This Veterans Day I was reminded of a set of photographs made in Afghanistan by the late Tim Hetherington. This work was made in the Korengal Valley where Tim was embedded on assignment for Vanity Fair with the U.S. Airborne Infantry platoons holding an outpost in the Valley. These photographs are such a different take on the War in Afghanistan and are done with such intimacy and grace.
Lizama sleeping. Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. June 2008. © Tim Hetherington | Magnum Photos
Doc Kelso sleeping. Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. June 2008. © Tim Hetherington | Magnum Photos
The young men are shown surrounded by war deep in the peace of sleep. The armor-less soldiers are bathed in the warm grainy light of the plywood bunks - totally vulnerable. When I look at the soldiers I feel relief for them and can’t help looking directly at their faces and think about the beauty of sleep and the protection it offers. What made Tim and incredible photographer was his ability to become so entrusted by his subjects even though he was documenting them at such a fragile state. He dedicated himself to living and working with these troops and garnered their respect.
Sergeant Elliot Alcantara sleeping. Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. July 2008. © Tim Hetherington | Magnum Photos
Specialist Steve Kim sleeping. Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. July 2008. © Tim Hetherington | Magnum Photos
“Look, this is how their mothers see them, they don’t have their gear on, they’re like these little boys and you never get to see soldiers the way their mothers see them. And here they are asleep, innocent, unguarded” - Tim Hetherington
Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. July 2008. © Tim Hetherington | Magnum Photos
“It’s all about the men. I didn’t want to pretend this was about the war in Afghanistan. It was a conscious decision. It comments on the experience of the soldier. It’s brotherhood. The flow of pictures is to introduce you to the Korengal Valley first and then to see the men in an intimate way… To get to know them and how they lived. Then you see them in combat in the traditional combat style. Finally, you see them as young men, sleeping.” - Tim Hetherington
Tim was killed doing what he did best covering the Libyan civil war in 2011. Grateful for the heart and eye of Tim to remind us the lessons of history and the people who fought for it.