Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=281115&Start=1&Sectionid=8&WhatsNew=Yes

Perhaps a strange title. I supported the Vietnam war from northern Thailand. In off hours, I took every opportunity to take photographs. On one occasion, a flood occurred in Udorn, Thailand. It demanded a photographer's attention. While wading in flood waters, I stumbled upon two children who had discovered one of the thousands of styrofoam bomb crates (from the nearby airbase) that had floated away. The irony was overwhelming: A pair of children in a bomb crate that held a pair of bombs. A piece of material that delivered death being used for fun. The innocence of youth. (I realize that some photographs mean more to the photographer than they do to the viewer. For that, I apologize. As is usually the case, time tends to erase the horrors or war and the associtated effects on life. These days, when I speak of the Vietnam war, kids say, "Huh?" I wonder if the same thing happened to WW2 participants.) Reach into your memories if you are old enough. Delve into the future if you are young enough. War sucks. Before I get flamed, I am a Vietnam veteran and an army retiree with 20 years of service for my country. War sucks. Thanks for viewing.

my thanks to you for your years in the service and yes war sucks!

Even without the acompanying story, the photo is a fine shot, and one you should be proud of.

The thing that gets me about war and how it is portrayed by governments and in the media is the language used to hide the reality of war.

For example...
Civilian Casualties = Innocent men, women and children killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Collateral Damage = Same as above, but includes property also

Accpetable Loses = The number of human beings a government and/or its military commanders are willing to sacrice to gain an objective

These are just some of the phrases used to obfuscate. As our country (The USA) is on the brink of a war that few people understand, I think it is important that we all spend the time to decide if this is something we really want.

BTW... This is by no means intended to show any disrespect for people who have or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. These people do an incredible job, and are an important part of any democracy. Unfortunately, like the vast majority of people they do not have ability to make the decision of whether or not we go to war.

Chuck, welcome home brother.

The remarks Alpha made reminded me of the definition of Revolution, found in the "Devil's Dictionary" (by Ambrose Bierce). A portion of that is extracted and printed below: "Revolutions are usally accompanied by a considerable effusion of blood, but are accounted worth it--this apprasiment being made by the beneficiaries whose blood had not the mischance to be shed." (how easy it is for people to sit in the clouds and remark that war is necessary knowing they and their family and friends will not be going) Anyway, didn't mean to turn it into such a discussion. I only wanted to present some words that might usher the photo forth in the way it should be observed. Thanks again for your time.

I was born in 1967.....and fairly clueless to the events going on during that time. However I know how it effected people in my family, especially an Uncle who was almost like a second father to me. He came home pretty messed up by Vietnam.....he was an emotional basket case, an alcoholic and suffered from PTSD for the rest of his short life. He died at the age of 49....7 years ago....I miss him terribly. Your image is excellent.....thank you for sharing it.

I remember there was always an argument about Vietnam being a "War" or a "Police Action." When we got around to the First Gulf War, to folks at home, it somehow did not seem like a real war. Too clean. No gripping photographs. Sanitized. Even the rockets over Baghdad looked remote as we heard CNN reports over cell phones. I'm sure, to the children in your photo, and to those in Nam and at the Gulf, there was never any question about it not being a war. The troops did their duty, and the children who lived grew up. This Forum is for Photography. Where are today's compelling photographs?

ChuckEvans, thank you very much for sharing. Your insight with both lens and pen leads us all to look at a deeper place inside each of us. Well done, sir.

(psst... Hello Moe!) Chuck, as I have told you, this is one of the reasons why I wanted to explore this type of photography. Thank you for posting this. (And I thank myself for doing a good job convincing him to post it hehehe) (* War war is stupid and people are stupid...