Uffe raises the flag on Saturday morning holding the clip for the flag in his mouth to steady the rope. Then he goes inside for breakfast, keeping a watchful eye towards the window, naming the birds he sees fly by. After breakfast, he walks on the crunched gravel to the bus, sits in his preferred seat, the edge seat in the back of the bus, closest to the door, one eye on the sign for the next stop, and one on the incoming passengers ahead of him on the bus.

He’s on his way into the city to go swimming, an activity that helps him relieve stress, but he sits up straighter on the edge of his seat when a noisy passenger boards.

Uffe Kühne mostly has his PTSD under control, but he’s vigilant sometimes on his trip from the Aarhus veterans’ home, where he is temporarily living, to the city centre where he goes for a swim three times a week.

The veterans’ home, Veteranhjem Midtjylland, in Brabrand, Aarhus is a safe haven for veterans to build community and spend time with others facing the same challenges. The home is open for drop-ins from veterans 10:00 – 14:00 and they can speak with other veterans about their days. For some, it’s a space for talking through the difficulties of returning to civilian life with other people who understand those challenges.

Some veterans just need a couple days of retreat, sitting by the fireplace spotting deer running through the backyard, making dinner together, or even painting in the studio adjacent to the home. 

This story was part of the photobook Openings. Click the link to view my full story and layout.