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A couple of days ago I went out on a foot patrol in Sadr City with a young a soldier and noticed the tattoo on his arm, featuring a rosary and the words “Forgive Me.” I asked him what the story behind it was.
He said, “After my first tour in Iraq, I went back home to the states and all my friends called me a murderer and killer. I guess I started thinking a lot about all the things I had done over here…you know.”
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That guy needed new friends, not a new tattoo.
Posted by: Nathania | July 02, 2008 at 15:33
This guy fights for his country, then comes home and his so called friends call him a murderer?
Geez, this soldier needs to look at his immature friends and realize that they are the minority!
God Bless this soldier!
Posted by: Andrew, Simi Valley, CA | July 07, 2008 at 18:21
Thats a great picture.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: JAFFA | July 07, 2008 at 23:43
What am incredible blog!
I have read and seen literally hundreds of thousands of articles and photographs on this war and others. No photograph has ever spoken to me the way this one has. It is truly a remarkable statement of how war affects each person individually and collectively.
I am uncertain as to how I "stumbled" to your blog, I only know that I'm glad that I did and I have featured it (with proper copyright/accreditation to you) in several entries and thumbs up on my stumble, so that the possibility of being seen by over 5 million other stumblers and their guests could be afforded to you. I will also check in with you from time to time and I do pray for you safety and protection and for the lifting of the Marine Corp. ban on your embedded status. God speed Zoriah!
Many blessings.
Sincerely,
Roby
Posted by: Roby | July 09, 2008 at 01:37
http://roby07.stumbleupon.com/review/23210877/
What an eye opening blog!
Posted by: Roby | July 09, 2008 at 01:40
what a baised pig.. you are a liberal waitress Zoraih.. you bring to the table just what they want to hear
Posted by: Martyn | July 12, 2008 at 10:56
Your message has to get out, keep the fight going. I fully support you and your endeavors. You have the courage to face your fears and stand by your convictions and principles. Something Martyn knows nothing about, it is easy to criticize and totally different to act on what you believe in.
http://ptsdasoldiersperspective.blogspot.com/
We tell a soldier or veteran of war "welcome home" because the battle never leaves us, as we return from conflict everyday of our lives. This is my story and struggle with PTSD, it affects every aspect of my life. I want people to know what a combat veteran goes through after the media and people forget.
Posted by: Roman General | July 13, 2008 at 18:24
If I was to be called a murderer and i knew 100% that this was a lie, i would fight it vehemently!!
But if a honorable man say's"
"I guess I started thinking a lot about all the things I had done over here…you know.”
That changes everything!!
Posted by: MikeG | July 21, 2008 at 23:35
While Zoriah certainly has his perspective of the war, there's plenty of others that you could consider 'contrary' available, e.g. http://michaelyon-online.com/index.php or http://www.soldiersperspective.us/ .
Myself, my favorite war blog is http://warisboring.com/ . David Axe gives a pretty balanced perspective and covers more than just Iraq (guess what folks - The bad news is war is everywhere. And the good news is 98% of the country is at peace...! so RELAX...).
Basically, like ANYTHING in life, It's all how you want to look at it.
The only thing different about Zoriah's is that he's got a superb eye for photography!
Posted by: Anonymous Hollywood blacklist dodger | August 16, 2008 at 22:34
I think it is an amazing picture. Unfortunately yes war creates terrible things but the arguement should not be, why are we there the arguement should be why arent people supporting our troops. We follow orders we go to protect our country. Whether you agree or disagree were there. As far as that mans friends go they should rethuink if they call themselves his feriend or not. I think the last thing a solider needs is to return home and have more pressure placed upon him and make him feel worse than he might already feel. He could also disagree but at this point there is no choice. Leave it be, just dont make a man willing to sacrafice his life for you feel like shit. You whiney as people that sit at home can complain but funny I don't think I would ever see even 10 precent of you actually go fight for a cause you believe is right. STFU
Posted by: Brian | September 02, 2008 at 14:43