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Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 5:47:43 PM

jlf1961

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Mesmerizing Photographs Of Soldiers' Faces Before And After A War

Admittedly I did not see nearly as much as these men did, but for a while, I didnt look much better. I am sure there are vets on these boards that would agree.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 5:58:12 PM

SpaceSpank

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I remember talking to a guy who was in the battle of the bulge and stuck behind enemy lines during it. It had been almost a lifetime ago, but when you saw him start talking about it you could see his face change.

Everyone I've ever known that's seen real combat is similar. It fades after awhile, but it usually doesn't take much to slip back into it. Anyone that ever thinks soldiers don't go through some major psychological shit has obviously never met one and seriously talked to them about some of the things they went through.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 7:50:32 PM

TheHeretic

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There is something powerful in those images, Jlf. I hope the photographer follows up with the subjects for future additions to the gallery. Thank you for posting it.

Except for the very first one, who looks more like a heroin addict than anything else to me, they look like men who have seen and done hard things, under tremendous stress.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 8:13:37 PM

DomKen

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I saw this happen to my nephew. He joined the NG and went to Iraq twice.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 8:16:21 PM

MrRodgers

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I see more gaunt but I think because of diet. As much during than after but the look in the eyes have a certain vacuousness.

"War is all hell." You know who.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 8:24:56 PM

Dvr22999874

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The thousand yard stare. Each face speaks volumes. Thanks jlf.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/24/2014 8:37:16 PM

kdsub

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Thank God for most it does not last...but for a few it does... God bless them.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/25/2014 5:04:37 AM

Yachtie

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The first set is interesting. The three pics. The eyes within the face. The first, off in some sleepy dreamland, perhaps not having a care in the world or simply unfocused as to life. It's the second picture though, so focused, hard, determined. What escapes the first will not escape the second. Not sure how to catagorize the last. Perhaps "been there, got the tee shirt too." I find most of them have similar qualities.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/25/2014 5:30:25 AM

jlf1961

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Yachtie

The first set is interesting. The three pics. The eyes within the face. The first, off in some sleepy dreamland, perhaps not having a care in the world or simply unfocused as to life. It's the second picture though, so focused, hard, determined. What escapes the first will not escape the second. Not sure how to catagorize the last. Perhaps "been there, got the tee shirt too." I find most of them have similar qualities.

I look at the third picture and see the face of someone that wants to forget and knows they never can.

Considering the higher incidence of suicide among combat vets from Iraq and Afghanistan, I would like to see the photographer take pictures of the ones still alive in ten years.

One of my favorite authors rode with the black horse in Vietnam, he started writing military science fiction to deal with what he felt when he got out of the military. Some of his non fiction essays are very moving. His name is David Drake.

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Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?

You cannot control who comes into your life, but you can control which airlock you throw them out of.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/25/2014 2:38:41 PM

joether

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There is a lot of questions here that is not being answered. No order of importance in the questions:

A ) How old are they in the 'before, during, and after' photos?

B ) What was their physical, mental and emotional health?

C ) Were they told to be expressionless for the photos? Are their photos of them happy, sad, angry, and laughing?

D ) How much time was spent in action of 'during' time?

E ) How long after the 'during' was the 'after' photo taken?

F ) What do the photos teach us beyond what we know about the normal aging process?

G ) Do we know anything about these men beyond three photographs?

I ask these questions lovingly and with respect. Honestly wish them good lives going forward.

< Message edited by joether -- 2/25/2014 2:39:04 PM >

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/25/2014 4:07:39 PM

Hillwilliam

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quote:

ORIGINAL: jlf1961

. Some of his non fiction essays are very moving. His name is David Drake.

One of my favorite authors. I'm in the middle of one of his books at the moment. "With the Lightnings"

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/25/2014 9:03:41 PM

RottenJohnny

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quote:

ORIGINAL: joether

There is a lot of questions here that is not being answered. No order of importance in the questions:

A ) How old are they in the 'before, during, and after' photos?

B ) What was their physical, mental and emotional health?

C ) Were they told to be expressionless for the photos? Are their photos of them happy, sad, angry, and laughing?

D ) How much time was spent in action of 'during' time?

E ) How long after the 'during' was the 'after' photo taken?

F ) What do the photos teach us beyond what we know about the normal aging process?

G ) Do we know anything about these men beyond three photographs?

I ask these questions lovingly and with respect. Honestly wish them good lives going forward.

Really? Of all the things that can be said about the experience of serving in a combat zone, this is what you're going with?

Wow.

Thanks for the post, jlf.

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RE: Everyone needs to see this, comments welcome. - 2/26/2014 8:02:59 AM

fucktoyprincess

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I get the gist of the photos and, having family members who have served in different wars in history, I am fully aware of the horrors of war and the obvious impact that this must have on someone (the trajectory being innocent, bearing up, and hollowed out/toughened). However, on looking at these photos, not all of the them seem to follow that trajectory. Some (just being honest here) look as hollowed out/tough in the first photo as the last. Not everyone seems to wear the experience on their face in the same way. I think the photos can capture some of the trajectory, but quite honestly, can the photos ever capture the true horror of war. If only there was a way to photograph their psyches. Judging by a cover is easy; it's understanding that things could be wrong even when they look okay on the surface that is harder.