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Photographers Capture 'A Day in the Life of the United States Armed Forces'

Tuesday, May 13, 2003
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

A new book, entitled "A Day in the Life of the United States Armed Forces," features some 300 photographs of service members and DoD officials. Jane Friedman, chief executive officer of Harper Collins Publishers, said, "It shares the message of bravery, dedication, patriotism, honor and sacrifice that's lived out each day by the men and women in our armed forces."
Image Credit: Rudi Williams -- AFIS

ARLINGTON, Va. -- AFIS
Army Gen. Tommy Franks was so touched by the images, he spoke in short, meditative sentences, hesitating between each heartfelt thought.

"You see the pride there," he said, looking at a colorful picture of troops training.

"That's a face with an iron will," Franks said with a prideful smile at a portrait of a soldier in combat gear.

A photo of new Air Force Academy cadets at lunchtime rituals prompted the general's comment: "You think about the days and nights spent thinking about it and studying it, wanting to get it right."

Thumbing through the large 256-page volume, "A Day in the Life of the United States Armed Forces," clearly moved the four-star commander.

A Navy SEAL – Sea-Air-Land – poses for photographer Nick Kelsh at Andersen Air Force base, Guam. Kelsh said the SEAL only agreed to be photographed partly camouflaged by water.
Image Credit: Rudi Williams -- AFIS

On Oct. 22, 2002, photographer Arthur Grace, a former Marine lance corporal, revisited boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. One picture he captures shows Staff Sgt. Charles A. Joseph providing extra incentive to a focused recruit.
Image Credit: Rudi Williams -- AFIS

"It's wonderful to see what these wonderful men and women look like on an average day as they're doing their jobs," Army Gen. Tommy Franks said after thumbing through the new book, "A Day in the Life of the United States Armed Forces." Franks, head of U.S. Central Command, led the coalition against Iraqi forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Image Credit: Rudi Williams -- AFIS

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2003 © U.S. Department of Defense.

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