Through the Camera's Eye: Documenting the Stories of World War II Veterans

We sit down with guest Ed Zirkle, a veteran and photographer. Ed begins by sharing that his involvement with a TED Talk on PTSD has led him to conduct extensive background research on the topic. He emphasizes that PTSD affects only a small percentage of people, particularly veterans, and is often considered an invisible wound.

Ed's primary goal is to help people understand what PTSD is from both the perspective of those who have it and those who interact with them. However, unlike some individuals with disabilities, he does not want to announce or openly display his own experiences with PTSD. He also mentions that he is grateful for the support he receives from the VA, including a monthly check, which allows him the independence and resources to pursue his passion for photography.

As a photographer, Ed sees himself as a documentarian. Currently, he is focused on documenting the stories of World War II veterans through portraits and interviews. He aims to capture their lives and experiences, ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations. Once he has completed this project, he plans to seek out current serving frontline soldiers to document their stories as well.

In the late 1960s, Ed landed an internship at the Louisville Courier-Journal. He considers himself fortunate to have worked with prominent figures in club journalism, such as Bill Stroud, Thomas Harden, and Billy Lester. Eventually, he joined the Evansville Sunday Courier and Press, where he had a memorable encounter with a professional photographer who caught his attention while using an Instamatic camera.

Ed also shares a fascinating and unexpected experience during his time at Fort Bragg. He recounts a theft of a "gamma goat" from a medical vehicle on-post, which resulted in a high-speed pursuit involving MPs, sheriff units, and state police. As a photographer, Ed was tasked with photographing the minimal damage to the vehicle after the thief was stopped and apprehended. Little did he know at the time that he was experiencing symptoms of PTSD, including bad dreams and a feeling that something wasn't right.

Throughout the episode, Ed highlights the freedoms he enjoyed as a photojournalist, including access to police and fire training and the trust and close relationship he had with law enforcement. He acknowledges that these freedoms may have been influenced by his time in the service, where his photos frequently made front-page news.

Ed also touches on his experiences documenting different cultures, such as Indigenous communities, rodeos, and religious events. He expresses concern about the indoctrination of children into cult-like religions and highlights the importance of preserving one's cultural roots.

Towards the end of the episode, Ed discusses the limited resources available to veterans and the importance of mentorship. He aims to be a mentor to other veterans, offering workshops and guidance to help them navigate the world of photography.

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