The Iraq War is for Real
March 10, 2007 – 1:51 am
I read a very interesting interview transcript over at Salon tonight. The interview was with Nina Berman, the woman who took the above picture of injured Marine Ty Ziegel and his wife Renee on their wedding day. I found this be an unbelievably powerful photograph and was interested in knowing what the photographer had to say.
Mr. Ziegel was injured when a suicide bomber detonated himself near Mr. Ziegel’s truck. The interview transcript provides more details of the injuries. They’re obviously of the most severe order. But Ms. Berman does a great job relaying her observations of the couple on their wedding day, and how Mr. Ziegel has progressed in his recovery.
I don’t want to cheapen this most powerful of stories with a political rant. I just think it’s important that everyone look at this photograph, and just make a personal decision whether or not this war is worth the sacrifices we are asking our soldiers to make. I don’t care what conclusion you come to. Just take the time to consider all that we now know, and decide how you feel about the cost/benefit ratio of the decision to go to war.
Over three thousand of our bravest men and women have perished in combat in Iraq. Thousands upon thousands more have come back wounded, and many times we’re not talking broken leg wounded, as Mr. Ziegel can attest. I just think it’s important that everyone in this country know exactly what the price of this war is, because that can be quickly forgotten when we immerse ourselves in our own, too often trivial, daily grinds.
12 Responses to “The Iraq War is for Real”
Hey Jeff,
Hope all is well. I don’t want to get into a political debate but maybe we should ask Mr Ziegel if it was worth it. I have a pretty good idea what he would say. It is never as black and white as some would have us believe.
Take care and I hope all is well.
By Mick Wilcox on May 1, 2007 at 3:54 pm
If the Marine in the photo did not think it was worth it, He would not be wearing his uniform. Wake up America, Fight the Good Fight and enforce the laws we already have on immigration.
By Jay on Nov 9, 2007 at 6:20 am
i agree with jay!!!
just think of what this country would be like if we didnt fight back and do something! there would be nothing left! everyone would take advantage of use just because they know that they can walk all over us! but we arent like that, we will fight back, because we love our country and we have a good think going…. being free!
By ambree on Dec 4, 2007 at 6:56 am
This should be a reality check to all of you of what could be happening right here in America if not for this brave young man. I was in Fallujah and can tell you first hand that the folks we are fighting over there, would love the chance to come here and do the same thing to innocent civilians. At least this young Marine had a fighting chance. What kind of chance do you think your families, in the malls of America would have, if not for this young man and thousands just like him making the sacrifices for you, whether you want them to or not.
1stSgt of Marines
By 1stSgt on Dec 19, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Thank you very very much Sgt Ziegel for all you have given and done for me and my family. I wish I could have been there with you and do all possible to fight by your side, but unfortunately I am too old. Thank you very much and I pray you have the most wonderful life with your wife and your children who will be born. You are a hero and deserve all our praise and gratitude. You have stood in the gap to protect all of us who the Muslim extremists wish to kill. Thank you so much Sgt Ziegel. May God be with you and your wife everyday, every moment. He is there with you.
By Henry on Jan 16, 2008 at 2:16 am
WOW! That sends chills down my spine. I served in Iraq and worked in a hospital… and, unfortunately saw way too many similar things happening to our troops.
It’s heart-breaking to see.
I, sometimes, wonder myself if the cost of this war is worth it. Sure, if it prevented terrorists from coming to American… then, yeah…
But, would that really happen if we left Iraq? I don’t know…
Very good post!!
By John Morris on Jan 17, 2008 at 11:46 pm
This Marine, Sgt. Zeigel… I’m sure he would say these same things to you, if he’s as hard a Marine as I know he is.
Marines are proud to fight, it’s in their blood, in their minds, and in their very hearts. They protect those who cannot protect themselves, and this doesn’t extend to simply our own countrymen. The Marine is honorable, feirce, and fully commited in his fight. The Marine does not care if the people whose right to slander The Marine is payed for by the blood of The Marine decide that the war is unworthy for America to be in. The Marine knows that it is worthy, and more than worthy, because it is The Marine’s war. The Army, Navy, and Air Force have the problem of wondering whether what they did was worth anything at all, or meant anything, or was right and just. The Marine does not have this problem. This particular Marine gave an astounding amount of blood and lost so much for his country, and I would bet that he can never walk into a bar wearing anything to identify him as A Marine without someone paying for his drink.
Look at Sgt. Zeigel, and remember this:
In the picture, you can tell he is happy. He is with his wife, and he is just married. This Marine Wife is strong, and will love him, as she has proved by marrying him in his state. She will stand by him. I would wager that he is at peace with his wound, in part because it meant something.
Why would you want to take that from him?
-Recon
By Benjamin Rincon on Feb 3, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Your wedding day should be that happiest day of your life & I know this is not how she pictured her wedding day.
Mrs Zeigel just just as a patriot as her husband to stand at his side.
War is ugly and this is a reality check for what is at risk for our brother at arms over seas.
We are the most noblest counrty in the world this young marine i proff of that.
By Ret. CPL S.garcia on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:58 am
u think ur a patriot for fighting for your country, but there was no reason to fight for your country in the first place.
1. there was no weapons of mass destruction so no threat.
2. if you really needed to get rid of saddam you would have done it in the first gulf war but it seems you ballsed that up.
3. iraq was never going to become a super power.
the yanks should have fixed this first time around if it was about defence. but it wasnt the war was an easy cover to try and take over the oil industry and scare smaller countrys in case they tried anything.
p.s . im not blaming the brave men out there fighting as they have been tricked and corrupted by the us government who will lie, cheat and steal whatever they need.
By Wat the hell is wron with u YANKs on Feb 17, 2008 at 1:02 pm
i think this is really sad.
i am only 15, i don’t know a lot about war and to tell you the truth i dont want to know. Everything about a war is bad. death destruction and years and years ov recovery.
but im doing an art porject on the Iraq war and every image i have come across is crazy.
all of those pictures were of children being killed, soldiers being blown up or blood being spilled everywhere.
But this image is just as mind-blowing because it shows the after shock and affects that it has outside Iraq.
this topic is close to me bacause my uncle is over there fighting now and i know how many people over here love and miss him. just trying to imagine all the love and grief for every soldier is too hard.
sure, you want to fight for what is yours. for what is right. but i dont think death is the way to do it.
but so what. im just some stupid girl in Australia. what do i know
By Simone on Mar 15, 2008 at 8:43 pm
War is not necessary all we doing is taking thousands of people and making them go through hell. Bush doesnt care he just wants us to win he doesnt care if people die.
By ezequiel on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:16 am
I’m sure Sgt. Ziegel would think it was all worth it and still is. If he didn’t think so he wouldn’t be wearing his uniform. This is only my husbands second tour and I know he loves the Corps and would fight for our country as many times as it takes. He takes pride in standing side by side with his fellow Marines (4th Force Recon) and I’m sure Sgt. Ziegel did the same. I think the more important question is….does his wife and family think it’s worth it….
By Marine Wife on Apr 9, 2008 at 8:11 pm