Navy SEAL Photos In New Book, "SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice" (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Stephanie Freid-Perenchio:
It all began at a dinner party ten years ago. I found myself seated next to Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward, currently Deputy Commander of the U.S. Joint Forces. I was intrigued by Harward's experience as a Navy SEAL and as we talked, our conversation further sparked my curiosity.

After the events of 9/11, I realized that the world of Navy SEALs was still shrouded in secrecy. I wanted to explore and shed light upon this culture that most people had never seen nor fully understood. Most of all, I wanted to share it with others in a way that was patriotic but not political.

I knew that my childhood friend Jennifer Walton was the perfect person to work with me on the project, as we shared many of the same interests and passions. I presented the idea for a photography book about SEALs to Vice Admiral Harward, and his support, along with his confidence in our integrity, helped us to obtain an unusually high level of access from the military within only a few months.

Jennifer and I soon embarked on an incredible journey, knowing we had been given an extremely rare opportunity. Yet gaining access did not mean immediate acceptance from the SEALs. One official told us it would take tenacity and very tough skin to make it work. There was no instruction manual--we had to follow our hearts and our vision and figure it all out on our own. We began the project with open minds and worked hard to earn the respect and the trust of the men and their families.

We are not journalists, a fact that helped us in our endeavor. We approached the project with a unique point of view and a rare level of sensitivity. Our presence was not threatening and we always knew when to back off and respect boundaries. While we were among the SEALs, we witnessed a fundamental shift in their culture. It was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, and we felt honored to have been chosen by these men to share in their lives and experiences at such a time.

Our top priority was to tell the story of the SEALs accurately and to honor the men, women, and children who are part of the Naval Special Warfare community. The book was born out of friendship, trust, and integrity and the result is a tribute to the sacrifices Navy SEALs and their families make every day.

PHOTOS FROM THE BOOK:

• • • • • • • • • • • Cold, Wet, and Training

WATCH THE VIDEO:

 

Comments

[lmpub]

The ultimate warriors....and true heroes.

[KDog76A]

thanks to all who've served, we owe you

[seal62]

Ladies..thank you for you book...I will never read it.Point is this thread caused me to respond to long list of friends looking for me.I ran to my phone all day long...Team Bratt....thank you

[TeamBrat]

It's the least a lady can do for her Brothers....see ya when I see ya!!

[seal62]

There seems to be a need for a history lession..So ya wanna be a Frogman?..1st founded as Underwater Demolition with the need to clear beach obsticals.I only have 250 words and this might get scrubbed.The casuality rate for Normandy was 95%.I knew one ..his name was little Ed..we';ll get back to him in another post

[seal62]

here,,,my stuff is getting cut out http://www.udtseal.org/

[steel71]

The S E A L was born after the US took a beat!ng in V!etnam. I wonder what new special forces will be created after this b!utt whopping in !raq and Afghan!stan.
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56,000 died on the American side, North Vietnam lost between 1,000,000 -1,500,000, what side do you want to be on? You're just another leftist who hates those considered superior to yourself. LAME..

[sleeperd]

Amen.

They censored my reply to this ... gentleman.

The U.S. Military never lost a battle in Nam.

[ICorpsDoc]

Not totally true. In Oct 1967 a full BN (Black Knights) of the First Infantry Division was decimated in Oct 1967 by the VC. They walked or ran into an ambush and the VC they ran into chewed them to bits.

There were also other battles where wining had a very hollow ring to those on the ground. Guys only saved by the fact that we had total control of the air and lots of big guns.

We had smaller engagements. Also called battles where we had who companies over run....plts wiped out....and small teams that were there one minute and dead the next.

Read the book Operation Buffalo. A horrfying story of the Marines in northern ICorps running into the NVA. Tell me if that sounds like victory to you?

We fought a truly professional and hardcore enemy in VN. Both the VC at least what we called the Main Force VC and the NVA.

Enemies that were worthy of our efforts.

VN was not shooting fish in a barrel

[seal62]

Wow thank you for the lesson in history....try google

[ellawensmom]

So glad I'm not a Navy Seal. That stuff looks painful, uncomfortable, and miserable. My hat is off to you guys for getting through that! I'd be out after about 3 minutes.

[GravitonX]

Navy SEALS have my complete respect as warriors.

[kinvore]

Thank you, Navy Seals, and everyone who is (and has served) in our armed forces. Your sacrifices may not always seem appreciated, but rest assured that some of us arch-liberals support you even if we don't always support the conflicts to which you have been sent.

And a particular "shoutout" to all my friends and family in the military. You are loved and missed more than words can ever express. Please come back safe.

[seal62]

OK,,I'll go on a limb and respond.....people now thank me for my service...No ..Thank you..You payed my way...You have no idea about the cost on me putting lead down range.You sent cards..people i dont even know.I thank you for your tax dollars.I thank you for the training.I will always be in debt for your support.I am gratefull to serve my country,

[pterack5]

when I was a kid we did all that at boy scout camp. . .

[alex61]

I was in the Marine Corps reserves during the Viet Nam war. I was never called to full time service. I did have one "hostile" encounter, though, and it was on our own shores.
A buddy and I were fresh out of boot camp and were on our way to Jacksonville, Florida for basic aviation training. We were at Los Angeles International Airport, two teenagers with shaved heads. We had been in the Marines all of11 weeks.
Suddenly, we were set upon by a group college aged people who began berating us for participating in "an unjust war," and being tools of the military-industrial complex, etc
We were a bit flummoxed. Being in uniform, we really couldn't defend ourselves from this unexpected onslaught. Nothing in our basic training had prepared us for this!
Just as suddenly, rescuers appeared. Four "old guys" came between us and our tormentors. With a choice verbal barrage of their own, they ran the anti-military "demonstrators" off in a hurry. It was a counterattack in the finest tradition of the U.S. military.
The four men introduced themselves. They were all WW II Army veterans. They said that they hadn't been treated this way back then, and they didn't like seeing it happen to us. Then, they took my fellow Marine and I into the airport bar and made sure we each got a cold beer, even though we were underage!
Thanks, Army! These two (now old) Marines still owe you.

[JulieSA]

Thank you. Great story. Unfortunately, protesters are still assaulting soldiers. Code Pink verbally assaulted the CHILDREN of military families in line to attend the White House Halloween party.

[cardineau]

I like the article.

[sleeperd]

For over two years I have been fighting the overwhelming liberal mindset that spews forth on this site with every breath in my body...

Today I stand in awe of many of the posters on this thread.

Sleeperd - United States Navy -1959 to 1966.

[cardineau]

I am a Korean War vet. The last thing that I would want my children and grandchildren to do would be to serve in some elite military organization such as the seals and help promote war and aggression for the political and financial interests of the USA.

[Jack1812]

My family started serving during King Phillips War in the 1600's with a majority of us serving ever since. It was one of my proudest moments to take the oath to serve although we were never pushed to do so by our relatives and we rarely talk about our experiences. I was fortunate to serve in the Amphibious side of the USN and know the Seal Team embarked with us. They were/are some of the best men I knew. Thanks for bringing their story to us!

[GravitonX]

They used to be called frogmen (for their amphibious - land/water) missions. Names mean alot so perhaps the term "frogman" was dropped because it doesn't command a whole lot of respect from the enemy.

[faith]

Sometimes that nomenclature continues. The oldest frogman still serves and maintains every BUD/S and "real deal SEAL" utmost respect. His war injuries are unbelievable but he continues. Never give up !

[ICorpsDoc]

Its more than a name change.

The old frogmen of WW2 aka UDT had a different mission. A much more limited mission having to do with beaches and invasions.

They were not the all purpose spec ops sailors we see today.

Not totally different. But much different.