri Darnell feels is a metaphor for our treatment of those who served. Darnell began photographing them, hoping to bring awareness to a disregard for the honor of the men and women who defend our country. She has documented posts in 47 states with a goal of all 50 states. She plans to publish a photography book to build awareness of this crisis. 
Darnell believes these photographs can be a mirror, reminding us that in neglect we show a loss of conscience that contributes to a continuing decline of our democracy.