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Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq
Portrait of Marine Staff Stg. John Jones by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Last fall, HBO's Sheila Nevins invited me to photograph injured soldiers and marines for a documentary based on "24 hours in the life of Walter Reed hospital". A few weeks before our scheduled shoot day, the folks at Walter Reed changed their minds and cancelled the project.
To salvage the film, HBO decided to bring injured soldiers to New York, where James Gandolfini, executive producer of the project, would interview them.
"HBO's Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq" is the result. It premieres this Sunday, September 9th on HBO. It's a remarkable film. I would urge you to make time for it.
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INSTEAD OF A WALL FOR THESE HEROS HOW ABOUT A FILM WITH PHOTOS OF ALL THE VICTIMS, THE DISABLED, AND THE IRAQI TOO.
SO FAR THAT IS 3700+ AMERICAN SOLDERS DEAD, 29,000+ DISABLED, AND 77,000 IRAQI KILLED AND COUNTLESS DISABLED.
THE IRAQ GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY CRIPPLED WITH THE COST OF CARING FOR THEIR DISABLED PEOPLE AND THE LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE WORKERS.
IRAN IS STRAINING FROM GROWTH AND JOBS THEY WILL DIFFENTLY FILL ANY VIOD THE U.S. LEAVES THERE.
The one good thing that has come out of this war is the way the American public considers the war veteran. I was in the Army from '67 to '70 and spent most of my enlistment in Germany patrolling the border between the free world and communism. When I came home I was spit on at the airport and called a baby killer. People didn't know where I had served. They just saw a uniform and assumed I had been in Vietnam. I was even asked to leave the local VFW when I went to dinner with my dad, a WWII vet. Vets from WWII and Korea blamed the Vietnam vets of loosing the war. They couldn't believe the big-wigs in Washington didn't really want to win that war. They were making too much money from it. Just like in todays war. What's ironic is that back then most of the returning Vets were drafted into that war and didn't support the war. Todays Vet volunteered to go. We need to keep supporting our vets and get rid of the idiots in Washington that make the decisions to put our military where it shouldn't be in the first place.
I'm sure the HBO show will have some great photography, I don't have HBO so I won't see it, but you won't see pictures of some of the worst wounds of this war. The people we send to Iraq and Afghanistan have to live in a hell that only another war vet can understand. I know I can't understand, even after talking with guys that had to live in the rice paddys for days eating bugs and watching little children burn to death from the napalm our planes dropped. I got to listen to a lot of guys that had spent their enlistment in Vietnam. Their stories gave me nightmares but I'll never know the real hell they live with in their heads. Too bad we can't take the images from a war vet's mind and put them in Bush's mind, if he had one.
You are right. WAR IS HELL!
Nightmares last a lifetime.
Visions of horror can't be erased.
The odor, unlike anything here at home.
The sounds ,even film makers can't reproduce.
The loss, so great, words can't describe it.
The pain, physical and mental, never leaves.
With great respect for all soliders, this film will
hopefully embrace their bravery and patriotic service.
TO A CRIPPLED CONGRESS MAY THIS FILM BRING
INTO FOCUS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE
TO DO.
IF YOU LACK THE COURAGE TO SERVE YOURSELF
OR SEE YOUR LOVED ONES ENLIST, THEN YOU
HAVE TO STOP BUSH'S MADNESS NOW!
STOP ASKING OTHERS TO DO WHAT YOU WILL NOT
DO AND FOR WHAT?
WHY ARE WE IN IRAQ?
SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE THE BLAME AND IT SHOULD
FALL TO THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, BUSH.
DO THE RIGHT THING AND IMPEACH HIM.
THEN GET ON WITH TRYING TO MAKE AMENDS
FOR THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OUR SOLIDERS,
THEIR FAMILIES AND THE INNOCENT IRAQI PEOPLE.
Shame on Walter Reed for backing out on this project.
Their decision says a great deal and nothing good.
So must we have film crews at all VA facitilies for our vets to be treated well?
Are you ashamed of them? Or ashamed of your treatment of them?
I am looking forward to seeing this film. HBO should
bring it to local networks for all to see.
This administration and the MSM have worked together to keep these images out of the hearts and minds of Americans.
Thank God for the bravery of the people involved in this project.
My family has served its nation in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Today, my cousin sits in a state run mental institution as a result of his service in the Middle East over the last 3 years. The VA has no place and no compassion for his situation. And everytime this president opens his mouth, I am embarrassed to be an American. It makes me sad to think of the foolishness of the Supreme Court in 2000 and the electorate in 2004. And it makes me cry for the families who find their lives changed, and not for the better, due to the arrogant actions of this administration, a press that has forgotten what it means to really be journalists and investigative reporters, and a public so uneducated and apathetic that they ever accepted this dillusional person as their leader.
I can only hope and pray that we find the guts as a nation to say no more in 2008. I really wish it could happen tomorrow, but alas there is no majority in Congress to do so-1 seat does not a majority make.
Pray for peace-and impeachment
And keep speaking your truth. Only if more people like you continue to talk will the delusions of grandeur fostered by Bu$hco being shown in full relief for the delusions they actually are.
Life magazine published photographs of severely injured Vietnam vets and turned America's stomachs. Men without faces for example. These images are rarely seen by the American public. Too inflammatory, disrespectful the arguments run. It is nice that a celebrity artworld photographer like Greenfield-Sanders presents some elegant images of the injured but it is time to show the true cost of war.
Hmmm. No ever-lovin' GOP trolls over here talking about what a wonderful war they know it is, or what a glorious victory lies ahead. Wonder why?
Semper Fi Staff Stg. You were a hero and patriot the minute you put on those Dress Blues. I wish for you hot showers, warm beds, and peacful sleep my brother.
What a tragedy for the nation and the people who signed up to protect us. How can Republicans sleep nights?
Staff Sgt. John Jones....
Thank you for your service and God bless always!
Incredibly moving photographs. No words needed, no explanations would elucidate more than what we see...
The strength of the human spirit and fragility of the human body.
No words here can truly express my emotions.
Thank you all, for your sacrifice and for allowing us to witness your reality in that sacrifice.
Thank you, Timothy for the opportunity to view your photographs and reflect on the human cost of many..
Home from Iraq.
The Japanese have different words for Peace:
Anshin-Freedom from troubles
Heiwa-Freedom from wars
Shizukesa-Quietness
Helon-Calmness
I wish you all Peace, in all these ways.
Jo
Why?
Jack Jett
Thank you for this project. I hear the daily body count from Iraq and I hear about the 3700+ soldiers murdered in Iraq. But what we don't hear much about is the many thousands more devastated by physical and emotional injuries that will last a lifetime. Mourning the death of a loved one is horrible. But no less horrific is the sacrifice of the 20 year old man or woman who will spend every moment of every day for the next 80 years dealing with shattering injuries.
And the truth is, their blood is on our hands. We elected (and re-elected) the bastards that sent them there. While I never voted for Bush or any of his Republican dirtbags, it's small comfort when I realize that my country called these men and woman to arms and let them suffer for a worthless cause. And I ask myself if I'm really doing all I can to end it.
Somewhere in Iraq and is a young man or woman who tomorrow will be killed or maimed because we left them there. What are we waiting for?
Oh Rockwell, God love ya, but
YES, YOU CAN DO SOMETHING!
Please, please, all any soldier could ask is that you keep those that send us to war,, HONEST!
Demand transparency!
Demand the truth!
We die for you, we suffer for you, we lose body parts for you!
ALL WE ASK IS TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY and NOT LIED TO!
If there need be this war, confirm the PLAN!
You know how I know we as American are supposed to be in on all these goings on? Because when they built the Capitol and Congress they put in a balcony, a public gallery. RIGHT THERE! IN BRICK, TIMBER AND STONE!
We are supposed to see! We are supposed to listen.
That’s how I know we are to be privy to what now is all behind closed doors!
It is because they BUILT the buildings to afford us ALL access!
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS!
Help us,,,,Help us,,,,, help us,,,,, Just ASK!
We have given you everything!
Please, please,,,,, just keep them HONEST!
For the love of God, most merciful, AND Country, keep them honest!
All the best
Knute
In 2003 prior to the start of the War one of the numb nuts embedded reporters was interviewing gung ho Marines in Kuwait along the border with Iraq. They were literally chomping at the bit to get in there and kill some Iraqis. That is, after all, what they are trained and paid to do. They had been fed all the Bush Shit they could digest with their 20 years of life experience. The Vietnam War was as familiar to them as the Peloponnesian Wars. Even at their age I wasn’t nearly as naive or unread as these young lions. Now with three times their life experience behind me I can easily discern the political bull shit that flows so freely from our Political Leaders. If possible, I would have given each of these brave but History and knowledge challenged young lions a pawn, the cannon fodder of the chess board. That piece would be theirs to keep until they had discovered its meaning, then it would be theirs to pass along to the next generation of the brave but ignorant. Hopefully before that generation could be hoodwinked by those unworthy of their devotion and loyalty.
Great photo and great subject.
I read Jonathan's post a few days ago and I was really impressed.
I think this picture will go down in history as one of the most evocative of this crazy administration's adventure in Irak
Great work Timothy.
I am overwhelmed.
Please excuse me, I didn't want this war.
I wrote congress and newspapers and my reps saying so.
I can't articulate what I am actually going through.
At the moment, looking at my fellow Americans who have experienced such trauma, I am upset with many emotions.
Wish I had a magic wand!!!
beachglass
Beachgalss I hear you. NO. Correction,,, I FEEL YOU!
My Great, Great uncle died at Shilo. Injured, he later was taken prisoner and died the next day. Buried in an unmarked mass grave as so many were.
My Great Uncle died in France in 1918. Wounded and gases he was moved to rear to recover with a one-way pass home, his lungs blistered. He refused and 3 weeks later, he requested to be sent back to the front. About a week after, he failed to form up at morning call, and was found stone-cold in his bunk, a victim of the dreaded influenza.
My Uncle, Fathers brother a Major and navigator, survived WWII, only to crash land in 1951 when returning from an over-flight of Russia to see if Russia had advanced with their developments of the Hydrogen Bomb. The B-29 they flew, bucking head winds, out of fuel but on track, crashed only 2 miles short of their English Airbase. All perished.
My father went into service in 1939, and was a combat photographer. He was at the fronts in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Corsica, Sicily, Florence and Barry Italy and the invasion of Southern France and on to Germany. Photographers always go in first.
Uncle2 served in Korea months on end at the front and was returned home with shell-shock, his nose frozen and many toes.
I served from 1969 till 1977 as a US Navy Seal and served deployments in Cambodia, Viet Nam, Panama, Chili, Mindanao, Korea, I have limited use of my legs, one working hand, nearly blind. I suffer divers’ disease, an erosion of the joints cause by the divers bends.
My nephew served in Gulf War 1, now is pledged by cramping of his legs that defy diagnoses, has wasted away to 93 pounds and is sick every day, vomiting, blotchy skin and night terrors that wake him screaming and covered in sweat.
And now we are called UNPATRIOTIC if we even question this war???????
We ask for the WMDs; we are shouted down?
My arse!!!!!
All the best
Knute
This is what really gets to me - families like yours who've been in the service for so many generations, in every single war.
It's almost as if there's a warrior caste system.
This country has aristocrats who never serve, generation after generation, and then there's the families who give everything they have to give, generation after generation.
The problem is that families of the warrior caste don't know how easy life is for the aristocrats, and the aristocrats don't care how terrible war is.
The aristocrats start new wars with as much sobriety as if they were planning a soire.
What does it matter to them? No one they know is in the service.
Oldknute: No one calls resisters of the war traitorous or unpatriotic, but there are those amongst you that are as despicable. I mention your democratic party leadership and leading members who voted for the war but when it got difficult they did what democrats always do, jump ship. Then they whined about being lied to, knowing that the entire world believed WMDs existed. The democratic leadership, and that bitter Gore, hyped the lie about being misled to cover their own butts and the easy malleable liberal/"progressive"/socialist left swallowed it hook line and sinker. Knute, you mentioned your ancestors. I wonder how they'd feel seeing the division dems have forged in the country today through their constant undermining of the troops. For example, the Patreas report is not out yet, but the dem leadership has pronounced it a coverup, as lies, even denounced the general himself, and the NY Times published their own version of what Patreas will say before Congress. This is consistent with dem intransigence, and if you think you have been called names, just go over others on HuffPo who have the temerity to defend the war to see what hate language is.
President Bush warned before the campaign against terror began that it would be long and difficult. Quite prophetic.
Peace.
Thank you....And a million thanks to your family. I wonder if our current President had followed the fine example of his father in terms of serving his country...he might not have learned a bit about the horrors of war...and perhaps not have started this one in Iraq. I wonder...
Beachglass - Yes. I told my husband yesterday that I've been in deep grief since this war started.
I don't know how to feel better about any of it.
I just write stupid poetry and hope to God that something I say to myself will help my broken heart. It's images like this brave young man who now must wear sticks for legs that leave me wordless.
I wish you had a magic wand too.
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Posted September 7, 2007 | 07:54 PM (EST)