Natalie Shipula: Jamestown, PA (Air Force Staff Sergeant (E5) Last Duty Station, Scott AFB Illinois)
Everyone has a moment they return to. That one thing you can’t stop thinking about no matter what. That memory that’s been burned into your brain. Most people have one and most can be life-changing.
Mine has nothing to do with my time in the military. However, I know how that memory has affected my life and how people see me. Seeking Solace was created out of passion for one thing and hatred for it at the same time.
It was hard for me to come back to civilian life. I would gather it was harder to do that than it was to do most of the things I did in the military. When I first created this, I wanted people to see normal-acting people who struggle internally to fit into a society that at times pushes them to the side. I will be the first to admit the things the military does isn’t always the best. However, without us, your world would be incredibly different.
With that, I am not saying you need to give discounts all the time or even thank us for our service. Respecting that maybe each of us has a reason for joining and that we gave up more than you could possibly imagine.
Seeking Solace is something I created while in college and has been at the back of my mind recently. While I will talk about that project in due time, this version only deals with veterans who have combat injuries. These men were part of the original Seeking Solace and in this version, I hope to express the pain they have endured from a fine art perspective versus a marketing campaign.
The American flag displayed upside down stands as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
For me, the stories of Seeking Solace signal just that, dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life.
Research from 2021 found that 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans have died from suicide compared to the 7,057 who died in combat after 9/11. This suicide rate is four times higher than that of deaths during military operations(https://www.uso.org/stories/2664-military-suicide-rates-are-at-an-all-time-high-heres-how-were-trying-to-help).
I know suicide affects more than just the military. My anger is with the fact that once we leave the service getting the resources to help prevent this is so hard. That adjustment isn’t easy and then top that with being ashamed of what you did or saw. Now, you have to deal with all this just because you want to go to college or just have a better life. The reasons each of us joined are different, and the reasons we left service are different, but we shouldn’t have to struggle alone.
One of the things I learned from the military is there is a bond between each of us. No matter the time, the branch, or the job, we all have a connection to doing something bigger than we are. Seeking Solace was for me, a place to connect with people who had a common bond and didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else.
Check out their stories here:
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal feelings, the Military/Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat live, or text 838255. A caring, qualified responder will listen and help.