Over the holiday season I began to think how I wanted my photography talent to be more than just a job, I wanted my photography to actually make a difference and be something of meaning. I wanted my photos to be more than just pictures I wanted them to reflect the story of the person behind the picture.
To my surprise I was contacted by a young lady who is serving in our Armed Forces. She was in town visiting her family, and wanted to see if we could sit to talk and maybe take some Photos. I was ecstatic to hear that one of our soldiers liked my work. So on January 1st we hooked up and talked for a while, I took out my gear set everything up and started shooting some photos. As the conversation progressed, I started to realize how much she loved her country and what she did.
“Why did you join?”
“Why did I join???... I had been considering joining after high school but didn't have that push to do it. When I got to college I bumped into a recruiter who gave me some brochures and time to think. A few months later I found myself in a tight spot and had to leave home and school.. I met up with the recruiter who gave me the opportunity to start fresh.
“So when did you leave to the Army?”
In April 2009 I was shipped out to Fort Leopardwood, Missouri where I received basic and specialty training to become a military police offer. I graduated September of that year and deployed.
“Did you see any combat or active time in the military?
“Well I was in Iraq for 7 months. While in Iraq, I served as an M240b machine gunner at Diwaniyah Iraq. That’s the name of the city our forward operating base was located. We were outside the wire almost every day. (Outside the base)
“Did you ever get scared or were in any danger?”
“Well night missions weren't so bad, but I would freeze up in that turret because it got so cold at night and during the day I would roast in the sun in full battle gear as temperatures reached up to about 130 degrees. But the most dangerous was IED's (improvised explosive devices) and small arms fire was our biggest threat and fear of sniper fire. Fortunately we didn't lose any soldiers any time we engaged the enemy. But the threat was always out there. We constantly received indirect fire from incoming mortars just outside out of our forward operating base. In any case, as scary as it may have been at times, it was an incredible experience.
“Why was it and incredible experience? If it was me I would have wished I wasn't there.”
“Well at first it was like that but I really liked the people in Iraq and the Culture. I enjoyed the authentic Iraqi food, chai tea; I got to swim in Saddam Hussiens pool in his palace (Freedom Rest) and visited the ancient Babylonian ruins in Nefer. But the most important thing was the friends I made. These are bonds that will last a lifetime. That’s something you won’t get just anywhere. The bond we had was so strong they we were willing to give our life to protect our combat brothers and sisters no matter the odds of battle. You have to understand these are people I barely knew each other.
“The army has become my family. My home away from home.”
I am proud to be a part of this country and to be able to tell the story of Soldier Morales, who daily protects our freedom and allows me to do what I am doing now.