Simon Narborough

Photographer

Gunfire to Guitars

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Location: Hudson Valley,NY

Nationality: American/British (Dual)

Biography: I am a photographer, born in London, England but now working in (and out of) the lower Hudson Valley, New York which is 90 minutes north of Manhatten. I am insatiably curious â€” about our world, how it works (or... MORE

John is a veteran of the Tet o... ready to play with the group.

John is a veteran of the Tet offensive in Vietnam. Guitar pick in his mouth, he adjusts his music getting ready to play with the group.

Vinny, the founder and directo...d through playing the guitar.Â

Vinny, the founder and director of music for Music4Veterans is not a veteran but dedicates much of his free time to Â teaching and coordinating the groups activities.
The inspiration for founding Music4Veterans came through Vinny's own life experiences, and the benefits he obtained through playing the guitar.Â

Veterans particularly apprecia...om their days in the Service.Â

Veterans particularly appreciate the sense of belonging and comraderie in the organization - something that many miss from their days in the Service.Â

Songs that are motivating and ...rans are selected and learned.

Songs that are motivating and particularly meaningful to veterans are selected and learned.

While taking some candid portr...ant to listen as it is to see.

While taking some candid portraits, I had the opportunity to listen to their individual stories - their hopes, ambitions, their regrets and frustrations.Â

As a photographer, I find it is as important to listen as it is to see.

Another Dave, who was a helipc... I cry through my music".

Another Dave, who was a helipcopter door gunner in Vietnam, and now harmonica player. Suffers from PTSD. On being asked what music meant to him he replied, "I dont cry anymore, I cry through my music".

The video story with interviews and soundtrack of the veterans.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Thumbnail of John is a veteran of the Tet of_g ready to play with the group.

Thumbnail of Vinny, the founder and director_ed through playing the guitar.Â

Thumbnail of Veterans particularly appreciat_rom their days in the Service.Â

Thumbnail of Songs that are motivating and p_erans are selected and learned.

Thumbnail of While taking some candid portra_tant to listen as it is to see.

Thumbnail of Another Dave, who was a helipco_, I cry through my music".

Private Story

Gunfire to Guitars

Copyright Simon Narborough 2024

Updated Oct 2016

Topics Arts, Documentary, Drug Abuse, Editorial, Freedom, Health/Healing, Hope, Mental Illness, Military, Peace, Photography, Photojournalism, Soldiers, Veterans, War, Weapons

Many veterans are turning to music as a means of finding an escape from the memories and the traumatic effects of their experiences. Justin, a 3 tour veteran of Afghanistan recovering alcoholic who suffers badly from PTSD said to me "Music is my church. It's the place I can go to find a little peace...."

The following images document 5 days spent with one community organization that encourages Veterans to use music as a means of coping with these invisible wounds, to readjust to civilian life and to heal. Music4Vets, an organization founded five years ago by Vinny Stefanelli, is based in Erie Pennsylvania.