Bearer by Farrel Tompkins Preston
Veteran: Paul H., US Marine Corps
Artist Statement: Paul recounted stories of his tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq. I was struck by the heavy weight of his experience as Marine squad leader. Through his work as a machine gunner and ground operations specialist, Paul developed a sense of duty toward two very specific goals: The well being of the individuals around him and the accomplishment of the mission at large. The images of manual carrying procedures are meant to stand as a metaphor for Paul’s sense of lifting up his fellow Marines, as well as the burden of the decisions he has made, which define him for better or worse. This print also grew out of my personal impulse to honor Paul’s service to a country that we share.