PART1 PART? cmt BEHIND THE MASK Revealing the Trauma of War Brain injuries caused by blast events change soldiers in ways many can’t articulate. Some use art therapy, creating painted masks to express how they feel. By Caroline Alexander Photographs and Audio by Lynn Johnson Marine Cpl. Chris McNair (Ret.) Afghanistan 2011-12 ‘Thad this muzzle on with all these wounds and I couldn’t tell anybody about them.” 28 UPDATE: ON MARCH 28,2017, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS EXPANDED THE CREATIVE FORCES PROGRAM BY ADDING FOUR CLINICAL SITES TO THE EXISTING SEVEN SITES THAT PROVIDE ARTS, THERAPIES FOR SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, AND FAMILIES DEALING WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. (TBI) AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSO} “THOUGHT THIS WAS A JOKE,” recalled Staff Sgt. Perry Hopman, who served as a flight medic in Iraq. “I wanted no part of it because, number one, Tm a man, and I don’t like holding a dainty little paintbrush. Number two, 'm not an artist. And number three, I'm not in kindergarten. Well, I was ignorant, and I was wrong, because it’s great. I think this is what started me kind of opening up and talking about stuff and actually trying to get better.” Hopman is one of many service members guided by art therapist Melissa Walker at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), which is part of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Bethesda, Maryland, Images painted on their masks symbolize themes sueh as death, physical pain, and patriotism. Army Staff Sgt. Perry Hopman Iraq 2006-08 “I think he was one of the first patients I'd ever had to ask me to let him die.” Marine Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Tam (Ret.) Iraq 2004-05, 2007-08 “Detonation happened and I was right there in the blast seat. I got blown up.” Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert “Bo” Wester (Fiet.) Iraq 2007, 2008-09, Afghanistan 2010 “If a mistake is made at that point, then death is almost certain.” Army Maj. Jett Hall Ret.) vaq 2003-04, 2005 “I told him, I’m not cleaning your brains off the bedroom wall.” Toit) 0:27) Army First Sgt. David Griego Wwaq 2008, Afghanistan 2012 “Sometimes you find yourself saying, I wish ... I would have lost a body part, so people will see—so they'll get it.” Marine Cpl. Chris McNair (Ret.) jan 201 “He'll live the rest of his life with the nightmares, the images, and that’s what the military can’t fix.” 4 isl 0:37) READ MORE: The Invisible War on the Brain Brain trauma from blast force causes damage that strikes deeply into a soldier's mind and psyche. Terms of Service NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC About CustomerService _—PivaeyPotcy Jobe Donate Global Stee Contact ProseRoom Events Advertise Eeibite