Bullets and Bandaids

Bullets and Bandaids is a nonprofit that uses storytelling and art to bridge the divide between veterans and civilians by focusing on the individual human experience.

We begin with a conversation. A veteran shares their story in their own words. That story is then entrusted to a writer, who shapes it into a written piece that remains true to the veteran’s voice and experience. An artist then creates a visual work inspired by that writing. Each story becomes a collaboration between three people who may have never met, but are connected through one lived experience.

These works are brought together in traveling exhibitions and published collections, allowing audiences to engage with each story through writing, visual art, and recorded voiceovers. Every piece is an invitation to see a person, not a headline.

Our exhibitions have reached tens of thousands of viewers and include contributors from across the United States and around the world. While we are rooted in the experiences of American combat veterans, our work ultimately speaks to something broader: the shared human need to be seen, heard, and understood.

Your support allows us to continue this work by funding artist stipends, recording and production, exhibition costs, and the creation of new stories. Every donation helps ensure that these voices are not only preserved, but experienced.

Testimonials

"Through the ingenuity and interconnectedness Bullets and Bandaids provides; our veterans have been given a new avenue of healing that can leave impacts acorss generations. They have brought together people from all walks of life in order to celebrate their common humanity in ways that are often groundbreaking. With that in mind, and in the shadow of where we find our fractured nation, we need this dialouge now more than ever."

-The Honorable Henry C. Lozano, Former Deputy Assistant to the President of the United Sates of America,

 Director of U.S.A. Freedrom Corps.

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“I fully endorse Bullets and Bandaids and their mission to bridge divides, challenge stereotypes, and promote healing through the arts.”

-Samantha Parkinson, Director, Englewood Art Center, Ringling College of Art and Design

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"Bullets and Bandaids is a wonderful cause and right up my alley." 

-Sebastian Junger, Journalist and War Correspondent

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"I wouldn't be here today were it not for the connections I made through Bullets and Bandaids." 

-Brian Maguire, USMC 2000-2004, past Bullets and Bandaids Participant

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“It’s like Bullets and Bandaids found a zipper over my heart, pulled it down, and told my story to a country I fought for and my friends died for.”

-Bahroz Mahmond, Afghan Interpreter for the US during the Battle of Shok Valley

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“The organization’s innovative approach and unwavering dedication to their mission have created an unforgettable experience that will prove invaluable wherever they go.”

-Jackie Adams, Director of Art and Learning, Columbia Museum of Art

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“I wouldn’t have been able to tell my wife my story were it not for the (opportunity) Bullets and Bandaids provides.”

-Brett Claycamp, Army Purple Heart Recipient