All in

The times, they are a changin'. Back then, we all pitched in.



Now the weight is firmly planted on the backs of our military and their families.

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all the Veterans, American and International, who took up the call when their country needed them. Thank you.

Sara Rahbar

I waited for you even in the darkest of days by Sara Rahbar presented by Hilger Contemporary at PULSE.

Penny Byrne

back on the chain gang. Penny Byrne

Here in the US, today is Memorial Day.

While many here will be excited about charcoal grills, clearance priced flip flops, and pool openings, today is actually about honoring those who died during their service in the US military.



Goodbye Vietnam by David Alan Sessions, who served in Vietnam from 1965-66.

Excerpts from Mr. Sessions letters, 1987, 1989, and 1993:

...Last week I saw the movie Platoon and couldn't breathe for a couple of days; it opened up that damned sadness that I think may never go away. I know now that my main reaction to Vietnam is to see its absolute absurdity. I shake my head in amazement at having emerged unscathed, and that we all are walking around, talking, laughing. When I get really morbid, I think: What if the artists had all died, and we didn't have any of their art or wisdom? But neither I nor they did.

Or maybe we did, and this is some weird purgatory.

...Still working on the same theme of Natural Disorder, which still seems to be how I see things. But I've always been cross-eyed....

I am an absolute believer in history. Art is a record: think of the art germinated from other wars (Mesopotamia to Korea), produced unsolicited, in reaction to the particular skirmish. The art that comes out of Vietnam is unique to that war; it was not produced by war illustrators, but by soldiers (and a nurse or two). We have acted upon that primal aesthetic urge to make visual commentary on an event (Vietnam and aftermath) that profoundly touched our bodies, hearts, spirits, souls—whatever it is that constitutes the Human Thing and causes it to make art.

Links:

National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum

Arlington National Cemetery

American Battle Monuments Commission

Today is Veteran's Day

A US mortar team in a foxhole during the Battle of the Bulge in the snowy St. Vith area.

Take a moment to thank a veteran today.

On an artistic note, I found this photo online, uncredited. It's a great image, not only for its subject matter but also it's composition, lighting and color. If there could be such a thing, this is a beautiful war photo.

On this Memorial Day...

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. - George Orwell

Thank you to all the men and women of the armed forces, who who stood ready and still stand today between us and those who would do us harm. Regardless of the politics of America's wars, our guys and gals deserve much appreciation and thanks. Please take some time this Memorial Day to do so.


Nose Art from the Wallaroo #42-3029, B-17F 359BS (BN-N) that flew 35 missions during WW2. It was declared MIA on Jan. 14th, 1944. Photographer unknown.

Nose Art, the morale building paintings found on various aircraft, began appearing during the WW1 era. With so much depending on having a well-run, efficient aircraft, crews began to personalize them. Nose Art reached a golden age during WW2, when pin ups and popular culture icons (Bugs Bunny, Felix the cat, etc.) were widely used.

For more information on Nose Art, visit Save the Girls, Wikipedia, Through our Parents Eyes, and the 303rd Bomb Group.

An image from Nina Berman's "Purple Hearts - Back from Iraq" series.

Stand Up

Five years ago today, the US invaded Iraq under the guise of President Bush's claims that the war would be quick and cheap. The White House estimated it would cost American taxpayers between 50 and 60 billion and last 90 days.

To date, we've spent more then 604 billion dollars with no end in sight. All of these funds have been spent in emergency spending bills and have not been included in the formal budget. As of today, 3,995 US soldiers have died. Over 12,000 have returned with permanent injuries. One in five returning soldiers have brain injuries. It has been estimated that 1/3 of all returning soldiers suffer some form of PTSD or mental trauma. Only the Lord knows how many Iraqi citizens have been killed or injured becuase we don't track this information. And during all this time the President has not called on America to do anything other then "go shopping".

Yesterday, Bush said that the war has been worth the "high cost in lives and treasure". Really. Pretty big talk from a guy who risked nothing except other people's lives and livelihoods. Big talk for the leader of a country that has allowed less then 1% of it's families to carry the burden. There are two Americas right now: one involved in a war, the other involved with American Idol, mortgage rates and hooker gossip.

Our soldiers need help. Do your part.

The Fisher House

Books for Soldiers

Operation Uplink

Army Emergency Relief Fund

Homes for Our Troops

Any Soldier


Locate your local Army National Guard unit and find out if you can help with anything. Locate a local VA hospital or retirement home and go help out. Raise funds through bake sales, races, block parties, etc. and donate to Fisher House. Foster a single soldier's pet while he/she is deployed. Offer to cut the grass, wash the cars, and/or run errands for a local Guard/Reservist family on a weekly basis. If you own a business, hire a vet.

Write to your elected officials...

www.congress.org

the White House

and let them know that vets deserve a fully funded Veteran's Administration. Tell them to stop screwing around with veteran's disability payments. Tell them that PTSD and other mental ailments need to be taken seriously.

It's long past time to share the load.