Simon Klingert's Postcard from Afghanistan

I would like to introduce you to a fellow photojournalist, a very talented (and brave!) photographer named Simon Klingert. I first met Simon at CPIC (Central Press Information Center) in Baghdad's Green Zone on 2 Mar 2008. My first impression of Simon Klingert was one of astonishment. This 20+ year old German student had completed (and financed) many self-assignments in areas that are extremely hazardous to Westerners, and has done a splendid job in the process. Simon is continuing his award winning photography in Afghanistan, and his "photo postcards" tell many stories. Here is a link to his blog: http://www.simonklingert.de/
I highly recommend that you follow his posts. Simon is embedded in areas in Afghanistan in which few U.S. journalists dare to tread.

RCT1 Humvee crew & John Wroblewski interview 4 Mar 2008 by Greg Janney

This video is an interview of the Humvee crew members of RCT 1, 3/1 Marines and John Wroblewski in Iraq on 4 March 2008 following our patrol to Faris, Iraq. Crew members featured are: "CC" Carlsen Crosby (.50 BMG gunner); Sam Michaels (vehicle commander); Christian Martinez (driver); and John Wroblewski (Gold Star father of USMC 2Lt. J.T.Wroblewski, who was KIA in Ramadi, Iraq on 6 Apr 2004 along with 11 other Marines.)

I haven't heard from these men lately, but I pray for them and their families that they are safe and well.

Wrigley's Gum in Faris, Iraq 1 March 2008 video by Greg Janney

Hello everyone. I have some more videos to share with you from my 2008 embed in Iraq. The first video was filmed after Iraqi children made a 17 pack of Wrigley's Chewing Gum "disappear" in about 10 seconds. School children on their way home in Faris, Iraq surrounded me to get a stick of Wrigley's. The video begins a few seconds after the gum has been handed out.

After the children get all the gum I have, they go about their way home from school. But watch as the winds preceding a sandstorm swirl the gum wrappers down the street toward the market. Those swirling pieces of foil clad paper tell several stories: Those of Iraq's children; Iraq's education system; socio-cultural differences of Iraq and U.S.; trash disposal; eco-awareness; being "green."

I plan posts on some of these topics, along with more videos. Thanks for your support of our armed forces deployed around the world. Please keep the troops and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Death of Major Kevin Jenrette, US Army 5 June 2009

I am incredibly shocked and saddened to report that one of my US Army Ranger friends and colleagues, Major Kevin Jenrette of Lula, Georgia was killed in action in Afghanistan on 5 June 2009 along with 2 other soldiers, "Staff Sgt. John C. Beale, 39, of Riverdale; and Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan, 21, of Rome, died near Kapisa, Afghanistan of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device" (courtesy of www.accessnorthga.com.) Major Jenrette had been a liaison in my ongoing assignments with the US Army Rangers for a number of years, and I greatly mourn his passing and the deaths of his comrades in this cowardly IED attack on their convoy.

Here is a link to the original post that I read today: http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=220898&c=10

This news was a great personal shock as Major Jenrette and I spent numerous days together coordinating photography for the US Army Rangers in past years. Unfortunately, I did not know the other two soldiers, but having spent a great deal of time with the military over the past ten years, I know that all these men gave their lives in service to our country, performing a job for which they volunteered to bravely complete. I also know that there are no words to ease the pain of their loss for their loved ones. However, I can say that we will never forget these brave soldiers or their sacrifice.

I have not heard about any arrangements for these soldiers as yet, but will update you as they are released. You can also check www.accessnorthga.com for updates.

My thoughts and prayers will be with these families, and the rest of our men and women in uniform as they proudly serve our country in a difficult and dangerous mission, thousands of miles away from the love and comfort of their families and homes.

Greg Janney - John Wroblewski interview on PajamasTV.com

This address is for the 15 minute Pajamas TV interview with John Wroblewski and I last Friday, 26 April 2009. The interview is done by Bill Whittle, PJTV Commentator on PJ Daily TV at http://www.pjtv.com/video/PJTV_Daily/A_Father%27s_Journey_to_Iraq/1771/

Please take the time to rate and comment on these recent media efforts to recognize the Wroblewski family, and the loss of at least twelve other families during the 6 April 2004 ambush. If we do not act now to keep the story in the public eye, it will quickly fade away. Let's do what we can to make sure that all Gold Star parents across the nation, as well as our military across the world know that we thank them all for their service and will never forget the sacrifices of the fallen or their families.
Freedom is not free, but is dearly paid for with the blood of patriots.

Web 2.0 media coverage through Brett Joshpe at http://www.parcbench.com helped make this coverage possible. Please visit my story, "A Father's Journey to Iraq" to read the full text of our story, and it is also posted on this blog as a separate post.

It is unlikely that these stories will be shown via the (generally) mainstream media. They do not want the world to hear any tributes to the U.S. soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Air personnel that have fought so hard, sacrificed so much, in their tireless effort to complete their mission in Iraq. So, I would encourage you to do some web-based research to sift the truth from the propaganda (or even worse, the absence of the truth) in media coverage.

I personally would prefer a story written by someone who has actually "experienced what happened, been to the scene, or has interviewed eye-witnesses", but many media agencies get their news from local "stringers or hired part-time reporters (hacks)", or report a wire story that came from God only knows where and from whom (unnamed sources!). What about you? Do you believe everything you see or read in the media? How credible (or biased) are the sources? I would enjoy your opinions on this topic, so please post a response to this blog (anonymously or not), so we can discuss this issue.

John Wroblewski 4 Mar 2008 returning to Fallujah after patrol

This clip shows John Wroblewski in our RCT 1 Humvee on the road back to Fallujah after our patrol and mission in Faris, Iraq.
Good video and comments.

"CC" Turret Cam video 4 Mar 2008 - Marine RCT1 Gunner "CC" Crosby's Turret Cam video - Pt 1 of 2

This is part 1 of 2 - A cool video made by 3/1 Marines RCT1 gunner "CC" Crosby's "Turret Cam video" as our Humvee heads toward Fallujah after our mission to Faris and the reconstruction project. A gunner's eye view from behind his M2 .50 cal machine gun from the gun turret, shot by future director, C. Crosby of 3/1 Marines RCT1. Thanks "CC"!