by Speedy - Support Veterans
Member since:
May 8, 2007

This Is Our War - Win a Free Copy - Day 4

November 01, 2007 05:23 PM EDT (Updated: November 01, 2007 05:33 PM EDT)
views: 83 | rating: 9.6/10 (24 votes) | comments: 34

The book This Is Our War: A Soldiers' Portfolio: Servicemen's Photographs of Life in Iraq presents 256 photos that GQ collected from American servicemen and women, in order to tell the story of America's Iraq experience with their pictures in their own voices. This is a candid soldier's-eye view of war. It's the conflict the way they see it: apolitically, intimately, with honesty and humor and courage. This is a snapshot of history in the making.

Through Veterans Day, ten articles will be posted to veterans.gather.com, each with a picture from the book included. Gather will randomly select one member from each of these articles to receive a copy of This Is Our War. All you have to do is show your support for our soldiers by leaving a comment for the picture posted.

 

Photo taken by First Sergeant William Langley, U.S. Army

Near Balad

Father and son Rodney and Christopher Campbell of Harrison, Arkansas, came to Iraq with different units but were sent to the same base, LSA Anaconda near Balad. Here, the two pose for a photo at a mess hall table. Tragically, Christopher was killed by a drunk driver. You can read more about this father and son's story in This is Our War. Photo contributed by Larry E. LaRoe.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d557/d445/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

Excerpted from THIS IS OUR WAR (Artisan Books) Copyright by The Conde Nast  Publications, Inc.  Photograph copyright William Langley.

 

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Comments: 34

paul w. Nov 1, 2007, 5:42pm EDT
Was the drunk driver incident at home, or in Iraq?

I think it is quite moving to see the concept of service to our country passed down from generation to generation. (I don't know if Christopher had children yet.) My thoughts and prayers go out to Rodney and for the rest of Christopher's family.

By the way, I think this 10-day series is a great way to remind us of the reason for Veterans' Day.
Connie C. Nov 1, 2007, 5:43pm EDT
What a terrible thing to have happen. I guess we can die anywhere and at anytime, it does not have to be in another country at war.
Denise B. Nov 1, 2007, 5:44pm EDT
how terrible and tragic
Rick Hassett Nov 1, 2007, 5:46pm EDT
A serious tragedy. Probably many more similar that we haven't heard about.
Rick Hassett (SSG, US Army, Vietnam)
Rita j. Nov 1, 2007, 5:47pm EDT
SAD
Dee - Nature Babe! Nov 1, 2007, 6:03pm EDT
That is sad! To serve together would have been sweet yet scary. and to think that he came home and did not make it. Just heartbreaking.
Karen L. Nov 1, 2007, 6:21pm EDT
On the news today, they are reporting that the State Department is having to threaten their employees with firing if they will not serve a one year term in Iraq. One of the employees cried foul, saying that getting sent to Iraq is like a death sentance. Who will raise my children, he wanted to know. How sad, have these State Department people no shame. Our men and women in the service are dying every day, leaving children with but one parent to raise them, yet many have done three or more tours over there without a whimper. This father and son served together proudly. The ironic tragedy is the son was killed here at home. We don't know when or where we are going to die, so we must do our duty and leave the rest in God's hands. Be ashamed State Department people, be very ashamed.
Michelle W. Nov 1, 2007, 6:28pm EDT
That is such a sad story. You go to war, become a hero only to be killed by a drunk driver. As one who once lived for a short period of time in Harrison, AR, I can tell you this was not just a tragedy for the family, but the whole town.
Susan *. Nov 1, 2007, 6:28pm EDT
this sounds like a wonderful book. I am definitely going to put this on the list of gifts for the men in my family. My father is a WWII vet and I think he will really appreciate the book and all the work and patriotism behind it! God Bless!
Diana Raabe Nov 1, 2007, 7:13pm EDT
Thanks for the excerpt. The book was such a great idea.
paul w. Nov 1, 2007, 7:14pm EDT
Thanks, Chive, for doing that research!
Lu J. Nov 1, 2007, 7:27pm EDT
What a tragic story about two family member's who served our country only for one of them to die needlessly at the hands of a drunk driver. God Bless the dad who has lost his son and God Bless the family for having served us and our country.
Kim C. Nov 1, 2007, 7:28pm EDT
How tragic. God bless all our soldiers and their families.
Kim
donna f. Nov 1, 2007, 7:41pm EDT
How incredibly sad. My heart goes out to Christopher's parents, especially his Mother. Losing a son has to be one of the worst things that can happen to a mother, specially if his father was still overseas. I can feel her devestation wondering just whom those officers at the door were there to tell her about.
Bob B. Nov 1, 2007, 8:19pm EDT
It's a hard to believe this young soldier survived fighting for our freedom and was killed by a thoughtless drunk.
Norma S. Nov 1, 2007, 8:53pm EDT
They say truth is stranger than fiction....this is just tragic
Norma S. Nov 1, 2007, 9:09pm EDT
Did you all know that the State Department people are so much better than my children, my husband and allyour relatives that have to serve in the Gulf war? Didn't seem to matter when it wasn't their butts on the line!Who will raise their kids? I figure
if they refuse, they should be let go and lose all benefits, unless they are over 50 or so.
I don't know who told them they were special that way!
ELLEN B. Nov 1, 2007, 9:18pm EDT
How very sad to see the joy they found in each other on their faces in this picture, I can grieve with the family for such a loss. We all admire our Military so much, and the unfairness of it all just never feels right for those who give so much. So many wonderful young and glorius personalities, gone, and this young man, who did his duty, had to lose his life to someone so irresponsible here at home. My heart goes out to the family, and again, saying "Thank You For Serving", seems so inadequate, but it is all I can do. God Bless This Family, and All Who Protect Us, and DO THE JOB. Ellen B
ELLEN B. Nov 1, 2007, 9:20pm EDT
Thanks for the info Spartan, I cannot wait. I hope I am not working, that is all I have been doing lately. But this is important, and maybe I can get home early. Ellen B
jessie voigts Nov 1, 2007, 10:23pm EDT
what a great shot, that smile. that is so sad, abt the drunk driver. too tragic.
Elizabeth B. Nov 1, 2007, 11:19pm EDT
Such a sad story, at least Father and son had a chance to serve together and have their picture taken together.
Being an Army wife and American citizen, it hurts me so much to hear of each death of a service member...whether across the world or here at home. They are all heroes in my eyes, no matter where they are.
Cheri Cabot Nov 2, 2007, 12:28am EDT
the look on the father's face says it all
Kathy W. Nov 2, 2007, 1:04am EDT
What a grin he had on his face that day! The world loses another possibility, another son, another promise.
Damn this war. (Uncensored!)
My heart goes out to the mother AND the father. Imagine being in Iraq and getting that news. Holy $...
I am so proud of the Americans (and others) who are doing their duty. I hate that they are over there, however. Because, I think, that I am not certain-sure just why they are there.

I'm with K Anne...can you give us opportunities to help, as with the library. I have books (tons of them) and boxes and a post office...and would love to help in whatever way that I can, I guess I need someone who can tell me how we can actually help.

Wilka
Member Photog Nov 2, 2007, 3:21am EDT
Beautiful Father n' son cherished moment and tragic loss of life....my heart goes out to his family,colleagues and friends.....

inspired book idea to see history thru their eyes and daily experiences....

regards,gayle
Susan *. Nov 2, 2007, 8:25am EDT
this really does seem like it would be great book! I"m anxious to check it out!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
J. G. Weddle Nov 2, 2007, 9:12am EDT
Sad to hear of any loss of a Veteran. The book sounds like an excellent one.
DiAnA D. Nov 2, 2007, 10:18am EDT
How sad. You can see the love between them. I'm glad they got to share time together. God Bless
Anne M. Nov 2, 2007, 11:14am EDT
To have survived the war only to be killed by a drunken driver - a traversity

I'm just grateful that he and his Dad were able to spend time together before his tragic death.

I wish he knew that I supported both him and his Dad. I believe in the Mission and ALL OF OUR TROOPS.

My deepest Condolences to Rodney and his wife.
Chasity B. Nov 2, 2007, 12:02pm EDT
This picture says it all. I think it was good for them to be stationed together, but the ending is very sad. I feel for the family and I will keep them in my prayers. May God Bless Them.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Nov 2, 2007, 6:55pm EDT
So many families seem to be 'military' families. Four of five brothers to my grandmother were killed in combat. My father, brother and sister are veterans. The sole survivor of my grandmother's siblings was 120% disabled after stepping on a bouncing betty in the battle of Argonne Woods after having survived D-Day. His brother was shot in Holland during the D-Day invasion as a paratrooper having been caught in a tree. Another was killed in Korea. With one leg missing, my Uncle Doyle still started his own business and became wealthy. Proudly, I am named after this Uncle. God grant these sacrifices are being used wisely by our government!

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Veronique AKA Zoe Nov 2, 2007, 9:19pm EDT
How neat that they ended up at the same base, yet how terrible sad to have survived Iraq only to end up being killed by a drunk driver.

This book is a great tribute to our soldiers!
Karolyn Q. Nov 8, 2007, 6:53am EST
Very sad.

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