Johnny's family and friends hold a
going away party for Johnny. Dress code for the party is Army fatigues.
Johnny is seventeen and just graduated from high school and will be
going off to boot camp and then to Afghanistan. American rite of
passage, beautiful cannon fodder.
Johnny says in boot camp he's going to
learn how to jump out of air planes. At his party he learned how to
down shots and pour a glass of beer with a proper header. American rite of passage,
beautiful cannon fodder.
Johnny's car that he built with his
father will be placed in storage for him until he returns. Johnny is
the absolute best of Midwest, middle-class (disappearing) America. Johnny is a
beautiful kid. I know, I photographed his party. Be
safe, I told him. Beautiful cannon fodder.
What kind of man will the Army make of
Johnny? What kind of man will he become in Afghanistan?
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Tillman |
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Wuterich |
Or will Johnny become a member of the
growing number
military suicides? (Or will he be suicided?) This is
what is happening to the best of Americans (those that can't keep up with the killing) that join the military to
become part of America's “war on terror”.
Be careful, Johnny. Truth is a delicate
matter these days. Telling may get you labeled a terrorist... or it may get you dead. If you learn the truth, that our soldiers aren't fighting for
America's freedoms but fighting to enslave others to the same
masters that they are enslaved to, be careful with
that truth. Be careful who you tell.
Oh Johnny, beautiful Johnny. When you
return to your car, to your family and friends, what kind of man will
you be?
Be careful, Johnny. Be safe. Beautiful
cannon fodder.