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The old straw hat..Tribute...


The old straw hat..Tribute...
Photo Information
Copyright: Philip Gerald (philip) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 26 N: 176] (1320)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09-04
Categories: Decisive Moment
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/280 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Trip With Uncle Sam
Date Submitted: 2004-09-06 10:29
Viewed: 3054
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Old Straw Hat


It was a very calm, sunny evening as I was walking through pile after pile of rubble of destroyed buildings. The buildings were owned by the former dictator of Iraq and surrounded his palace. They were destroyed by war planes in the beginning of the liberation of the Iraqi people.

When I approached one of the rubble piles, I came upon this old straw hat, probably owned by a gardener or a grounds keeper of Saddam Hussein. Immediately when I saw it, questions ran through my head, "Who's hat was this? Do you think he was wearing it when the building collapsed? Was he a nice old man or was he hard and mean? Do you think he cherished this hat? Is it worth innocent lives like the life of this old man for the freedom of this nation?" It gave me a lot to think about as I wandered further through the other piles of rubble and half standing structures. As the sun began to creep over the horizon I started feeling a peace about everything. I began to think about the hope that the people of this country now are free to have, even though it's at such great cost. I thought of a country that is now able to decide their own future instead of being told. I tried to imagine how freedom would feel for the first time, and how my life would be different if I never had it.

Do I think that it's worth a good Iraqi's life for freedom? Yes. Do I think it's worth a good American's life for the freedom of another country? Yes. Should the life of that old man and others be remembered? Yes. I will always remember that old straw hat because of what it represents to me.

Phil Bentz
shutterbug, Quark, tashi-wangmo, Xalkida, Riz, Tim, inaam, clive has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
AmazedTim 10 09-07 20:07
God Bless Americashutterbug 6 09-06 13:02
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Critiques [Translate]

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!! This photo is beautiful, your note is beautiful, what this old hat represents to you is beautiful! I go into more detail about these things in a discussion, as to not take up too much room in a critique. Beautiful!

  • Great 
  • Cat Gold Star Critiquer [C: 74 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-09-06 11:57]

Oh Phil, what a wonderful photo and such a touching note. I am so thankful for Soldiers such as yourself. Caring and protecting. Thank you for your bravery, for our country and for those that you are now protecting.

God Bless you and stay safe!

Tres bien phil ,la photo est vraiment tres belle les couleurs sont bien claire.

ps: bonne chance pour votre demarche
amicalement coolpix

  • Great 
  • Quark Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 1339 W: 10 N: 29] (66)
  • [2004-09-06 13:16]
  • [2]

I totally agree with Cathe (CatEye) !
What a phylosophical text, Phil, really nice thoughts and the hat as this beautiful detail.
Wonderful done, note and picture !

Great shot!
It represent a lot to me but i donŽt think iŽll start with the subject...that would be way to long here on this site...
but greatings for your picture

  • Great 
  • padre Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1419 W: 90 N: 263] (4035)
  • [2004-09-06 14:13]
  • [2]

Very nice tones with excellent color and clarity. Nice image!

WOW Phil! As you requested, I will no longer leave points for you since I am your dad and you feel like that's cheating... (I don't necessarily agree, though I understand where you are coming from and will honor your request son). Your mom & I both read this today and it made us both very proud. We pray for you every day. Be safe and keep up the good photography & note writing. PS glad you are doing 100% of your own posting & editing. Love ya,

pops & madre

Great photo. I really like the lighting and the hat amongst rubbles speaks volume. Thank you for sharing your views and insights on this war.

  • Great 
  • spoony Gold Star Critiquer [C: 75 W: 0 N: 1] (234)
  • [2004-09-07 18:03]
  • [2]

Agreable colors here... I like it a lot! Very well composed too.

Great note.

  • Great 
  • inaam Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1719 W: 5 N: 389] (1376)
  • [2006-11-10 12:10]

A thoughtful perspective has been presented in this frame, both ways, the picture as well as the commentray note.

Thanks for sharing it.

  • Great 
  • clive Silver Note Writer [C: 8 W: 0 N: 11] (83)
  • [2008-03-01 5:35]

Hi Phil,
Nice picture. A truly wonderful note. It adds so much context to the picture.
TFS,
Clive

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