Flagged: The New Iraq's First American Tourist

A collection of shots from a few days ago. When I get back to Camp Echo unintentional themes surface when I sit at my computer and review the contents of my camera. In this case flags, Iraqi and US. This first one, on a wall within the walls of another central south eastern IP station, is a sub-artistic depiction of this country's recent maladjustments to huge and hasty change.

Recently I started a Facebook account and mentioned that I felt like a tourist at times amidst a discussion with other soldiers on how hard or easy it is to be deployed in Iraq at this point in time. It's true, I had more difficult times in my life for various reasons as a civilian in the states. As well, I know '04 thru '07 was a near constant Hell for coalition soldiers deployed here, but I understand the pain of separation from loved ones, and the anxiety of boredom that these young soldiers deal with daily. Being older and having developed ways to cope with such things as a civilian, I hope I can as a soldier and a medic, help other soldiers do the same here and now.

In this photo, IPs load up for a patrol, share water in the heat, and wait within walls for another policeman to open the gate. Taken while we waited in our trucks.

An Iraqi Army gunner's post near dusk at a check point in Diwaniya. The spring season heats into summer and the violence level in Iraq follows the same pattern, heating up in varying degrees of bloodshed each year. IPs and IA are currently the most common targets outside tribal clashes.

The American flag and soldiers, focused and imposed on the setting, as a woman visits the police station.

Another shot from the ride home. I never know how shots are gonna take. The weighty armored truck jack hammers the mixed terrain surface of rural roads at high speed and I delete two thirds of what I take right after I get it. Often I get frustrated with missing the fly-by sights just out of frame and ready for the next chance. I could for moments at a time forget that I'm an army medic "...just waiting for the worst day of a soldier's life..." as I recall a sergeant saying to me one morning before mission. But I never forget this. I just keep myself occupied in the meantime pretending to be the new Iraq's first American tourist, embedded with the troops.

Another shot of our flag with the blurred faceless IP, not unlike the policemen that become daily statistics and world headlines.

These workers in a garden grove, just off the road, taking a break in the shade.

He almost blends into the background against the t-walls with the truck, naturally. Almost invisible at first glance.