Many soldiers describe war as long periods of crushing boredom punctuated by periods of total fear. For those of us who have never experienced combat, it is often hard to grasp the impact that both the boredom and the fear has on the lives of those who return from a war zone.

On November 1, 2006 the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation will unveil a photo exhibition offering a revealing perspective on the lives of soldiers stationed in the Al Anbar province, one of the most violent regions in Iraq. Featuring the work of photojournalist Rick Steele, the exhibit, “Faces of Freedom: Scenes of courage, sacrifice and daily life in Iraq,” will be displayed at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. through May 2007.

Mr. Steele was embedded with Marine units serving cities such as Fallujah and Al Qa’im. He selected photos for the exhibit that bring to life the every day struggles and challenges to which veterans across the generations can relate. Mr. Steele said his mission wasn’t “about capturing just the hard-news component of life in Iraq.” Instead, he focused on, “the small moments that escape the media’s attention but which compose the memories of both soldier and citizen.” From donning body armor to passing out candy to local children, the realities of life under fire are vividly portrayed in the faces of both Marines and Iraqis.

“This exhibition provides a wonderful platform for spreading awareness of the Memorial message, ” said Crystal Carter, Director, Capital Campaign Fundraising for DVLMF. “These images are more about people and less about war—people interacting with one another in a very strained and dangerous situation.”

“The purpose of the Memorial is to honor the lives of the men and women who give so much in America’s defense, and to remind us of the realities of war, insidious or inspiring,” said Ms. Carter. “This exhibition is a vivid manifestation of that message.”