No soldier returns from a combat deployment unchanged. And upon leaving the military, meaningful context for their experience seems lost as they try to navigate civilian life. Too many carry anger and isolation to the point where life seems unbearable.
University of South Carolina alumnus Robert Chambers LeHeup is a Marine Corps infantry veteran with two combat tours under his belt when he left the service in 2004. Unaware of the depth of his trauma, he coped, as many vets do, by turning to substance abuse and violence, sometimes toward himself.
An opportunity to tell his story at a Columbia TEDx Talk in 2010 set his life on a new course. Being able to tell out loud the story of a profound moment in a combat zone overseas was transformative in a way he never imagined. The experience was healing, and it started to lift the darkness that had shrouded him for years.
Soon LeHeup began working to collect the stories of local veterans. Then he asked local artists and writers to tell those stories using their creativity and craft. In 2012, he published those stories in a book and put together a corresponding art exhibit to raise funds for local charities. The organization LeHeup founded, Bullets & Bandaids, was born.
The organization benefits from strong volunteer support, including English language and literature professor Ed Madden, who contributed a story in B&B’s latest publication Volume 4, The Next Step.
Describe the growth of Bullets & Bandaids since the TED talk.
For a few years, B&B slowly grew. I was the part owner of a media and production company, but it just wasn’t scratching my altruistic itch to help the world. On the advice of friends, B&B became a 501c3 nonprofit in 2019 and we ran it full time, just before COVID hit.
We survived COVID and are doing well. The art shows are now touring exhibits throughout the Southeast. We had an exhibit last year at the Columbia Museum of Art. We even had a show at the prestigious Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida.
In the year between March 2023 and March 2024, more than 50,000 saw our exhibits.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing veterans as they transition into civilian life?
The isolation. Veterans need to know that they have a place in society and that they are as important as everyone else. They need to know they are not alone, and there is support available to them.
Why did you decide to incorporate art into the B&B model?
I worked with artists in different media when I got out of the Marine Corps. Everybody has different styles of learning and communication, from conversation to literature or art. But on both an intellectual and visceral level, artwork can be used as a sensory metaphor that can connect across time and space.
Our mission is simple: To break down social barriers between veterans and civilians by celebrating our common humanity through storytelling and artwork.
What kind of reception is B&B having among vets and the community?
It has been consistently positive. I’ve heard comments such as “Wow, this is not what I was expecting!” “This is the most powerful art show I have ever seen.” “What you are doing is wonderful.” The stories and art have brought some to tears.
Do you hear any common themes in the veterans’ stories?
I hear their humanity. Vets are the common denominator of the melting pot of this country. B&B gives them a platform to tell their truth regardless of political, religious or demographic background.
Veterans need to know that they have a place in society. ... They need to know they are not alone, and there is support available to them.
How has your experience at USC informed or strengthened your leadership of B&B?
I graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in writing for media arts. I learned the basics of a bunch of different media, which has allowed me to understand the process of gathering more compelling content in a way that is professional and has the highest standard possible.
What are your highest ambitions for B&B?
I would like for B&B to be known as a facilitator of interconnectedness between veterans and citizens across the US, and maybe beyond.
Is there anything you would like to say to USC veterans and their families?
You can experience part of B&B up close at the Richland Library downtown this holiday season. The library is hosting an exhibit of B&B artwork from Nov. 11 through Dec. 22, 2024. For more information, visit our website at www.bulletsandbandaids.org and help spread the word. Also, we welcome volunteers in any capacity.
Banner Photo by Thomas Hammond