The Tug McGraw Foundation deserves a hearty “thank you” for doing its part to help injured or sick soldiers. The family of the late major league pitcher, who spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves during the Vietnam War, has established a photo-therapy program that’s currently being offered through Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior program.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/01/wounded-warriors-find-voice-in-camera/

The fStop Warriors Project, taught by Santa Barbara photographer Terence Ford, teaches Marines to use the camera lens to express thoughts and feelings they can’t quite verbalize. As Cpl. Jennifer Ratliff, injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) and now getting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, notes in a photo caption, “It allows me to express myself in a way that I can no longer do with words.” The photo shows her hand, with a “love” tattoo, holding a picture of her lifting up a little girl, the daughter of a friend.

Ford and his camera equipment touched down in Camp Pendleton in January. He’s now in the middle of his second 12-week course. It’s as rewarding to him as it is to his wounded charges. “They taught me a word I didn’t really know before,” he said. “And that word is honor.”