December 4, 2008 Veterans transform uniforms into art Play video

(Anya Huneke, Burlington, VT) - A group of veterans in Vermont has found a new purpose for their military uniforms- that they say helps them heal from their wartime experiences. They're turning the uniforms into art, which they say allows them to express themselves. But the process is not without fierce critics.

Inside the Green Door studio in Burlington, Vermont, a paper making operation is underway. The equipment is basic...

"We use this machine- it's called a Hollander beater...It was designed in 1480..." and the techniques are age-old.

But the concept is a bit more unusual... Even controversial... Though for these individuals, it is empowering.

Drew "It begins the long, hard process of coming home, and making sense of what we've been part of."

They've all been part of war. 26-year-old Drew Cameron returned from Iraq more than three years ago... But says during the first couple of years, he tried to bury everything he'd seen and done.

Drew: "Just like most vets- I isolated myself. For 2 years I didn't talk about that- I didn't want people to know I was a vet. I had problems at home, self-destructive behavior..."

Last year .. He found a new place to put his emotions. He got out his military uniform... Shredded it... And, using skills he learned from his father turned it into paper.

Drew "Essentially this roller spins at an incredible rate as the fibers pass through- and over the course of about 45 minutes it breaks

Cameron used the paper he made as a canvas-- for images or words that reflected his time overseas. And finally, he says, he was able to start making sense of his experiences in the war.

Drew "Once I realized- some things needed to be talked about and worked out- the process of reconciliation could begin."

And so was born the 'combat paper project'-- a non-profit organization that offers veterans an outlet.

Through workshops that teach the process of turning military uniforms into paper. These vets say they can help those who have experienced war reclaim their lives as civilians.

Eli "You become so engrossed in the military culture and lifestyle that once you get out, many people don't feel they have anything to be part of."

Into each batch .. they add a handful of lineage fiber- which contains uniform bits from all 65 veterans who have participated in this project... so that all their stories will be woven into each piece of paper."

Drew "This carries all of our stories together in one place."

Cameron says this is a type of therapy... But Lefty Guilette sees it quite differently-- saying it is an affront to the military.

Lefty "I think it's appalling."

As a gunnery sergeant in the Marines .. Guilette served in Korea and Vietnam...

"That's a genuine smile because I was proud to be in uniform." He still gets choked up when he thinks about his time in combat... "I'm so proud to be a Marine." And says he would never - ever - think about destroying his uniform.

Lefty "Over my dead body. It's insulting to any active duty, former Marine, retired Marine."

Drew "Do you see how some might be offended by it?""To each their own- art is like that."

Eli: We're not trying to offend anyone- but I can definitely see how that can happen...We don't have a political platform with this project... yes, we're using art as a protest personally, but it's an open project for all vets regardless of where or when they served."

Those running the 'combat paper project' are staunchly anti-war... And many of those who have participated, during the group's cross-country tours, share similar views. But Cameron says this is less political than it is educational...

Drew "Part of this work is trying to teach what the actual experience of war is really like." and he says by liberating rag, as this process is called, they are, in many ways, liberating themselves as well.

For more information, or to view samples of the art, visit www.combatpaper.org