The ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a new generation of American war veterans. Today, we continue a special series that aims to preserve and share the stories of American war veterans from World War II to today.

After the Wars is a multimedia documentary project that combines photographs and recordings of ten veterans. The goal is to learn how war changed their lives and what their unique experiences can tell us about the country they served.

Today, Dennis Johnson tells his story. Johnson lives in Milwaukee. He’s a veteran of Vietnam, who volunteered for the draft at the age of 20. When he returned home, he struggled with memories and guilt from his time at war. 

Click here to listen to Johnson’s story and see the multimedia from this series.