What Veterans Look Like After A Decade Of War In The Middle East In 22 Shocking Pics By David Jay & James Nachtwey
Wars never really end, because even though they may finish on the battlefield, many veterans bring the war back home and are forced to live with them for the rest of their lives.
This sad and sobering truth is highlighted by Photographers like David Jay and James Nachtwey, who have been documenting young and badly wounded American soldiers following their return home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated,” writes Nachtwey, while Jay’s project, compiled into a series called Unknown Soldier, was a finalist in the Portrait category for the Magnum Photography Awards 2016.
Talking about his pictures, Jay wrote that they present “an opportunity to open a dialogue about issues we are not necessarily comfortable with…and also issues that we are responsible for. The images can be uncomfortable for the viewer. It forces us to confront our fears and inhibitions about life, death, sexuality, sickness, relationships, etc. Reality is not always pretty. This is reality. Let’s address it.”
More info: David Jay | James Nachtwey (h/t: allthatisinteresting, lensculture)
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Bobby Henline
Bobby Henline was trapped inside a transport when he was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He was the only survivor.
How horrible it must be to be the only survivor of your team :( This is basically your family while being in war and all of a sudden they are all gone...
What's even worse is that, in the back of their minds, they know it can happen.
Load More Replies...Strength and resilience far beyond comprehension. Utmost admiration.
Very attractive man still. I only hope he was able to eventually combat the trauma mentally.
i met a woman who was the only survivor of a plane crash, scarred on the inside and outside. once i got past the visible scars i met an amasing human, and i will always always love the survivor
My heart to yours To me you are a handsome man I'm looking at that smile and your eyes Lost a son to irac Thank you for my freedom
Nicholas John Vogt
On November 12, 2011, army first lieutenant Nicholas was severely injured by an IED while on a foot-patrol in Panjwaii, Afghanistan. After asking Nicholas for his permission to post these images, this was his response: “The only thing that I want to pass on is this: Losing limbs is like losing a good friend. We wish we could still be with them, but it wasn't 'in the cards'. Then we get up, remember the good times, and thank God for whatever we have left. “
Tomas Young
Tomas Young enlisted in the army two days after the 2001 September 11th attacks. Five days after being sent to Iraq, he was shot in the spine while riding in an unarmored vehicle in Sadr City, leaving him paralyzed. He died in 2014 (about a year and a half after this photo was taken) due to complications from his injuries.
Tomas young had beautiful eyes. Whoever photographed him really captured them (and everything they'd seen) perfectly.
Sadr city was the most dangerous city there they literally built a wall around the city to stop the flow of weapons and ammunition the the Battle of sadr City was a month-long battle erecting the wall in the middle of fighting the entire time it was being built.
Jerral Hancock
Jerral Hancock was driving a tank in Iraq. A roadside bomb pierced the armor, breaching the interior. Jarral lives in Lancaster with his two, beautiful children.
The spiritual connection for your family and friends has great depth here. Bravery forever.
Jason Pak
First Lieutenant Jason Pak On Dec. 13, 2012 was on a foot patrol in Zangabad, Afghanistan when an IED exploded. The blast took Jason's legs (and part of his hand) but it could not take his spirit .
My respect to someone who has the courage to defend his country and move on after his injuries
If u try to join US military because u want to kill others, psych evaluation would exclude u. A well trained military secures& protects.
Load More Replies...Cedric King
Cedric King lost both of his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. His daughters talked him into trying swimming, and from there he finished the 2014 Boston Marathon in just over six hours; completed a Half Ironman race, and the New York City marathon. He is also a motivational speaker.
Bobby Bernier
Bobby was hit by incoming artillery, sustaining burns over 60% of his body. He is pictured here with his daughter Layla
Scars are only the mark of what you overcome. Not to dwell on them but to respect the life God has given us
The diamond shaped holes or bumps are from skin grafting. They had to take skin from other parts of his body, poke holes in them and place them on his back. Sounds painful. Im so glad that he survived through all this to get to his family.
Spc. Marissa Strock
Marissa Strock was injured when her vehicle was struck by an IED buried in the road. She was 20 years old.
so not old enough to buy beer but old enough to almost get herself killed in a stupid war? This is sick
Control what you are eating lass or you will ruin what is left of your body, think ahead to when you want to marry, someone out there wants to marry you.
Matt Smith
On June 8, 2013, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, Major Matt was shot along with five others by a member of the Afghan National Army. The bullet severed his femoral artery resulting in the amputation of his leg.
Please tell me he'll regenerate! (Get it? Cuz he played as the 11th doctor from Doctor Who.)
Shilo Harris
SSG Shilo Harris lives in Houston. Shilo was severely burned on February 19th, 2007 by a road side bomb estimated at 700 lbs. He lost three men out of a crew of 5. Only Shilo and his driver survived the blast.
I've had the pleasure to meet this man and he is one of the sweetest and funniest people that I have ever met.
I had the honor of listening to Shilo speak and was able of shaking his hand. His recovery and highly motivational return to society are miraculous.
Fortitude beyond anyone's imagination in the recovery spectrum. The mind is an amazing tool to overcome defeat. Much respect to all trying to make this world a better place to live.
I was just wandering if they could still hear after that does any one know?
Why our stupid leaders don't go themselve to their wars in stead of sending innocent soldiers ?
Joel Tavera
Joel, now 26, was injured in Iraq at age 20. Severely burned, blinded, a leg lost and over 90 surgeries later. Joel had this to say: “Looks are deceiving . . . what looks like a half empty glass is actually three-quarters full”.
Yes .... they are way too young to go to war when it should be the countries leaders who should go to war rather than sit in offices. This is so sad that these youngsters have been denied a healthy future cause of having to fight cause leaders say so ffs! What the hell is the matter with the world!
Load More Replies...The glass half empty actually being three-quarters full analogy is a really powerful, positive way to look at anything in life, especially so after having something like this happen.
Looks are NOT deceiving. They show why we have to stop so-called wars. Just don't go
Christian Brown
Marine CPL Christian Brown at the Walter Reed Medical Center. On Dec. 13, 2011, Christian was leading his squad on foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device. Both of his legs were blown off- one above the knee, the other below the hip. Just four days prior, under heavy enemy fire, Christian had carried a mortally wounded Marine almost 1,000 feet to a hovering helicopter.
Stephanie Morris
Army Specialist Stephanie Morris suffered leg injuries in an attack in Afghanistan. With physical therapy, she has since run the Army ten-miler. “I have to do it for them,” she says, speaking of the friends she lost in the attack.
Allan Armstrong
Army staff sergeant Allan Armstrong was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan four times. He had just finished training when a motorcycle crash took his leg. He has since placed first in the 2014 Warrior Games in the 100 and 200 meter sprints.
Through his injuries, he manages to stay Allan ArmSTRONG. What a wonderful and hardy spirit.
I don't think this one should count as he wasn't injured because of the war but rather at home. He is a wondeful man for being deployed 4 times but unlike the others whos injuries came directly from the war his has not
Navy Seal
This is Navy Seal, Bo Reichenbach. 25 years old. He was injured on July, 17th 2012 in Afghanistan.
Adam Hartswick
Army combat medic Sergeant Adam Hartswick lost his legs and suffered a brain injury while treating wounded soldiers in Afghanistan. He is in virtual-reality therapy, and has learned to walk again.
My respect. If he got injured while saving the lives of your brothers in arms I bow my head in respect
Jose Ramos
Retired Navy hospital corpsman Jose Ramos lost an arm in an Iraqi rocket attack. He expects to participate in the 2016 Paralympics. “Running is what I do to relax,” he says.
Wayne Waldon
Retired Army Captain Wayne Waldon lost a leg in Baghdad, Iraq. Seven years later, he not only walks, but is an adaptive snowboarding champion. “The prosthetic leg doesn’t feel stuck to me anymore,” he says. “It has become part of me."
Daniel Burgess
Daniel stepped on a IED, losing one leg and destroying the other.
David Bixler
Army Corporal David Bixler lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan.
Matthew Aiken
EOD Ssg Matthew Aiken. On April 3, 2013, Matt was injured while clearing an IED site on Kandahar.
Shame the politicians got away scot free, sending good people to fight in countries that had nothing to do with 9/11. The price they paid was too high no coutry should ask as much.
Load More Replies...Michael Fox
Michael Fox, a 27 year old Marine. On November 15, 2011 Michael was on foot patrol in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
Ya'll are true heroes & I pray your health continues to be positive. we are extremely grateful for your courage & indebted to you forever for all your sacrifices! 😍
The pride I integrity and pride I see in these photos Is truly inspiring! Sending blessings and hugs
What the point of this war? Nobody will win... Except people who sell and produce the war things...
The American economy runs on war and fear, because as you say money is to be made from the sale and manufacturing of wartime items. As for fear, what is more terrifying than the thought that if you stop fighting then "your enemies" will overrun your home and slaughter that which you love? War and Fear is what the American government does best. I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion and that's fine. I know the truth is uncomfortable for those who refuse to accept it.
Load More Replies...Bravery doesn't end just because they've left the battlefield. It takes amazing courage to keep going and become more than your injury. Can't imagine the psychological injuries also.
there's no bravery on the battlefield. only corpses. war is the end of man.
Load More Replies...I wonder sometimes why many Americans are so avid about the soldiers and "support our troops" mentality (though not usually voting in favour of help for veterans, but that's another matter) and I think that it might have something to do with the fear of hearing that so many died for what was, essentially, nothing. (I know it's not quite "nothing", but it sure wasn't the justice that the common people wanted.)
Master Markus, why do you feel compelled to negativity when it comes to the American people and their patriotism? I only ask out of curiosity.
Load More Replies...This whole post makes me want to cry. These pictures are great, and they're great to show everyone what war does to humans. Not only does it kill (innocent) people, it also severely injures them. And for what?!
Well, ISIS is a very evil organization that should be stopped, though I will say that they might have happened because of certain US actions
Load More Replies...Good post idea! I know my M East & S Asian colleagues like to discuss their countries before & after internal turmoil, int'l involvement.
Load More Replies...I`d like to see Donald Trump in a battlefield. Maybe he becomes more human.
And Crooked Hillary and Hussein Obama what would they become?
Load More Replies...Injured/destroyed lives. On both sides. Destroyed places. In war zones. For what? For saying "I'm proud we won over them"??? War never brings anything good.
What the point of this war? Nobody will win... Except people who sell and produce the war things...
The American economy runs on war and fear, because as you say money is to be made from the sale and manufacturing of wartime items. As for fear, what is more terrifying than the thought that if you stop fighting then "your enemies" will overrun your home and slaughter that which you love? War and Fear is what the American government does best. I'm sure this will get downvoted into oblivion and that's fine. I know the truth is uncomfortable for those who refuse to accept it.
Load More Replies...Bravery doesn't end just because they've left the battlefield. It takes amazing courage to keep going and become more than your injury. Can't imagine the psychological injuries also.
there's no bravery on the battlefield. only corpses. war is the end of man.
Load More Replies...I wonder sometimes why many Americans are so avid about the soldiers and "support our troops" mentality (though not usually voting in favour of help for veterans, but that's another matter) and I think that it might have something to do with the fear of hearing that so many died for what was, essentially, nothing. (I know it's not quite "nothing", but it sure wasn't the justice that the common people wanted.)
Master Markus, why do you feel compelled to negativity when it comes to the American people and their patriotism? I only ask out of curiosity.
Load More Replies...This whole post makes me want to cry. These pictures are great, and they're great to show everyone what war does to humans. Not only does it kill (innocent) people, it also severely injures them. And for what?!
Well, ISIS is a very evil organization that should be stopped, though I will say that they might have happened because of certain US actions
Load More Replies...Good post idea! I know my M East & S Asian colleagues like to discuss their countries before & after internal turmoil, int'l involvement.
Load More Replies...I`d like to see Donald Trump in a battlefield. Maybe he becomes more human.
And Crooked Hillary and Hussein Obama what would they become?
Load More Replies...Injured/destroyed lives. On both sides. Destroyed places. In war zones. For what? For saying "I'm proud we won over them"??? War never brings anything good.
