The Ultimate Sacrifice Photo Gallery by Tami at pbase.com

The Ultimate Sacrifice

This is dedicated to all of the soldiers who have died serving our country. You go into battle with fear of the unknown, overcome by a sense of duty, pride and bravery. We are blessed to have had you there to protect our way of life.

I personally know the fear and anxiety of having someone you love serve in hostile territories. You are on pins and needles until they are safely back in your arms. I have been fortunate to have several safe returns. Some families are not as lucky.

As I walked through boots I began to read the names on the tags......then it became to much for me. Knowing that so many young lives were cut short too soon bothered me immensely. However, the emotion I felt could not possibly compare to that felt by the families. My heart goes out to you.

No matter how we feel about war we must always remember the soldiers and their families, for they have made the ultimate sacrifice.

This was an exhibition in Chicago titled "Eyes Wide Open"
over 1000 boots were laid out to symbolize the American lives lost in the war.

Tami

You must be a Pbase subcriber to post comments to this gallery, or my mother.
I would like to thank everyone for their comments and votes.

The Last Roll Call

comment |

Guest		16-May-2006 03:38
I find this to be a wonderful gallery Tami. Descriptive and suggestive at the same time. Very nicely done. I also enjoyed reading all of the comments. Excellent discussions happening and I respect your decision not to edit them on at least one instance. I know it's tempting to do, but in the end I believe you were right. I'm personally sickened by any violence and truely believe that each and every one of us is responsible for the acts of the human race. Pointing fingers at others is childish and will lead us nowhere. To find truth...one must look inward. Understanding and awareness come from knowing ones inner self. If we could all stop analyzing each other...blaming each other...trying to understand each other in the context of what happened and what might happen... If we could stop and understand ourselves. Truely know ourselves. Then understanding and peace are possible. I would follow 'eye wide open' with 'eyes turned inward'. Now that would be something worth doing in the name of peace on Earth...

Rick		05-Aug-2005 19:16
Tami, Thanks for posting these images. I went when it was in Memphis. http://www.pbase.com/number10_11/eyes_wide_open Rick

11051912		20-Mar-2005 19:05
Hello Tami, I viewed the exhibit when it came through Tampa. I took my time and viewed every piece exhibited. I cried on my drive home. Of course the boots only tell of the sacrifice of the soldiers. The exhibit also included the sacrifice of the iraqi civilians. A very good gallery Tami. The only shot I missed seeing here is the one shot showing the boots in totality. A number may be more easily digested verses seeing boots spread over such a wide area? Thanks for the gallery.

Guest		29-Jan-2005 06:48
Sory, but you will have to photograh more boots for W.B. oil war.

Guest		20-Dec-2004 04:43
Good job Tami. Smart answer. Its funny how some people justify all of America's foreign policy and crime around the world because in 60 years ago, America went to Europe to fight Nazis. And by the way, it was the Russians who defeated Germany, not America or Europe. Russia lost 40 Million men. This is 2005, get current you silly Bush lovers. Can't you see this war criminal is destroying world stability and starting WWIII????? Thanks Tami and keep up the good work. Its a free country and you have exercised your right to free speech. Its really too bad these soldiers had to die for a lie. I hope their families can try to find peace.

Tami		14-Dec-2004 15:13
Gregg these are different times. A lot of Vietnam vets can't get over the support that the soliders get now because you did not receive it. When Vietnam was over the soldiers were spit on when they returned and yeah you should have an axe to grind about. But you have to move on. Most learned from that. Most people truly care about the soldiers and do not care for the war. Vietnam and Cambodia are over. Learn from those lessons and try to assist the current conflict. If you need to bring up issues that people are not speaking about bring up Rowanda or Haiti, stay current. Now it is over and out.

Greg Moss		14-Dec-2004 14:53
FYI: I am not a Bush supporter. I am a Vietnam Veteran who is very aware of the self-serving agenda of the so-called anti-war movement and those of their ilk. It sickens me. Over and out.

Tami		14-Dec-2004 14:09
Gregg I originally deleted your message because I get sick and tired of what most Bush supporters have to say. I put it back. I have removed the anti-Bush pictures from this gallery. I want you and people like you to focus on the soldiers. You all can't seem to see past the damn signs. Let me tell you what I can't see past. I can't see past the soldiers who have almost committed mutiny recently refusing to perform their duties because they do not feel they were adequately equipped to do the job (by their accounts they refused individually). I can't see past the soldier who made Rumsfield look like an idiot questioning the fact that his platoon is not adequately equipped to do their job. The fact that these men and women are sent out on foreign soil to protect our way of life and our government does not give them all they need to do this effectively should bring tears to your eyes. And all he could say is "you go to war with the army you have and not the army you want to have"?! This coming from one of the richest countries in the world?! The concerns of those soldiers should be yours so I won’t be able to take pictures of their boots and dog tags in the future. For the record there were family members of the deceased at the exhibition and the pictures were donated by the families.

Gregg Moss		14-Dec-2004 01:32
A contemptible exploitation of dead American soldiers to advance a political agenda, just so certain people can vent their hatred toward Bush. What kind of people have the insolence to disrespect the dead like this? They are the same self-righteous sort that protested the war in Vietnam but whose silence during and after the Marxist genocide in Cambodia spoke louder than anything they had ever said before. Had they been able to ask each dead soldier for his permission to display their boots and dogtags this way, I wonder how many would have consented? And how do the soldiers' families feel about their dead sons and daughters and brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts and fathers and mothers being used in such a way? Of course, the organizers don't give a rat's ass about these dead men, nor their families. That's the great irony of such an obscene political gesture. It makes you angry. It make you want to cry. Words cannot capture the utter shamelessness and heartlessness of what the camera's lens has captured on this page.

Guest		12-Nov-2004 20:41
Blu, do you think these Bush-Lovers actually care about going anywhere outside the US or their own state? This is all they know. They think that other nations live in caves and eat each other's babies. They actually believe that all the anti-American sentiment around the world is because the world is jealous of the US!!!! How pathetic. By the way I've been to Zurich numerous times (couldn't make it to the street parade :( )and I do believe it has the highest standard of living in the world. Great post Blu. I can tell you are very intelligent.

Guest		12-Nov-2004 16:46
Nice shots Tami and a good consistent gallery. My deepest condolences to those who have given their lives in a selfless effort to protect their country. But were they 'protecting' their country? Hmm.... thats a good question. I'm sure they thought they were, and therefore gave their lives for it. What a brave thing to do. But the government lied to them. I personally think those that dyed in Iraq (Americans and Iraqi civilians) died for a lie. They died for more oil for Bush, Ashcroft, Chenney, and the rest of those oil thirsty vampires. I AM NOT ANTI AMERICAN - I AM NOT ANTI CHRISTIAN VALUES - I AM NOT ANTI REPUBLICAN ........... I AM SIMPLY PRO TRUTH. Get that through your thick heads you Bush lovers. Open your eyes. Open your mind. You might be mistaken in your belief that Bush is saving the world from evil. And it would be nice if someone would put up a gallery of the thousands upon thousands of Iraqi civilians (mostly young children too naive to realize the dangers of falling bombs). This hatred between us has to stop. We need to have a consistent effort to both seek the truth and nothing else. I should have hatred in me but I don't. A million of my brothers and sisters died in an eight year war with Iraq. America supported Saddam for that whole war. Gave them weapons, chemicals, money, and intelligence. So I really should hate Americans for this. But I don't. I don't believe it was the American people's fault. It was their government and all the other governments involved. I hope Tamy allows everyone to read my message. Once again, great photography. Amir

SOULFUL IMPRESSIONS		01-Nov-2004 14:49
"I'd love to change the world, but i don't know what to do." ~ Alvin Lee

Kerry is Consistent		21-Oct-2004 20:38
I really can't see how any true Americans can vote for this scum. This quote is actually from April 17th of 1994 on CNN's Late Edition. This is back when Frank Sesno hosted the program. This is the third paragraph of the story in the Washington Post today by Helen Dewar and Thomas Ricks. KERRY: "It depends what you mean by that, Frank. If you mean dying in the course of the United Nations effort, yes, it is worth that. If you mean dying American troops unilaterally going in with some false presumption that we can affect the outcome, the answer is unequivocally no." (this is all about Bosnia when Clinton went in without the United Nations) So John Kerry thinks that American troops dying under the American flag is not justified, and is not worthwhile, but under the UN flag, then of course American deaths are justified. Kerry thinks that American deaths under the UN banner are permissible and honorable, American deaths under American flag only are not. This is the one place where his position does not change with the global test and wanting the UN to have veto powers over what we do. He wants us to be subordinates to the UN. He flip flops on everything else but the UN. He will consistently put the United Nations above the safety of our country.

Diane		07-Oct-2004 16:57
To all those who have made political comments about this gallery, and to those who are pro-Bush, pro-Kerry, anti-Bush, anti-Kerry, pro-war, anti-war, and pro-America (especially you), thank you for your comments, positive and negative. My generation faught hard and long for the right to vote and other rights granted to us by the Constitution of the United States of America, but denied us by various states and other entities. I am glad that my daughter's gallery engendered so much opinion; it has made you think. Be grateful you have the right and the opportunity to vote, and exercise that right. TAKE IT TO THE POLLS in November!!!!!!!! Mommie

blu		06-Oct-2004 23:24
I suppose you don't want the long version, then? LOL! I just like to give some facts and reasons to my statements - and this usually needs space :-)

Tami		06-Oct-2004 23:14
Uhhh, Blu that wasn't brief. LOL

blu		06-Oct-2004 21:07
misspelled a url below, correct:http://www.betavote.com

blu		06-Oct-2004 20:28
sorry, forgot one thing: John, you're right we (the rest of the world) have not only the interests of the US at heart, why should we? But the US's interest is also not identical in all cases with all others' needs. I know you only care for your own sake, but believe the world doesn't consists only of stars and stripes. And by bbeing ignorant and arrogant to ALL other countries interests you certainly don't act in YOUR interest neither - quite in contrary. Or do you really believe it's a good thing that all are against you?? We are not against Americans - we are against an administration which belives the world is foregarden of America and all who speak against any opinion of the US-Admin are evil, stupid or simply "anti-american". Ignorance is what made this world unsafe in the first place, not El-Quaida.

blu		06-Oct-2004 20:16
I know Tami this discussion wasn't your intention but please let me reply to John briefly: Well, John you are most probably right in stating that the living standards in the US are better then in most other country - and you should be proud for that and try anything to preserve it. but you have probably not travelled far enough since you have by far not the best standards at all (quote: "Your quality of life, happiness, employment, and freedom to do what you want when you want, be it succeed or fail will never be as good as it is here in the States" - NOT TRUE AT ALL). Best living standards according to the well-known consulting firm Mercer (an US-company btw!) can actually be found in Switzerland (and I'm happy about this). See:http://www.mercerhr.com/summary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1128760 Top cities to live in: Overall Quality of Life – Ranking, Top 10 1 ZURICH Switzerland 1 GENEVA Switzerland 3 VANCOUVER Canada 3 VIENNA Austria 5 AUCKLAND New Zealand 5 BERN Switzerland 5 COPENHAGEN Denmark 5 FRANKFURT Germany 5 SYDNEY Australia 10 AMSTERDAM The Netherlands 10 MUNICH Germany I quote from the report: "US cities have slipped in the rankings this year as tighter restrictions have been imposed on entry to the country. Increased security checks on arrivals and departures from the country can be very time-consuming for expatriates. Honolulu and San Francisco rank highest, both at position 24 (score 102). Among US cities included in the survey, Atlanta ranks lowest at position 66 (score 94.5)." So the best US city would by at rank 24, Switzerland with only 7 mio people have 3 cities under the top 5! hard to argue against, isn't it???? Overall quality in Western Europe overall at least at your level (yes, and we do have colour TV and fluent water as well...). Next point: Expats - Yes you probably have the biggest expat popoulation since the US is the biggest nation with considerable high per capita income - but relatively to its population it's very small. Switzerland has 7 mio people, whereof 25% (approx. 1.8 mio)are not Swiss nationals!!! So don't tell ME about expats! Yes, Americans don't want to go to live anywhere else. Two reasons: First only 16% of US citizens have a passport! Why? Because they cannot go on holidays since the normal lower/middle class American cannot afford it (eg. come to Europe), have no time (since you only got 2 weeks holiday per year / we have at least 5...) or simply you wouldn't know (or care) that it could be better anywhere else. And personal freedoms? Well, I only know one "democratic" country in the world were you can be held in custody WITHOUT the right of contacting a lawyer or a family member ONLY on suspicion of a crime - the US. I really couldn't care less for this freedom.... Many Europeans are actually FRIGHTEND to go to the US - not because of terrorism from Kaida but from your administration (we just had two German journalists being arrested with handcuves by mistake....). Bush has made the US insecure and it's going to be worse. But yes, go on and blame ALL others (a thing where Bush is REALLY good at) - I think it's a coincidence that ALL are against you - even your transatlantic friends. And it's only OUR fault, I'm sure you're right, you "know-it-all"... Get over it, whatever it is...

john		06-Oct-2004 16:34
Blu, Thank god only Americans can vote in our elections. Just the fact that the rest of the world would vote for Kerry is more than enough reason to re-elect President Bush. We know that the rest of the world does not have the best interest of the United States at heart. I have traveled the world over, and it is pathetic what I see everywhere except the US. Your quality of life, happiness, employment, and freedom to do what you want when you want, be it succeed or fail will never be as good as it is here in the States. I see millions of people wanting to emigrate to the US, but I don't see a whole lot of people wanting to leave the US for anywhere else. They complain about our country, but they all want our freedom and success.

blu		06-Oct-2004 16:09
Tami, you asked me personally whether we really fell so anti-Bush in Europe, well have look at a recent internet poll (www.betavote.org): If the world could vote the American president (results from Oct 6, 2004): - 87% (!) of all people in the world would vote for Kerry (incl. the US) - 95% of all French would vote Kerry - 94% of all Swiss would vote Kerry - 93% of all Germans would vote Kerry - 90% of all English would vote Kerry - 89% of all Canadians would vote Kerry - and so on and on Countries were Bush would win: Myanmar, Faroe Islands, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Libya, Congo, Niger. In ALL other countries Kerry would win. I whish you an interesting election. Best regards, Urs (belonging to the 94% in Switzerland)

Tami		06-Oct-2004 03:09
I never agreed with it Tracy.

Guest		06-Oct-2004 03:05
No, but to continue using your example, if you show a photo of a sign at the rally that makes a racial comment and it is obvious by the way it is presented and your subsequent comments you agree with it-then it makes it a political gallery.

Tami		05-Oct-2004 22:47
Tracy - We need to agree to dissagree. This could go on forever. You are not paying attention to what I am saying. One question, if I photograph a klan rally and post the pictures, remember I am black, does that make me a racist..... Tami

Guest		05-Oct-2004 17:25
Tami I can understand how someone who has lost a loved one could blame Bush in a momment of grief. And I understand what it is like to have a relative over there-my nephew just returned from a tour in Fallujah and may have to go back. My original point is that although you effectively present this as a tribute gallery, it is a political gallery that includes political statements. I satnd by that. I am not doubting your patroitism or sincerity.

Tami		05-Oct-2004 16:13
I thought you did not want to debate. Being anti-war is largely because of the 1000 dead. It is still not "cool" we are not anti-war because it is popular. We are anti-war because we care about American lives. Again I do not feel like Bush is a Barbarian or should be impeached. Those are not my opinions. You are pro-Bush so you would censor the event not to include those pictures. That is wrong. I could not balance it because there was nothing to balance I recorded the event as it was. Face it Bush has a 50% popularity right now. Therefore we will see a lot of anti-war/bush signs. Instead of arguing with me try to understand how someone who does not have their loved one to hold would not like Bush.

Guest		05-Oct-2004 15:14
Tami Sorry, but when you include people holding signs that say "Bush the Barbarian" it becomes a political gallery. You are the photographer and you choose what you want to add to the gallery. And you find these Bush-bashers with no balance compelling. Now, you can argue that you are just recording their opinion, but in this case we know it is your opinion too. Also, I did not say that 1000 Americans dead was cool. I said it was cool to be anti-war.

Tami		05-Oct-2004 11:54
Sorry you feel that way Tom. I can't win them all. Tami

Tami		05-Oct-2004 11:53
Thank you very much Blu.

tom		05-Oct-2004 11:48
Putting aside all of the asinine political debate, I am surprised that no one has actually commented on the technical quality of the photography, which IMHO is really not all that great. A lot of mediocre pictures without a lot of creativity. A good idea for a gallery that was not quite executed in a creative way. A lot of snapshots that really do not convey any emotion. If not for the inclusion of the political statement pictures this gallery would have gone largely unnoticed.

blu		05-Oct-2004 10:42
Tracy: Just a small comment why the overwhelming majority is anti-Bush at pbase although you say it's pretty 50-50 in the US. The thing is: Pbase has not only US members!! And outside the US the ratio will be anything else then 50-50, believe me... Tami: At least you've getting a LOT of recognition for your nice work and I hope others go and see your other stuff as well - it's worth the time!

Tami		05-Oct-2004 05:08
I don't jump on bandwagons. What the hell is "cool" about 1000+ dead Americans. The Bush-bashing were the sentiments of the people there. I can't add something to the gallery that did not exist. I did not make it a political statement, you perceived it as one. I documented an event and added my sympathy to the families. I don't feel that Bush should be impeached or consider him a barbarian. If a Bush supporters can not stand amongst families that have lost there loved ones due to this war, that is a sad commentary. Tami

Guest		05-Oct-2004 03:25
Tami I really don't want to debate. I am just pointing out that you make a nice statement about the gallery that suggests it is a tribute although you do not use that specific word. Then you add the anti-Bush people with no balance. You state that no one was around supporting Bush. I don't doubt that since you say people who have lost family members were there. So nobody is going to hold up a Bush sign under these circumstances. By including the Bush-bashers you have made this a political statement even if that was not your intent. I have one of the few galleries (probably less than five) which shows a political event and presents participants from both sides. The overwhelming majority at Pbase is anti-Bush although the country is pretty much even. I submit that it is "cool" to have an anti-war statement gallery-anyone can stand around with a sign saying "war is bad" and everyone will get on board. I think what you have done here by including the Bush-bashers in what could otherwise rightfully be called a tribute gallery is submit to the temptation to jump on a bandwagon.

Tami		05-Oct-2004 02:00
Thank you Niecy.

Guest		04-Oct-2004 12:36
Tami, I certainly understand the meaning behind this gallery. I have had family members that have fought in the different wars, I too was lucky to have all them come home. I would like to thank the men and women that are serving their country. God Bless and congratulations on a moving tribute. Niecy

Tami		04-Oct-2004 12:00
W. Tracey, Don't forget to add that I let you know I deleted your comment and invited you to repost. I have deleted WAY more then one comment. I don't know if you have read all of the comments on the page. Politics was not my intention when I took the pictures. I documented the exhibit. If there where people there with pro-Bush signs, they would have made the gallery. There weren't any there. Those "Bush Bashing" signs that are up are the sentiments of the people who lost their family members, NOT MINE. I am African American, had that been a Klan rally and people had I hate all N***** posters, I would have photographed AND posted that. Do you think that means that I hate African Americans. NO!! SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN. I am neither anti-Bush nor pro-Kerry. I left comments from both sides of the fence up. I don't agree with most of the political comments at all and I have asked people to take it to the polls. Tami

Guest		04-Oct-2004 11:27
Tami Ok you deleted one comment. But when you include the "Bush bashing" people this moves from the category of tribute gallery to the category of political gallery. If you want to make a tribute that is fine. Just leave out the political stuff. Just my opinion.

Josy's Pics		04-Oct-2004 01:23
God bless America and all the families who lost their love ones... thanks for sharing Tami!

Tami		03-Oct-2004 20:07
Thanks Andre for the congratulations. Tami

Guest		03-Oct-2004 18:19
Tami, Congratulations on your gallery. All americans have the world's future in their hands. Please, don't let any more of this to happen. Next November 2nd, change the course of things. Regards. Andre

Tami		03-Oct-2004 15:38
Thanks MOMMIE. I LOVE YOU, as Natalia said for being loving to me! Tami

Diane		03-Oct-2004 15:28
It is interesting to read the various views on this gallery. Tami is my daughter and a second generation photog in our family. Her interest in photography intrigues me and her eye for a photo op pleases me. Her father was a photographer also, but his generation did not have the luxury of posting on computers. Tami, keep up the good work. I do not view this gallery as a political comment as some others do. I see it as an effort to place the image before an audience and let the audience draw from it what they will. This gallery has certainly engendered a wealth of opinion. As Natalia said, DO YO THANG!! Mommie

Guest		03-Oct-2004 06:51
Why doesn't everyone go over to pbase member scoutphoto, a real serviceman with battle pics posted and ask what he thinks of tbis?

Tami		03-Oct-2004 06:35
Thanks Sergei.

Tami		03-Oct-2004 06:34
Thanks, Leah, Jeannie and MISSY!! Much love to you all. Tami

Guest		03-Oct-2004 06:31
Tami, once again you caught deep, moving emotion! your gift is the eye that captures details and make us stop and pay attention. and here is no different. you made a strong impact with these images. you tell the story and make our emotions flow. each comment shows how you move us, and although some are angered and say hurtful immature and racists remarks, it shows you can arouse feelings in everyone, all with YOUR photographs. keep showing us what you see, keep stirring intense thoughts and feelings. you are surely making a mark on this vast blue and green ball we all call home..... U GO GURL! hugz missy

Guest		03-Oct-2004 05:46
Great gallery girl :) Such a powerful meaning in just photos :)

Guest		03-Oct-2004 03:52
This is a very imprtant statment and a very emotionally moving gallery. Thank you for posting it , Tami. Jeannie

Sergey Korolev		02-Oct-2004 18:40
My sympathy to you, Tami.. to all the families who lost their loved ones..

Tami		01-Oct-2004 04:48
Thank you Stephen and to person who sent me a private message about my pictures and my response to Tim. Your comments/compliments are appreciated. Just remember we don't all think like Tim.

Guest		30-Sep-2004 07:51
Very strong gallery, Tami. It appears to be a fine record of what must be a very moving exhibit, which I believe is what you set out to achieve. As a photographer, you are recording the event, and not necessarily aserting your personal views in doing so. For the record, and moving away from commenting on the photography for a moment, I applaud you for rebuking Tim so eloquently. It is views such as his that are giving US citizens a bad image around the world (I'm in the UK, BTW). Informed rebuttal is a much more effective opposition than censorship! I personally oppose Tim's views, and believe that the Iraq war was / is illegal and baseless for many reasons, and resent the UK government for having gotten involved at the time it did i.e. before the UN inspections had been completed. For me, this is what makes the exhibition, and your images, so powerful.

Tami		29-Sep-2004 20:53
Tim - please go to another gallery. I have left your views up for whomever wants to see them but you are not going to pick a fight with me or any other Pbase members on my gallery. You have made yourself clear on your beliefs. Either pay the $23 and start your own gallery or leave people alone. Email me offline if you want to know how you came across as a racist. I will delete all of your messages from this point forward. It is my right to do so.

Tami		29-Sep-2004 19:47
Thanks blu. I appreciate your commet/compliment. My daughter is sorta sweet. ;-)

blu		29-Sep-2004 18:54
very strong gallery - excellent, moving captures. i read every comment and must say it's quite interesting stuff. i'm very positively surprised by many soldiers honoring your work - "considering the source", as you say, it does mean a lot. what concerns tim and think-alikes, well in a somehow unpleasant and paradox way supports kerry's case: you really start to believe that all bush supporters are complete morons (and racists btw). i'm a swiss guy - so very of "european lineage" and neutral by definition - and proud to be (finally!) a member of the UN, the most important and to be respected organization in the world in my honest opinion. I sincerely hope that the Americans will get back to their "old strengths". Hereby, I don't mean military power but being a leading nation and a role model for democracy, for personal and societal freedoms. Strengths which the US was known and respected for and which have been lost to a great deal due to Bush's foreign - but also innner - behaviour and arrogant activism. this is quite a common european view - not only among lefties and marxists but also more conservative circles which used to support the republicans. i personally remember that lots of young people over here were "america-fan" around 10 years ago - now, you don't find them anymore but anti-americanism (which I personally find wrong as being to general, prefer anti-bushism) is VERY wide-spread. so, not very neutral for a swiss guy, but just wanted bring in the outside view. again, great gallery! warm regards, urs ps: your daughter is sweet :-)

Tami		28-Sep-2004 23:33
From natalia Mama this is your daughter and do not lisnted to any one who is trying to bring you down and Tim leave my hard working independent mama alone got it!!!Now mama i love your pictures so DO YO THANG.This is your 10 year old daughter thank you for being loving to me. Lova baby girl

Tami		28-Sep-2004 16:04
Thank you Barri.

Tami		28-Sep-2004 15:11
Tim, I don't have an agenda. I did not post the link to Eyes Wide Open you did. Now traffic can be drawn to their site and they may even attract more members. The majority of the comments on my site are postive towards the pictures and what I was trying to represent. I simply took pictures of an exhibition. I don't belong to Eyes Wide Open and I am not familiar with their agenda. You are reading WAAAAYYYYY to much into this gallery. I am a hard working/taxpaying/property owner/with a family American that loves photography. That is all. You have an axe to grind and I would prefer it if you did that somewhere else. I won't allow Guest to post to my site any more.

Barri Olson		28-Sep-2004 14:12
Thank You for honoring the people who gave their "all", because they were called upon to do so. Very moving.

Tim		28-Sep-2004 13:05
Tami, You send "If you notice I have NO political agenda whatsoever and I damn sure don't feel elite or try to portray that". This "eyes wide open" exhibit is sponsored by the Marxist far left, a Quaker organization calling itself the American Friends Service Committeehttp://www.afsc.org/iraq/Default.htm has been mobilizing gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgendered, queer "rainbow" Quakers, Muslims, battered women, disabled and indigent people, Arabs, Asians, Native Americans, South Americans, Latin Americans, Africans, and other third world people and laborers to demonstrate against U.S policy concerning the war in Iraqhttp://www.afsc.org/lgbt/peace/issue-brief.htm This well-funded, organization is international in its vision and outreach, supports the United Nationshttp://www.un.org (One World Government/World Federalism) and is clearly anti-American. They have recently agitated the North Koreans against us. Their goal is to undermine hard-working white Americans of European lineage who have families, own their own homes and pay taxes, the Protestant work ethic, capitalism, corporations, and everything else the United States currently stands for, including the founding ideals it was built on. Kindred spirits include Marxist-leftist entertainment celebrities Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Dixie Chicks, Michael Moore and Democratic Presidential hopefuls Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts and Vermont (state where gay marriage is legal) Governor Howard Dean and others.http://www.afsc.org/eyes/default.htm But you don't have an agenda.

Tami		27-Sep-2004 23:25
Thank you for your comment Cory, again considering the source, it means a lot to me. Tami

Guest		27-Sep-2004 20:32
Tami, Thank you for the images. Spent 22 years as a Marine and many long days/nights/months/years on foriegn soil away from family and friends for the Freedom we all enjoy. I am glad/proud/thankful that there are those who continue to be the warriors we need to stand tall in the darkness. I even like to protester images because they express the ultimate freedom that I defended. Moving gallery, Thanks! Cory

Guest		27-Sep-2004 19:13
Let's face it, Bush is an idiot and those that support him are complete morons. end of story. I say that as someone that just returned from Iraq with shrapenel still inside of me. A great many soldiers in Iraq despise the current administration. We despise Bush for calling out Kerry on voting against supplying the troops when he himself hasn't supplied us. If there is a god, Bush will lose in November.

Tami		27-Sep-2004 18:45
For the record, I don't agree with Fire and Iron, and the other "Guest". Your comment is left up because you are a soldier.

Tami		27-Sep-2004 18:37
Tim, I don't feel like you have embarrassed me. I could care less if you disagree with me. You are entitled to your opinion. If you notice I put your comment back up but deleted the part about me crying over the name issue. That was uncalled for. I will leave your message up in its entirety. Sorry you feel that you are being used. That is not my intention. If you notice I have NO political agenda whatsoever and I damn sure don't feel elite or try to portray that. Tami

Tim		27-Sep-2004 18:30
Tami likes to delete people who disagree or embarrass her, so here is my message again. The moral righteousness, the elitism - it's shining through with horrible ostentation. We just don’t "get it." You offer candle-lighting and hand-holding and wishy-washy hug therapy when what America needs most right now is a Marine with a grenade launcher strapped to his back and an eleven inch knife clenched between his teeth. But the Marine is part of some vague concept of "normative paradigm" that disgusts many modern day liberals. He’s part of the problem not the solution. Of course, few of these protesters will tell you what that solution is, but, rest assured, they know it and we don’t. I am in the Marines, and I will be leaving for Iraq again in March. Thank God the election will be over and if something happens to me you won't be able to use me.

Tami		27-Sep-2004 18:22
Tami, The moral righteousness, the elitism - its shining through with horrible ostentation. I guess we don't "get it." You will offer candle-lighting and hand-holding and wishy-washy hug therapy when what America needs most right now is a Marine with a grenade launcher strapped to his back and an eleven inch knife clenched between his teeth. But the Marine is part of some vague concept of "normative paradigm" that disgusts many modern day liberals. He’s part of the problem not the solution. Of course, few of these protesters will tell you what that solution is, but, rest assured, they know it and you don’t. I am in the Marines, and I will be leaving for Iraq again in March. Thank God the election will be over and if something happens to me you won't be able to use me.

Tami		27-Sep-2004 17:11
This is the last of the Bush is Evil/Great comments. This is not the place for that. This is for the soldiers and their families. The two pictures that refer to Bush in this gallery are there because they were at the exhibition. Those are not my views. Most liberals are not crazy and most republicans are not a$$holes, you can find both of those traits on both sides. Guest, please leave a name. John Smith suits me just fine. For some strange reason "Guest" annoys me. Go figure. Take the BUSH/KERRY war to the polls on Novemeber 2nd. Tami

Guest		27-Sep-2004 17:03
If one accepts the view that the criteria for presidential greatness is the ability to confound one’s political opponents by stealing their issues and outsmarting them at virtually every turn, by that measure – from tax cuts to education reform to the war on terror to his domestic spending priorities to his mid-term election victories – if political success equals greatness, then George W. Bush is a great president indeed. Here is the playbook for most of these political photo sites: Crazy Liberal Idea #1: Bush Is a Moron Crazy Liberal Idea #2: Bush Is a Puppet Crazy Liberal Idea #3: Bush Is a Fanatic Crazy Liberal Idea #4: Bush Is Hitler…Only Not as Talented Crazy Liberal Idea #5: Bush Isn’t Protecting You Crazy Liberal Idea #6: Bush Wants to Bankrupt the Government Crazy Liberal Idea #7: Bush Is a Cowboy Crazy Liberal Idea #8: Bush Is a Liar When taken as a whole, these “crazy ideas” indicate the irrational nature of the Bush haters – that they can simultaneously hold contradictory opinions of the man: Is he a moron and a puppet controlled by others? Or is he a dangerous fanatic? Why would his fanaticism be dangerous if he is controlled by others? Sounds like desperation.

Guest		27-Sep-2004 15:09
"The only amount of land we have EVER asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return." He might as well have added "Oh, and your oil."

Yiannis Pavlis		27-Sep-2004 02:35
very nice work i really like your images ,they are full of emotion.regards yiannis.

Steve Pepple		27-Sep-2004 02:09
Thanks for the beautiful gallery. And thanks for posting these photos without judgment. Time will only tell if the sacrifice these men and women made will come to a constructive end or whether they will have lost their lives for naught. Regardless, we should thank them and remember them.

Guest		26-Sep-2004 08:37
["but i'm afraid it touches only those who are against Bush" Exactly, because those who are for Bush are emotionless, unfeeling assholes] Oh, I don't know about that. I'm a father, a husband, someone's son, and someone's brother. I'm a Boy Scout leader who teaches your boys that "Character Counts." I'm also a Firefighter who has lost 343 Brothers at the hands of those that make war a profession - yet are not professional soldiers. While you're looking at these touching pictures that denote the more than 1,000 Americans who've died on foreign soil - why not increase that number by 3,000? That's the number of Americans that died on our soil - in the Twin Towers; at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. If we as a nation - sit and wait while the Socialists who run the U.N. 'talk' about a peaceful means of resolving every issue that Radical Muslims who've hijacked an entire religion - reload... I'm afraid that they will. I'm also afraid that no matter who is in the White House when men and women are sent off to war - there will always be those that will act just like water, seeking the path of least resistance. It's easy to attack someone who's not pointing the barrel of a gun at you, I suppose! Jon Pearl - St. Petersburg Some thoughts to ponder... "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." --George Washington, First Annual Address, January 8, 1790 "Except for Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, War Has Never Solved Anything" "Except for Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, War Has Never Solved Anything" When in England at a fairly large conference, Secretary of State Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire-building by George W. Bush. He answered by saying the following: "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have EVER asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return." ....... It became very quiet in the room.

Guest		26-Sep-2004 07:40
... I still think a world without war is possible. It will happen if we want to. Thanks a lot for this gallery. Peace!

Guest		26-Sep-2004 07:25
very nice pictures, so emotional :)

Guest		25-Sep-2004 15:16
Moving gallery Tami. I can't image losing a father, mother, son or daughter, the pain must be great. I for one am most grateful for those who honor us by serving and paying the ultimate sacrifice. I won't forget. I know all too well how precious life is as my father helped liberate France. I'm lucky to be here, he was severely wounded. As others have said, we need these reminders, so that war doesn't always have to be the recourse to an problem.

Tami		25-Sep-2004 00:17
Thank you C. Gull, Sir. ;-) Your comment means a whole lot, consider the source. Tami

Tami		25-Sep-2004 00:16
"Photography is also that, a report of meaningful images to give us the opportunity to think over deeply about what somethines we'd prefer to skip." This is my one and only intention. This is how I saw it. Thank you for your comment, Marisa

Joe Vigliotta		24-Sep-2004 21:13
This is how it is done right. To record an event such as this without any bias. To bring the event to us to see and decide as a Nation what is right or wrong. For that is the essense of the fight: the RIGHT to Choose. You have these image proud. My total congrats. "No matter how we feel about war we must always remember the soldiers and their families, for they have made the ultimate sacrifice." <----------- These are the best words I have seen written concerning this subject. Regards C.Gull USAF Ret.

Marisa Livet		24-Sep-2004 12:02
Photography is also that, a report of meaningful images to give us the opportunity to think over deeply about what somethines we'd prefer to skip. Thank you...we cannot fully imagine others' sorrows, but we can think over about that, it's a way to share sympathy.Your pictures are delicate, meanigful and thoughtful, without any polemical intention, just full of sincere sympathy. Marisa

Tami		24-Sep-2004 01:55
Ain't that the truth, Wendy O!

Wendy O		24-Sep-2004 01:52
Very touching gallery. I hope that soon we will be done with this senseless war and bring our young people home. So many lives needlessly lost.

Guest		23-Sep-2004 15:34
"but i'm afraid it touches only those who are against Bush" Exactly, because those who are for Bush are emotionless, unfeeling assholes

n		23-Sep-2004 14:30
Thank you for sharing these images.

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