ENTRY DESCRIPTION
The National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas conducts reenactments of battles that U.S. forces conducted at Japanese military encampments. Retired military officers and soldiers as well as educators bring the battle to visitors along with the history that brought us the second World War. The lesson purported is not to embrace and sensationalize war but rather explain why the Japanese and the American forces came to fight in such horrific battles.

One of the proctors of the lesson (pictured center-bottom frame with a rifle aimed toward a hideout), a decorated career veteran shared with the audience that upon the first step onto the battlefield, "all humanity is lost." This scene ended the demonstration, and a quiet fell on the audience as they realized the devastation to human life and the mental anguish that many soldiers face in the wake of battles like these. The veterans who participate have amazing stories to tell about their own experiences and the struggles to overcome their responsibility in taking lives upon orders from military leaders. Several veterans of WWII were in the audience that day and it was obvious that their scars have not fully healed.

Frederic Clemson Howe put it best, "War demands sacrifice of the people. It gives only suffering in return."

The man firing the flamethrower is a veteran of the U.S.-Afghanistan engagement. He was stationed a detention center and shared that even in that environment, both U.S. soldiers and detainees fought among their friends and comrades because of the emotional turmoil of war. The soldier he portrays in this demonstration told him that distancing himself from the victims of this weapon only lasted as long as the fuel dispensed. Following that, he broke down.

AUTHOR
I am a avid amateur photographer finding my passion in capturing performances both musical and theater. I work diligently on capturing the raw emotion of the subject while being true to their personality. My favorite captures are those that within a split second are gone, and perhaps nobody caught the fleeting intimate moment.

My hope is to grow my experience and get more involved in photojournalism. My primary job is in an office, and my photography takes third place to my family and my regular work.

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