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Dear Readers of “Digital Diary: Witnessing the War”:
I have just finished reading the many emails sent to PixelPress about
the "Witnessing the War" project (see below). Most readers
offered thanks for the detail I gave in my dispatches. My descriptions,
these folks wrote, gave them a sense of how the Marines live from
day to day in Iraq, and provided a connection to them. I am happy
that I served as such a link.
Many of you have boyfriends, husbands, or children serving in Iraq
with the 24th MEU. Ken Evans's son is serving there, he wrote. So
is Michelle Euler's husband, Michael, who I wrote about. And so is
Tim Reilly's son, Shaun. I watched the young Reilly treat a sick Iraqi
woman with the same intensity and concern he lavished on injured Marines.
It was a humbling and essential moment.
In his email, Brian Smith, father of Corpsman Kyle Smith, comments
about another PixelPress feature, "Photography's 'Amateur Hour,'"
which features photos of caskets bearing American servicemembers.
I must respond to his email, because I respectfully -- but vigorously
-- disagree with him.
The publication of photographs of flag-draped coffins shipped disturbs
Mr. Smith. Death is always a private matter, he asserts. "To
those who feel the photos should be released I ask, is there a difference
between that and someone showing up at the morgue or private funeral
service of your loved with a camera without your permission,"
Mr. Smith writes.
There is a profound difference. Sneaking into a funeral home and photographing
during a private service is wrong; it is simply not the same thing
as documenting the return of caskets of servicemembers. Our government
dispatches servicemen and women; they are deployed to fight, and possibly
die, in our name. That means all Americans bear responsibility for
how the armed forces perform abroad -- and for what happens to these
men and women as they serve on our behalf. In less lofty terms, the
US military is a public institution, as my photo collaborator Christopher
Smith reminds me, over which the public, us, must exercise oversight.
It's my view that media, as servants and beneficiaries of democracy,
must report the good things and the bad things that happen in war,
death among them, so that citizens can assess its very real costs
and benefits. Servicemembers and their families pay higher and more
immediate costs of war, but we all bear the responsibilities and consequences
of military action as a nation. We as citizens -- and journalists
-- can't just show up for the welcome-home parades. We have to be
present at the funerals, too
I hope to return to Iraq this winter to continue my reporting. Chris
Smith, with some assistance from me, will continue to document the
homefront. You'll see the fruits of his labor on the website in the
coming weeks.
Brian Palmer
Brooklyn, NY
September 7, 2004
-------------------------------------------------------
READERS’ RESPONSES TO “DIGITAL
DIARY: WITNESSING THE WAR”
Dear Mr. Palmer,
I just wanted to tell you thank you so much for letting me see into
what is happening while my husband is there. He is with the 24 MEU
and very proud. I loved reading all of the stories and hope that there
will be more. I just wish now a days that the people who are complaining
about this war and our troops would read your articles and see what
the military and their family deals with while they are deployed.
Me and my husband have been married for 4 years now and this is our
first deployment. We have 3 beautiful kids and just had our 3rd a
month before he left. My husband has missed out on alot being in Iraq.
But he chose his job and loves it and is very proud to be doing the
work that he is doing. And for someone (especially someone running
for president) to make it seem that my husband job is pointless and
that he is putting his life on the line for a wrong war, makes me
think about all that my husband is going through right now and it
really makes me mad. Is there anyway that you would do a story about
that? Again though, I would like to thank you for you putting your
life on the line to put this story out. I was so funny to see you
walking up with all of your equipment to leave with my husband and
the rest of the 24 MEU that left in July. And to imagine that you
hauled all of that around with you.
A 24 MEU proud wife of Sgt. Black, Mandy Black
Camp Lejune, North Carolina
-------------------------------------------------------
i found this extremely interesting; will Brian and Chris be continuing
their story and pictures on the 24 MEU in Iraq ??? Great job, thank
you from a grateful Vietnam vet (father) of son who is with the company
of Marines you reported. Also I commend you on your bravery, and putting
your life on the line to get this story out. God bless both of you
guys...
Respectfully,
Ken Evans
* Please see Brian’s response above.
The Editors
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I saw the article, “Digital Diary Witnessing the War,” last
week and was hoping to see it again. Is there any way I can get a
copy of it. My daughter's boyfriend was with that unit and she did
not get an opportunity to see the diary. Unfortunately he was the
young Marine who was mentioned in the 6th week because he was killed.
We would be VERY interested in having a copy of the full six weeks
if at all possible. The article was outstanding by the way and you
now have an avid reader of your site. Keep up the good work! Thank
You.
Sincerely,
Vicki Saunders
* There was a technical glitch. All excerpts
are now viewable and will remain online for the indefinite future.
We are so sorry for your loss.
The Editors
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
As I read your articles and looked at your photographs, I could not
help but become emotionally overwhelmed at the content and the way
several sections linked with one another in my mind.
My son is HN Kyle M. Smith, a corpsman with the 24th MEU in Iskandariyah.
Your story helped bring home the realities of war and the very center
of the conflict my son is now in. The web-site run by the 24th is
very helpful in keeping loved ones updated with stories and pictures
from the front but you added an in-depth reality to the situation.
Family members today have a huge advantage over say, our parents in
Vietnam and Korea and our Grandparents in WWII, with the Internet
in keeping in touch with those overseas. Then again, it can remind
us all to often of our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers or
mothers being in harm’s way.
I started from your home page in the photo section of 9/11. In April
of 1999, my son, daughter and I had, what turned out to be, the extreme
privledge of going to the top of the Towers when on vacation in New
York from our home in California. It was the horror my son experienced
of those Towers collapsing just two-and-a-half years later that helped
him in making a decision to join the Navy in service of his country.
I never swayed his decision one way or the other, just that he take
his time and make sure of his decision. Six months after High School
graduation, he enlisted. He has volunteered each step of the way,
leading him to his current situation. Thank you for bringing him closer
to home. (He, by the way, does not believe in a Saddam-9/11 connection).
My final visit was to your "Photography's Amateur Hour".
The debate over showing photographs or film of the coffins going to
or arriving at Dover has irritated me as a freedom of the press or
freedom of information argument. If this were my son or daughter,
there is no way I would want the likes of a propagandist like Michael
Moore using them to bash an ideology or politician, nor would I want
Sean Hannity to use it as an opportunity to wave the flag by saying
they were heroes who died for their country. The death of a son, brother,
father, daughter or any other direct family member is a personal thing
that should be kept out of the public mainstream. The statistics say
enough, the battle field photos tell the gruesome stories. To those
who feel the photos should be released I ask, is there a difference
between that and someone showing up at the morgue or private funeral
service of your loved one with a camera without your permission? We
should never propagate the personal loss of the families of our loved
ones.
Thank You,
Brian Smith
-------------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for Brian Palmer's series, "Witnessing the
War". It brought my son closer to home. God Bless all responsible
for giving us at home a chance to understand.
Cathy
-------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
I am the parent of a Navy Corpsman who is serving with the 24 MEU
in Iskandariyah, Iraq. It is my understanding that while he was with
the unit Mr. Palmer took some pictures of my son, Shaun Reilly, while
he was treating an Iraqi woman for a heart ailment and also interacting
with her family. My son is assigned with the Battalion Landing Team,
Charlie Company.
If possible could Mr. Palmer send or e-mail these pictures to us.
Communication with Shaun has been few and far between. I realise Mr.
Palmer cannot publish every picture he took but if he still has it
and can send it along it would be appreciated.
Thank you for your assistance,
Tim Reilly
Schenectady, New York
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Palmer,
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your up-close
and sensitive reporting of the 24th MEU. Our son is a corporal in
the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Kalsu, and your digital diary
has given us a weekly view of pictures and information about the area
where our son is located.
We looked forward to each of your weekly updates, and are sorry that
they will not continue. We do realize, however, that your interests
and responsibilities must take you elsewhere. Although, we do not
feel you will find the patriotism and fervour at any political convention
that compares to that of our servicemen and women overseas.
Please accept our thanks for the insights and comfort your digital
diary has given us. You are to be commended for your perceptive
writing ability, and for the sacrifices you made to keep us connected
to the daily lives of our Marines of the 24th MEU.
sincerely,
Robert and Patricia Evans
Linden, New Jersey
-------------------------------------------------------
Well I am a bit disappointed to find out that the digital diary is
discontinued but I am grateful for the time that it was posted. For
a short time in a weird way it allowed me to feel close to my two
sons. I finally received a letter from them and at least I know that
as of today they are still alive. Thank you so much for all your sacrifice
out there. I know it was a big sacrifice to have to be out there to
help us family members have some sort of comfort. Thank you.
Rita Hurtado
Wyoming
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello. My name is Heather and I just wanted to tell you how appreciative
I am for this digital diary. Brian Palmer was with my husband's unit,
and I'm really glad for this opportunity to read about the operations,
living conditions and morale of the men with him. The information
and pictures given were well written, and very interesting. Also,
there was a page written in his diary that included my husband’s
name, SSGT. Edward Palacios from San Antonio, TX, about a raid that
he led, and I'm not able to find it now. My husband really would have
liked a copy of that page, and so I'm also writing to request a copy
of it, if possible. You're welcome to email me back at this address.
Thank you so much for your time and for sharing with the world what
these hard-working, dedicated Marines go through for their country.
*
All screens of Brian Palmer’s Digital Diary remain online.
Go to http:www.pixelpress.org and click on “Previous Stories.”
The Editors
-------------------------------------------------------
Thank you very much for the Digital Diary. Brian Palmer and the
other photographer did a wonderful job following the 24th MEU. I
only wish they could stay with them longer!!! As, you can probably
tell, I am a wife of one of the marines with the MEU. (In fact,
my husband was quoted on the site.) Please let Mr. Palmer know how
much I appreciate what he did. It helped me stay "in contact"
with my husband when communication was non existent. If there are
any pictures that were not used of him that could be e-mailed to
me please do so. Thank you!
Michelle Euler
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr..Brian Palmer,
I would like to thank you for your story on the 24MEU..It was kind
of emotional reading it and looking at the pic's. I have several
friends that are there with the MEU. I was lucky enough to get to
spend time with them out in CA,but it was sad letting go the day
before they really left the state. I learned that 4th of July what
being American really meant, and not to take anything for granted...
Here is a pic's of the 3 of them (from left to right) LnCpl Gene
McCollum,LnCpl James Fairbanks,LnCpl Damitriy Chumachenro.
Thanks again for a great job you did on them ,they‘re hella
good guys...
God Bless,
Theressa K
Pennsylvania
-------------------------------------------------------
I just finished the final week of Brian Palmers "Digital Diary:
Witnessing the War." I would like to thank Mr. Palmer and PixelPress
for giving America a view of the military in Iraq. As a mother of
a son that is in Camp Iskandariyah ["young lieutenant"
week 4] I now have a clearer picture of what the military and my
son are up against. May the Lord bless all those serving in Iraq
and bring them home safe. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Helen Richardson
Tulare, CA
-------------------------------------------------------
There haven’t been any new entries for a few weeks – is
that ok? I just wondered because I want to make sure that I am not
doing something wrong. I have two sons in Iraq with the 24th MEU/1-2
USMC/Alpha Co. this is my only way to keep some kind of track of
them. I was just wondering if the site was still in operation. Please
advise
Thank you and God Bless you, yours and all your efforts
Rita Hurtado
Wyoming
* We had some technical difficulties.
The Editors
-------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Palmer
Hello,my name is Jenna Fortman my husband is in the 24th MEU. He
is in the CEB battalion. My husband and I were married in Pamona
California on July 4th of this year...the day before he was deployed
to Iraq. I truly enjoyed reading your account of the war. It's nice
to have an inside look on how conditions are over there. On the
other hand, I'm having trouble coping with the undying fear of not
knowing how he's holding up. His letters are somber and outlooking
towards the future. Sorry, I'm starting to ramble, anyways... I
was just wondering how the morale of the troops is holding up so
far. I would also like to thank you for in a way bringing me a little
closer to my husband. I have read all of your accounts so far and
I will keep reading them every week. Tell the boys we are still
thinking of them and they will be home soon. If you happen to run
into Lcpl Frank Fortman Jr. Tell him that his wife says hurry up
and come home for goodness sakes!!!
Sincerely,
Semper Fi
Mrs. Jenna Fortman
-------------------------------------------------------
I feel you are doing a amazing job with the site and i hope you
are able to contine doing what you are doing. I would also like
for you to give my brother H.N. Shaun Reilly my best and god bless
you all. I am truly proud to be an American.
Derek Reilly
-------------------------------------------------------
Hi,
My fiance is with the 24th MEU so I like getting any and all the
information I can about how they are doing, So I'd just like to
say thank you for having your web page! I really enjoy reading the
entries. Stay Safe,
~Katie~ Semper Fi!
-------------------------------------------------------
We so enjoy reading each update of your digital diary. Our son is
a corporal in the Marines and presently serving with the 24th MEU
at Camp Kalsu in Iraq.
Your diary provides us with much sought out information about where
our son is, and what his daily life is like. we look forward to
each update.
This morning i recognized that at the end of week four there is
the word "next" to be clicked. i expected to see week
five appear. That did not happen. The screen returns to page one
of week four.
Is the week five update online?
thank you,
p evans
* Should be working now.
The Editors
-------------------------------------------------------
To Brian Palmer~
I just wanted to thank you for the coverage of the 24th MEU.
Nicole Spaid
24th MEU ACE KVC"For of those to whom much is given, much is
required." ~JFK
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
I would just like to say what a great job I think Mr. Brian Palmer
is doing over in Iraq with the 24th MEU. and that his stories are
the best I have seen. I would also like to say that his sidekick
back here in the states Chris is also doing a outstanding job dealing
with the spouse side.
Very proud wife of Sgt Major John. F. Rethage
ACE SGTMAJOR- with the 24th MEU in station in Iraq.
-------------------------------------------------------
Brian,
I just want to thank you for all your good work on this diary. It
is really the most accurate and updated site I have found on the
24th MEU. My fiance is attatched in the AAV's and since they have
gotten to Kuwait almost a month ago there has only been a few bits
and pieces of information on the USMC official web site. I check
your site every week and appreciate all you do. It really helps
the families get by and keep them well informed and almost like
they hear from their love ones every week. Thank you so much. You
to have been placed in our thoughts and prayers of many.
-------------------------------------------------------
Excellent reportage and photos by Brian Palmer, eager for Week 5.
Carol Wald
Missoula, MT
-------------------------------------------------------
Just wanted to let you know, nice reporting. You have done a great
job of telling us about Marine life in Iraq. Thank You. My Son Michael
Euler is is in the 24MEB, the unit you are talking about. Keep up
the good work Guys. And we hope to see you all home soon.
Thank You
Mr. & Mrs. John E. Euler
Chicago Illinois
-------------------------------------------------------
I am sooo glad I found this site. I have two sons attached to the
1-2 Alph Co. Their names are LCPL Anthony DeLuna and LCPL Paul Hernandez
(he’s my nephew but I raised him). I have been sick for the
past few weeks and I can’t get any up-to-date info. I hope
this will help. If you happen to see my boys will you tell them
I love them and I am praying for their safe return.
Thanks again and may God Bless you
Rita Hurtado
Cheyenne, WY
-------------------------------------------------------
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
My husband is with the 24th MEU's Command Element in Iskandariyah,
FOB Chosin. I wait anxiously every week for your update to be posted,
desperately searching for a glimpse of him. He is an EOD technician,
so as I am sure you know, IEDs are his speciality. Your Digital
Diary means more to me and my two young boys than you will ever
know.
Thank you for all that you are doing.
Gina Canaday
No one can make you feel inferior but yourself. -Eleanor Roosevelt
-------------------------------------------------------
My son is in the 24th MEU. This is the best reporting I've found
on-line. Thanks for being there.
Laurel Kniskern
Marquette, Michigan
-------------------------------------------------------
Thanks so much. Finally got the 4th week up. Take care, and thank
Brian for doing this for us.
Pat Phillips
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Dear Brian Palmer,
I want to thank you for being with the 24th MEU. My husband is with
the MEU and it is so comforting to be able to read what they are
going through there. Sometimes it is hard to read about them getting
hit by mortars but at least I am able to somewhat know what is going
on there. I was so upset to hear that the MEU had lost a fellow
Marine (Vince Sullivan). I pray for his family as well as the guys
there who were close to him. Again, thank you for keeping us family
members back home who are worried updated on what are loved ones
are doing while away.
Sincerely,
Jaci Bryan
-------------------------------------------------------
Why hasn't Brian's digital diary been updated since 7/20/04. The
site says it will be updated weekly?
Suzanne Scavano
* Dear Suzanne,
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay in our posting
of Week 4 of Brian's digital diary. There was a delay because the
Authorities needed time to notify the families of those injured
and the family of The Marine that was killed before we made that
information public.
We do hope to post future updates on a more timely basis. Again,
we apologize for any inconvenience.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Warm regards,
The PixelPress Team
-------------------------------------------------------
HELLO,
I AM THE MOTHER OF LANCE CORPORAL, WILLIMAN, JASON H., BLT-1/2 H&S
COMPANY, MOTOR T., UNIT 73035FPO-AE09509-3035, FROM CAMP VIRGINIA.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL WEEK BY WEEK INFORMATION
THAT YOU ARE POSTING ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK
WITH MY SON (SO FAR) ON A WEEKLY BASIS, BUT OF COURSE DO NOT GET
THE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO SUPPLY PARENTS WITH. THE PICTURES
ARE ALSO GREAT TO LOOK AT, PUTTING A NAME WITH A FACE. IF YOU DO
COME ACROSS MY SON COULD YOU SAY A PERSONAL HELLO AND MAYBE PUBLISH
A PICTURE OF HIM WITH A FEW WORDS OF HIS WISDOM OF 22 YEARS.
MY QUESTION IS THIS; I AM GOING TO MAKE MY SON A SCRAP BOOK FROM
YOUR DIGITAL DIARY INFORMATION, COPYING IT EACH WEEK. IS THERE ANY
WAY YOU CAN SET UP THE PRINTED INFORMATION DIFFERENTLY, BECAUSE
AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW HALF OF THE INFORMATION GETS CUT OFF IN THE
PRINTING. I THEN HAVE BEEN COPYING THE FULL INFORMATION IN HANDWRITING
AND GOING BACK AND TYPING IT ALL OUT SO HE WILL KNOW FULL WELL OF
WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND PERHAPS
A REPLY.
GOD BLESS ALL OUR MEN AND WOMEN. KEEP THEM FROM HARM’S WAY.
SINCERELY,
LINDA WILLIMAN
* You can copy and paste the text into
a document.
The Editors
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Pixel Press,
I can not begin to thank you for your webpage. My boyfriend is over
there now, with the 24th MEU, and seeing where my love is and what
he is going through is priceless. You must get emails such as this
a lot, but if Brian Palmer could find or put in a picture of him
it would mean the world: Cpl Wenberg of the 1st battalion 2nd Marines.
Regardless, I appreciate the webpage, and find it the best kind
of journalism; the kind that leaves an impression.
Thank you.
Larissa Bulla
North Carolina
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Thank you for giving us a glimpse of the routine of the 24 MEU.
It helps knowing some of the "goings-on" there. My son,
now 27, has been a Marine since finishing high school. He has always
been closed-mouthed about his job, but he is still my baby - not
the stereotyped foul mouth killing machine Marine. Again, thank
you.
Gail Seus
Melbourne, Fl.
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We sincerely appreciate your "digital diary"!
Our son is with the 24th meu, and your "digital diary"
helps us to "see" what brian is going through.
Our thought and prayers are with all of you.
thank you,
the evans family
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Great site from Brian Palmer's website. We as Marine Mom's with
Son's over there look forward to visiting this website. Thanks so
much.
Sabra Nelson, very proud Marine Mom of Lcpl Justin Lee, 24th MEU.
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I was so happy to find out about your website, my husband is a corpsman
in the 24th MEU. It's so nice to be able to read up on them and
see how they're doing. Please take more pictures!
Thanks
Roxanne Vandecoevering
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Dear Brian,
Thank you for your work. My son is a Marine with the 24th MEU, HMM
263. He is a crew chief for a CH46. I relate to your words and your
perspective. It does the heart good to get news from the front that
are direct and not propagandistic about the war in Iraq. Your work
is very important to me. It gives me an idea of what it is like
to be there and it brings me closer to him. Hopefully, upon my son's
safe return, your work will help me relate to him and in doing so,
provide for him a more congruous return to sanity.
Be safe and, again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Maribel Piñas-Espigule
-------------------------------------------------------
As a mother I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have been
trying everything to get information on the 24th MEU. If you happen
to see a skinny boy by the name of Adam Sauerborn be sure to tell
him his MOM was asking about him.
I am proud to be An American because of what you guys are doing
!!
Thank you and watch you butts.
Beth Sauerborn
-------------------------------------------------------
This little peek into my son's life in Iraq is wonderful. We have
had e-mails from him but not as descriptive as Brian Palmer's. The
rest of the children at home are asking "what is Nathan up
to, does he have this, can he do this?" Now we all have a little
insight on his life away from us.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Please keep yourself safe.
Debbie Foesch
Garden City, NY
-------------------------------------------------------
Hey dude. Glad you’re covering my brother’s unit. At least
now I can hear first hand accounts on how they are doing. What is
it that you miss while you're there? I mean everyday things that
could be shipped there...not cars or AC.
Thanks,
Christian
-------------------------------------------------------
Jason is with you in Camp Virginia, Kuwait. We are very happy to
be able to follow your web page and reporting on the 24thMEU. Jason
is in a Motor-T unit driving a 7-ton armored plated truck headed
for Iraq. Jason is just married a month now. Jason graduated from
high school in june 2000. Jason is the baby in our family with big
brother Scott 40 and sister Jill 37, my wife of 41 years is taking
all this very,very hard. Jason's grandpa Earl Sr. was also a Marine
who enlisted in 1943 at the age of 27 to support his country in
the fight for freedom. Jason's grandpa would be so proud to know
his grandson is a Marine as he was. We spoke with Jason today Sat.
the 24th and he told us about your web site. He said you talked
to him and took some photos and his name, he was hoping you would
run a photo and a few words on the site and maybe even some on the
trip to Baghdad. We will be watching and hoping to see our son.
Thank You and take care and God's speed to you and your group. Jason
told us "I guess I'll be a real devil dog now dad" . I
told him how much we love him a all the prayers for him from so
many who care.
Thanks,
Earl&Linda Williman
the parents of Lance Corp. Jason Williman age 22
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
Could you please do some stories on the 263 thunderchicken who are
also attached to the 24th meu who have been there since june 9th
and we never see or here stories about the air combat part of the
meu.
thank you
proud wife
-------------------------------------------------------
I want to thank your for your thoughtful coverage and tell you first
hand that Lance Corporal Vincent Sullivan was a great kid. Vincent
was my nephew. He truly believed in what he was doing. He joined
the Marines because he thought they were the best. The men in his
unit became his family. While he was not extraordinary from any
of the other wonderful brave men and women who are risking their
lives to ensure a better life for those in Iraq, he was a hero to
his family. Vincent never did anything at half measure, never a
big kid, what he couldn't do with talent he made up with heart.
Thank you for writing what you did about him and the other brave
soldiers.
Deb Ryder
-------------------------------------------------------
* Responses have been lightly edited for
clarity.
The Editors
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