Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

HAB911

(9,732 posts)
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 01:15 PM 13 hrs ago

As discussed with George McGovern yesterday...

The FLORIDA MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS issued a call for entries for an exhibition entitled "The Soldier's Lens.
https://www.fmopa.org/

Once upon a time, 1970, I was a Sergeant in the Army stationed on the DMZ. At that time, just 17 years after the cessation of hostilities, it was barely a notch above combat conditions. In fact we all drew hostile fire pay whether we got shot at or not. All dirt roads with mine fields on either side that limited driving speed to 25mph, lest GIs would end up not making a curve and be in real trouble. Telephones were a 350 line common battery switchboard, which I was in charge of, as well as managing several operators, all Korean and American GIs. Now, I was never going to stay in the military, I was drafted mere months before the lottery was instituted. So these are not from the view of a career soldier, but more a draftee just hoping to get out of the Army alive.

Picking the allowed 5 photos from more than 140 I have resurrected from 55 year old negatives and slides was like picking a favorite child. You will undoubtedly recognize the first couple that I've posted here recently. I chose ones most likely to convey "the original perspective of an active-duty service member" (to civilians) as the museum requested, rather than the more personal to me. Certainly no guarantee one or more might be chosen, but it would be really exciting if it happened.

If you would like to see all 140, you can view them here: https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/PHOTOS-BACK-TO-THE-1960S/DEMILITERIZED-ZONE-CIRCA-1970

My 5 choices:
The Bob Hope Christmas Show at 16 deg, 1970


The Bob Hope Christmas Show at 16 deg dancing in parkas


Two of my operators, one Korean KATUSA, one American


An entry point on the Southern Boundary


A North Korean guard watching me watch him between those iconic buildings at Panmunjom




3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
As discussed with George McGovern yesterday... (Original Post) HAB911 13 hrs ago OP
Good job! Beautiful documentary photos Walleye 13 hrs ago #1
Wow, thank you, my dear HAB911, for these great photos. CaliforniaPeggy 12 hrs ago #2
Watching. Watching you watching him watching you while you watch him George McGovern 2 hrs ago #3

CaliforniaPeggy

(154,776 posts)
2. Wow, thank you, my dear HAB911, for these great photos.
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 02:45 PM
12 hrs ago

A snapshot, if you will, of a moment in your history as well as our nation's.

And thank goodness you came home alive!

George McGovern

(8,708 posts)
3. Watching. Watching you watching him watching you while you watch him
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 11:54 PM
2 hrs ago

freezing his butt off to etc. It's an intriguing image HAB911. Thanks for showing us.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Photography»As discussed with George ...