Ghosts of War

The ghosts of war belong to us all. Together—veterans, families, and global citizens—we can honor the fallen, restore dignity to the living, and transform scars of conflict into pathways of healing.

The 12th Man

In every squad, there was always one more—the 12th Man—who carried not only his own weight but the spirit of his brothers beside him. Today, that spirit lives on through our program. Veterans return together, not to fight, but to heal. Side by side, they walk old battlefields, preserve the memory of those who never came home, and find strength in shared stories and the enduring bonds of brotherhood.

Two men standing outdoors, one in a gray shirt and the other in an orange shirt, saluting towards a white shirt and red hat hanging on a wooden fence, surrounded by greenery and hills.

The Tradition

As veterans return to once-familiar terrain, they encounter a landscape both breathtaking and deeply symbolic. From lush hillsides to bustling city streets and quiet country roads, these places stir powerful memories—reminders of sacrifice, service, and survival. The journey is more than a physical homecoming; it is a personal reckoning with the past. In these spaces, veterans confront the enduring psychological and emotional toll of war, honoring what was lost while making peace with what remains. Their reflections reveal the profound and lasting imprint of military service—not only on their own lives, but on their communities and on generations shaped by the legacy of conflict.

Soldier in military uniform with bull ornament on helmet, carrying a rifle.
Man wearing military uniform and cap, seated and looking at camera.
A soldier wearing a military uniform stands next to a camouflage netting and military equipment. He has short hair and a neutral expression. The background features sandbags and helmets.
Two soldiers in military gear, one in focus holding a rifle, with a serious expression, wearing helmets and backpacks, outdoors.
Three soldiers in green uniforms sitting in a wooded area, holding weapons, with another soldier in the background.
A soldier wearing a helmet with the word "PFT" written on it, looking serious, with a background suggesting a military setting.
A person wearing military gear including a helmet, vest, and glasses, standing outdoors in a natural, rugged landscape with hills in the background.
Two soldiers in military uniform in a dense jungle setting, one looking at the camera and the other with their back turned, surrounded by foliage.
Young soldier in uniform pointing at his name badge, with a wooden wall and a rifle in the background.
A person in military uniform holding a rifle in an outdoor setting with trees in the background.
A soldier in a military uniform stands in front of a sandbag fortification, smoking a cigarette. A rifle is propped against the sandbags. The background features barren trees and a cloudy sky.
A young man wearing a U.S. Navy uniform and glasses, with a white sailor hat tilted on his head.
Young man in military-style uniform looking at the camera against a plain background.
Young man in military uniform sitting outdoors near tents and vehicles.
A portrait of a man wearing a military uniform and cap.
Soldier in military uniform using a field radio

Why It Matters

War does not end when the guns fall silent. Its echoes linger in minds, in families, and in communities. By offering veterans a safe, guided return, The 12th Man program breaks cycles of isolation and opens pathways to renewed purpose. Participants leave not only with lighter burdens but also with a deeper sense of connection—to themselves, to their brothers and sisters in arms, and to a world that still needs their strength.

A man in a white polo shirt and a red "Delta Co Vietnam Veteran" cap holds a black and white photo in front of a historic building with a tiled roof. The background shows greenery and a tree.
Older man in red "Marines" shirt and hat holding a black-and-white photo of two young men.

“When you serve in combat together, you forge a bond that can never be broken. Even years later, I still feel that connection with my brothers from Vietnam.”

— Max MORGAN, Seal Team 1 (1968)

A woman with short gray hair wearing a green wide-brimmed hat and a sleeveless, striped button-up shirt standing outdoors in a natural setting with lush green foliage and a river in the background.
Group of eight men, some wearing military hats, standing and sitting outdoors on a hill with green mountains in the background. They are surrounded by green plants and reddish soil.

“Being a woman in a predominantly male environment was tough, but the support and camaraderie I found among my fellow soldiers made all the difference. We were a family.”

— Dr. Elaine NIGGEMANN, Combat Nurse (1968)