Micaela Bensko
Micaela Bensko provided the photograpic images of our wounded warriors, working with each to disclose their inner beauty.
Bensko's work has been seen in national publications such as Brides Magazine and Martha Stewart Living. She has been featured in her field by Professional Photographers Magazine, and received national award recognition in album design. Based in Los Angeles, her work takes her around the globe, but remains firmly grounded with a husband and four children. Micaela is also VP of The Iraq Star 
Foundation, providing free reconstructive surgery to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. She is currently writing a book on photography and commits herself to mentoring students by regularly visiting classrooms to share her passion for photography.
Amanda S. Cherry-Haus
Amanda S. Cherry-Haus provided videography and story writing services for the Tempered Steel Inc. Project.
She has been a long time volunteer using her experience as
an Army medic, Army Public Affairs Specialist and volunteer counselor to
help others. She has worked with organizations like H.O.R.S.E. - an equine
therapy program for autistic children and military veterans, The American
Red Cross suicide hotline and domestic violence education program, Veterans
of Modern Warfare, Patriot Guard Riders, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Her deployment with the Iowa Army National Guard after college led her to
follow a life-long goal of travel, writing and photography as well as
service to others. She worked for several years as an Emergency Medical
Technician and firefighter continuing her service to others. Amanda is an
award winning photographer with her photos being published most recently in
the Leavenworth Times and featured in several Kansas City art shows.
She has
had articles published in Stars and Stripes as well as local newspapers
featuring the unique issues facing veterans. Amanda and her husband MSG
James Haus were recently featured in an interview with Bob Woodruff for
World News with Diane Sawyer addressing the alarming rate of veteran
suicides. As a military spouse of a soldier with severe PTSD, Amanda has
educated herself on the issues gaining certification on PTSD treatment and
causes. She is currently starting her own charity called W.O.M.A.N.-Women of
the Military Advocacy Network, to focus on the unique needs of military
women and families while working with Tempered Steel on the Library of
Congress videography sessions.
US Military Members
We owe more gratitude than we can express to our military members who honorably serve our nation, ready to go where asked because they believe in America. Each military member serves his/her country, not taking a political side, simply because they cherish the foundation of America. Some give of their time and talents. Some give their lives. Some return with the wounds of war - permanant scars that will forever change their lives.
The military members agreeing to be part of Tempered Steel, Inc. have yet given even more. They allow us to view them from the outside in. Through their images and stories, they share their joys and sorrows in order to achieve change. This change provides the opportunity to not only see their inner beauty, but also to see ourselves, our prejudices, our fears and our compassion. A deep heartfelt thank-you to these courageous Americans!
