I was a Good Soldier

By Alex Krist

During my junior year of high school in 2001, while in my second period English class, a TV was brought into the room, just in time for us to witness the second tower being hit. The following summer, I said goodbye to a friend who was leaving for the Army and wished him a safe journey. A year later, after I graduated from high school, I also joined the Army.

Since 2001 between 1 and 3 million Americans have served in the Global War on Terrorism, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also throughout other parts of the

world. Approximately 1.8 million veterans live with a recognized disability from the war, some are visible, some aren’t. More than 114,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001 and that number continues to grow daily. Keep in mind, there were only 5,429 KIA from 2001-2021. On any given night in the US an estimated 40,000 veterans will go to sleep without shelter.

My inspiration for this artwork was sparked by my contemplation of the meaning and purpose of conceptual photography - the use of photography to convey an idea, concept, or statement. As a veteran, the issue of veteran welfare in America is a subject that has always been close to my heart, especially having lost veteran friends to suicide. I named this piece “I’m a Good Soldier” because it captures the look that I have observed in the eyes of every veteran I have encountered. It's a gaze burdened with the weight of memories - pain, love, sadness, and happiness - that are in a never-ending loop. However, despite the hardships, you can still see the eyes of a soldier who retains a deep love for a nation that has seemingly forgotten them.