About the Book
Breathtaking. Personal. Raw. The Twenty-Year War photo book is an eye-opening insight into the lives of 71 incredible veterans of the Global War on Terror. Diving into the experience of American service members fighting in a conflict that has spanned two decades, The Twenty-Year War explores the challenge veterans face reintegrating into a society where less than 1 percent of the American populace has served in the conflict.
The Twenty-Year War is an unflinching look at what it means to serve both in uniform and out. The portraits are explosive, telling, and gritty looks at the authentic life of an American service member.
The veterans featured in The Twenty-Year War open up about their call to service, the sobering reality of combat, their transition post-military, and what it's like to find their mission again--in life.
This book shares stories not often told, including stories of fathers and sons, sisters, brothers, and husbands and wives who served together. The Twenty-Year War is a triumph of the American veteran's spirit and determination.
About the Author :
Dan Blakeley served in 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, deploying six times in support of the Global War on Terror. He graduated from Appalachian State University with his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees. He started the school's solar-powered racing team that designed and built two solar-powered race cars, competing in five international races. Dan's transition from military to civilian was not easy. Over the years he has seen firsthand a trend in the veteran community which paralleled his own experiences. "It's a lack of understanding the skills veterans bring to the table, our proven leadership, our commitment to teammates, our unwavering desire to increase potential and be our best," Dan said recently. Dan's passion for veteran success and telling their stories was the inspiration for his first book, The Twenty-Year War. Dan is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of United Valor, a company focused on telling the untold stories of war through all media formats. Tom Amenta was born in Chicago, IL, and grew up in the area before enlisting, against his family's wishes, into the United States Army on his 18th birthday. Following his five years as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, including two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Tom earned his degree in political science from the University of Illinois. Tom spent the next eight years as the COO of the veteran lifestyle apparel company Ranger Up. He pioneered the veteran lifestyle apparel category and helped grow Ranger Up into the premier company in the space. At Ranger Up, he passionately advocated for veterans' causes in many spaces, including lobbying Senate service committees. Later, he helped produce and starred in the only fully veteran-produced Hollywood movie, Range 15. He is a passionate advocate for veteran entrepreneurship and assisting veterans in transition, which led him to author his first book, The Twenty-Year War. Tom is the Chief Development Officer of United Valor.
Beau Simmons has been a professional photographer since 2009. He grew up just outside Joshua Tree National Park. An adventurer, Beau grew up working on and racing motorcycles as a child. He made a name for himself at 21 on the fashion photography scene working with clients including Marc Jacobs, 7 For All Mankind, Guess Jeans, and Converse. He was a go-to photographer for such agencies as Elite Models, IMG, and Ford Models. Beau captures his work exclusively on film using the lost art of medium format film photography, feeling it gives a classic look and feel to his work. The fashion scene began to grind on Beau. Being a cowboy is in his blood. In this spirit, he decided to pursue his passion for capturing classic Americana and the wonder of the American landscape. Through this cross-country journey, he was introduced to the veteran non-profit Heroes and Horses, a group that uses equine therapy to help veterans cope with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. His commitment to telling an authentic story about American veterans is on full display in his first feature photo book, The Twenty-Year War, which he created with two former Army Rangers, one of whom is his childhood friend, Dan Blakeley. Beau is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of United Valor.
Review :
"The Twenty-Year War honors our veterans in a way that is rarely accomplished - by listening. The array of stories and experiences in and out of uniform illustrate how complicated war is, how intricate service can be. Each veteran's voice shines through individually and authentically, so we learn their true story. It is these stories that reveal the soldier's truth of America's war in the Global War on Terror. The raw honesty, depth, and spirit captured by Beau Simmons' stunning portraits elevate this book into a true work of art."
-Emily Compagno, Fox News Anchor
"The Twenty-Year War is a must-have for anyone looking to understand the men and women who selflessly prosecuted the Global War on Terrorism."
-John Wayne Troxell, SEAC (Ret), 3rd Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
"The Twenty-Year War is a reflection of America. It's about men and women who are no different from the patriots of 1776. They are people who believe in something bigger than themselves. More than anything else, they are people who care about others. I think you measure people by what they do, not what they say. These are people who do. You'll see, and learn, a little about yourself in these stories."
-CSM (Ret.) Mike Hall
"I started reading these stories and soon realized these were the people to my right and left, some in front of me, some behind me, many of whom I never met, but whose persona mirrors so many whom I have.
As they ride life's roller coaster, they all share a common bond: leading a life of service to others, helping others by sharing their own experiences so that we may learn and identify ourselves."
-Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor Recipient, Master Sergeant, US Army (Ret)
"This may be the most important book about America's longest war. It is so much more than a photo book. There are plenty of important war stories but this is deeply personal, told by those who approached the war from a variety of viewpoints and duty positions and then transitioned to civilian life to be our newest Greatest Generation. From the bomber pilot high above the battlefield to the Green Beret on the ground, the men and women serving on active duty, reserve, or National Guard tell their stories ... the stories of the veterans of our longest war. The photographs are amazing and bring the stories to life. If there is one book that provides an explanation of the personal side of modern warfare, it is The Twenty-Year War photo book."
-4-Star General (Ret.) Doug Brown
"A riveting collection of deeply personal, unflinching, inspirational vignettes about the extraordinary Americans who served during the post-9/11 era, then transitioned to civilian pursuits in a country seemingly untouched by war. The stories in The Twenty-Year War speak volumes about the courage, selflessness, creativity, and resilience of those who served with enormous distinction over the past twenty years. All Americans should read this book; those who do will conclude, as I have, that the people who raised their right hands and took an oath of service to our country in the years after the 9/11 attacks surely are America's new Greatest Generation."
-David Petraeus, General, US Army (Ret), former Director of the CIA
