Dorrie's Tree of Life by Kris Broderick
Veteran: Dorothy C., US ARMY
Artist Statement: The title of this project is “NOT AT EASE.” When a soldier is “not at ease,” they are “at attention” working to keep us safe – protecting our lives. Captain Dorothy Carskadon may not be on active duty at this time but she is definitely NOT AT EASE. She is working very hard to help soldiers and their families make the transition to civilian life after suffering the pains of war.
Trees are symbols of transition. The roots represent past events that form us, the trunk represents the present time and the branches are the future possibilities and goals that reach out. Trees are stable yet flexible. I imagine Dorrie’s life like a tree, strong and sure, helpful and positive, and in her words, “better not bitter.” I chose an oak tree because they are symbolic of strength, wisdom, loyalty and honor. The four oak leaves represent the four words she lives by (live, love, laugh, and dream); they also represent the four bullets that she took at Fort Hood in 2009. Leaves fall to the ground to nourish the tree just as all of Dorrie’s experiences have nourished her life and the lives of everyone she has sheltered and touched.