Veronica didn’t want to be at the airport when the Marines returned home from Afghanistan in April 2011.
Thomas J. Brennan
Thomas is the founder and executive director of The War Horse. He served as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan before studying investigative reporting at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. His reporting has appeared in Vanity Fair, Center for Investigative Reporting, and on the front page of The New York Times. Thomas has held fellowships at the Center for a New American Security, The Atlantic Council, and The George W. Bush Institute. Thomas's feature writing has been awarded by the Society for Features Journalism and the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. His investigative reporting has earned him both a national and regional Edward R. Murrow, two Fourth Estate Awards, and the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Journalism Award. He can be reached at thomas@thewarhorse.org.
Posted inNewsroom
Echoes Project: The Replacement
After Javier’s funeral at Arlington Cemetery, the Marines who were still in Afghanistan tried their best to stay positive for the rest of their deployment.
Posted inNewsroom
Echoes Project: A World and a Lifetime Ago
The explosion woke Second Lt. Jason Blydell, and he jumped off his cot as his patrol base shook violently. The radio crackled: “Stand by, casualty report… We have one urgent surgical.” Then silence.
Posted inNewsroom
Echoes Project: When The Years Pass
Anthony was three when his father died, and he hasn’t stopped missing being tickled since. There isn’t much that he says he remembers about his father, but there is one thing he hopes he never forgets.
Posted inOur Impact
As the ‘Forever War’ Drags On, Veterans Bring Battlefield Knowledge to the Newsroom
In March 2018, The War Horse was featured by Columbia Journalism Review for our team’s work addressing the decline in military coverage at for-profit and non-profit media organizations.
Posted inInvestigations
Marine Corps Publishes, Then Deletes, Name Of First Woman Infantry Officer
Corps mistakenly outs first woman grunt, then denies multiple interview requests, citing her privacy concerns. Veterans call for transparency, celebration.
Posted inOur Impact
Inside the Nude Photo Scandal That Rocked The Marine Corps
The War Horse was the first to report on the hundreds of Marines using social media to solicit and share naked photos of female service members and veterans.
Posted inInvestigations
An Attack From Within: Male Marines Ambush Women In Uniform
The Defense Department is investigating the orchestrated stalking and the deliberate collection, and distribution of photographs of active duty and veteran women. Dozens of victims were identified by their name, rank, and duty station. Our exclusive investigation.
Posted inFeatures
Rebuilding Honor: How Kyle Carpenter Came Back From The Brink Of Death
Seven years ago this month Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter suffered grievous wounds after shielding another Marine from a grenade blast in Afghanistan. Somehow, he survived. This is the story of his remarkable recovery.
Posted inReflections
Really I’m OK
Thomas Brennan reflects on what selfless service at Ground Zero and an endless war against ideals has taught him—and how it’s come to be that a new generation fights the same war that began 15 years ago.
Posted inReflections
Years Later, Loss at War Resonates at Home
Our global community is and continues to be ever more affected by war. Responsible and constructive conversation is more important than ever.
Posted inFeatures
Echoes Project: Javier Ortiz Rivera
After she heard that her husband had died, Veronica remembers screaming for the Marines and chaplain to leave, but they wouldn’t.
