STORIES OF HUMANITY
ACROSS DIVIDES OF WAR.
What We Carry is a multimedia project bringing together veterans, refugees, and civilians who lived through the same wars from different sides.
Through storytelling, film and a culminating theater performance, the project uplifts the humans behind the headlines, reckons with the true cost of war, and asks what reconciliation might look like.
Supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts, What We Carry breaks open the silences surrounding war, displacement, and the invisible systems that shape our lives.
Born from the belief that stories heal, this work invites audiences to witness the resilience of those who have lived through war and to look beyond the lines it draws—to see the shared humanity on the other side.
In March 2026, twenty people from different sides of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria gathered in California for a weekend of storytelling, reflection, and connection.
WATCH WHAT UNFOLDED BELOW.
MEET THE STORYTELLERS
Behind What We Carry are people with stories of war, displacement, loss, resilience, and hope. Meet the veterans and civilians who have shared their experiences and helped bring this project to life.
WHAT WE CARRY IN THE NEWS
Boston Public Radio Podcast
Polina Mirzad and her husband Suleiman on their new documentary theater project “What We Carry.”
WUNC (North Carolina Public Radio)
Emiliano, NC veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, and What We Cary retreat participant, reflects on 25th anniversary of September 11th attacks.
The Columbian (Clark County, WA)
La Center veteran of the Iraq War helps soldiers transition back into civilian life
WHAT WE CARRY RETREAT PHOTOS
Held during March 2026, this intimate retreat along the Northern California coast brought together veterans, civilians, and wartime allies for a period of reflection, reconciliation, and connection.
Photos by: https://nathaliekardjian.com/
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!
Veteran Rites
Veterans Rites helps reduce the symptoms of PTSD, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal thoughts by helping veterans embracing all aspects of their human nature, identity, and experience. Veteran Rites initiates Veterans into true identity, purpose, and belonging after military service.
Website: https://www.veteranrites.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veteranrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranrites/
No One Left Behind
No One Left Behind is the nation's oldest veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to ensuring America keeps its promise to wartime allies from Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2013, NOLB has provided advocacy, resettlement assistance, and financial support to thousands of SIV recipients who served alongside U.S. troops.
Website: Nooneleft.org
Partners in the Promise Advocacy Network: nooneleft.org/partnersinthepromise
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoOneLeftBehindUS/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-one-left-behind/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nooneleftbehindus/
