Assignment: First Checkpoint

1) My project is interviewing student veterans to record their oral histories, as well as document their life through photos. I will be following them around to document their daily lives both at school, at home, and out with friends. I would also like to photograph any of their possessions that refer to their service as this will aid the project’s disadvantage that what we will be discussing is in the past tense.

I think I may also photograph some of the aspects on campus that represent veterans or military service. This includes VASMA events, Memorial hall, the student VA office, and anything that these men and women would see everyday but may have a different meaning for them. I may add a component to the project that shows this campus’ military history through photographs (with the help of the Library Archives) if I feel I can make it fit.

2) The Marlboro Marine:

This is similar to mine because it chronicles this man’s life after he came back from Iraq and what his life is like at home. I will be shooting day to day their life. What will be different is the fact that I do not personally know any of these veterans and have never served in the military, so it will be harder for me to get them to open up to me about what it was life for them to serve and what their lives are like now as a student. Also, I do not want to add my own commentary at the end about what it was like to shoot this project. I want the story to be about these veterans.

Maurice Decaul: The Iraq Veteran

I like this story because it is very similar to what I have in mind for my project. He is a student and a veteran and he does talk about how his experience in Iraq plays into his writing at school. This story had some personal shots at home and a photo of his unit, however I didn’t feel the intimate connection that I did with The Marlboro Marine. I just felt like the photographer had met with him a few times and conducted an interview. I would like to go further if I can.

3) Erik: A Vet working in the student VA office. I have already done one interview with him and will set up a time after break to do some more.

Fatima: A woman who works in the student VA office and teaches a one-credit class to new veterans on campus. She is going to talk to her class about me coming in to discuss my project with them and hopefully get some sources.

Jake: VASMA president. I attended a VASMA meeting on Monday and discussed with him about my project and coming to some of the events that they are hosting.

I will be going to the student VA office frequently to find new people and be a common face there. I am hoping that my constant interactions in that office will get the word spread that I am approachable and not just there to get what I need and run.