midwest thoughts

occasional musings from the heartland, removed from distractions like mountains, seacoasts, and any elevation of the land -- flat other than the several glacial ravines that run through the area.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Another War Casualty


Associated Press Photograph by Warren Zinn

Joseph Dwyer, an Army veteran who was photographed carrying a wounded Iraqi boy to safety from fighting in 2003, died June 28th of an apparent drug overdose. Dwyer enlisted after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. A member of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was among the first American units sent to Iraq, he saw constant action during his three-month deployment, and soon was showing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. His marriage collapsed, and there were occasional brushes with police. He’s another clear victim of this illegal war.

Warren Zinn, the Associated Press photographer who took the photo, records his reaction to learning of Dwyer’s death, and writes movingly of his contact with Dwyer over the years since the famous photo was taken.

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdopinion/2008/07/my_photograph_made_joseph_dwye.html