Belt of Iraqi 7.62mm x 54R Machine Gun Ammo
"Jundi"....an Iraqi Soldier
Aid Station and Battle Position
Saddam Mosque 
Sergeant of the Guard Making the Rounds
Looking Down MSR Michigan Towards Government CenterThe city of Ar Ramadi was a target rich environment visually alive with people, objects and surfaces. Here are several photographs of things mentioned in the previous entry along with a few others to give some sense of the atmosphere that pervades a place such as OP Horea. Here is the face of an Iraqi jundi, brave and generous. The Marines, weary of MREs, look forward to their invitations to share home cooked meals on the first deck. A sergeant of the guard disolves in the dappled light under the mantle of camouflage netting. A belt of machine gun ammunition at the ready coiled and deadly. A view of Saddam Mosque as seen from a fighting position, and a devestated stretch of MSR Michigan lying between Government Center and OP Horea at twilight. In future postings you'll be presented with essays in the form of images to hopefully deepen an appreciation of the texture of life in this troubled city.
17 comments:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. For the tremendous risks, for the wonderful eye you have for these photos, but also, most importantly, for my Marine friend, who doesn't want to remember this city (he didn't take one photo the whole time he was there, even gave away a disposable camera I sent for his birthday)for I can know where he was through your pictures, and see things he might have seen, without bringing up bad memories for him. I am profoundly grateful, WO1 M D Fay, as I want very much to understand, but I don't want to cause any pain to those who've been there, by asking too much.
Once again, Mike, your watchful eye captures the soul of your subjects. The sad and sturdy face of the Jundi; the mosque and minaret are particularly thought-provoking. They appear to stand untouched by time or battle, so exquisite and so reverent. The mottled mosaic of the SOG - that beautiful light! (You know I like the textures). A great shot.
My admiration for you and your work just keeps growing. Continued good thoughts go out to you and your fellow Marines.
Carol
Awesome work Mike. Thanks for sharing.
like the others... I applaud your efforts as a member of our military as well as admire both your photographs and your other art. Keep on.
As a side note (as a photography hobbiest) what is your equipment of choice for the pictures? Just wondering how your able to get such sharp images under such difficult conditions.
Your photos have a serenity about them while the comments present a threatening and danger image. Wonderfully balanced by great humor. We here in the US owe you uniformed heros our support, loyalty, respect, admiration and our heartfelt thanks for the dangerous job you do. God bless our troops, our President and the good people of the U.S. of A.
Gwen Haas
Montana
Thank you for showing us more of the real Iraq, Michael. Your photography, artwork, and writing are stunning. Stay safe. You are all loved by many. Semper Fi!
Barb Meier
Springfield, VA
Thank you for sharing and God Bless!
Im an artist from atlanta, Love the work its awesome! Keep it Up. Im here to support you!
Thanks
Noodlehead
www.savethesoldiers.com
Incredible images.
Thank you for collecting a slice of the war to share with us at home.
Your talents are astounding! You have a rich future in the arts.
I hope you will consider publishing a book of your writings and photos in the future.
You bring the expereince of the solider .... the fear, danger, atmoshphere and mood ... to those of us who will NEVER know the depth of sacrifice a solider makes for his country. Thank you!
Stay safe!
Linda
Canada
Mike,
As always, the view through your eyes takes my breath away and gives me pause to consider more than just the "back and white" issues.
I am struck by the almost organic beauty of your photo Belt of Iraqi 7.62mm x 54R Machine Gun Ammo, it seems a metaphor for the Marines: Peaceful in it's natural state, ever ready to protect and defend, and deadly when necessary.
Sam
.
.
Beautiful work. Truly.
I had to take a moment to thank you for your efforts and to say that I look forward to your future pieces.
- K.G.
Hooaahh ! Take care, troop.
Come back alive.
Michael, all I can say is...
Semper Fi, carry on.
Hello. My son is in Germany, and on his way to Ramadi, Iraq shortly. I did a search under this name so I could see how the city looks. Thanks for the images, and I hope you can post more.-a concerned mom named Melanie
Just happened across you site while searching for the latest happenings in Ramadi. My son (USMC 3/8) has been there about 6 weeks. Nice work.
Post a Comment