Men & Boys of War

Men and Boys of War is a series of traditional photographic portraits portraying real war veterans and veteran families displayed alongside reenacted battle scenes of the war in which they served. The juxtapositions within the diptychs reveal how war re-enactments are period-piece events that symbolize an idealized past -- one of virtue and simplicity. In these elaborate events, civilian day-trippers play out fantasies of grandeur and heroism, side by side with real life veterans who use these events to cathartically relive personal trauma and attempt to socially re-acclimate within the familiar context of war in the safety of a civilian event.

Hitler Youth Reenacted

reenactment: D-Day Conneaut, Ohio Nazi Camp

Norman Johnson, Battle of Bulge / D-

reenactment: Battle of the Bulge, Fort Indian Gap, PA

Brand New Johnson M1941 Rifle

reenactment: American Camp, WWII Weekend & Air Show, Reading, PA 15” H x 21” W

Asked not to be Named

Vietnam Veteran Service 1964 - 1966 reenactment: "A" Company, 1/7th Cav. 1st Cavalry Division, Boalsburg, PA

Ground Pounders

reenactment: Military Museum Vietnam Weekend. Boalsburg, PA

John Flysher

D-day veteran. served 1943-1944 reenactment: D-Day

Little Drummer Boy

reenactment: The Battle of La Fiere Stone Bridge Reenactment, Ohio

Marion Gray

Marion Gray, Battle of Bulge and D-Day WWII 29th Infantry 116th Regiment: A Co. D-Day Medic reenactment: D-Day Conneaut, Ohio

Lone Wolf

Vietnam, US Air Force, & Reenactor wearing his original helmet, showing off his Hawkeye Instamatic Camera used in combat, 1971. reenactment: Military Museum Vietnam Weekend. Boalsburg, PA