This unique project, photographed by Ashley Gilbertson, shows empty bedrooms that belonged to soldiers lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The bedrooms remain as monuments of their ultimate sacrifices, preserving their personalities and showing us that these people whose lives were cut short were not only soldiers, but sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and friends, full of hopes and dreams. The author of this project, Gilbertson, explains the aim of his work:
"When people look at Bedrooms of the Fallen, they realize that it’s someone’s child that died and all of a sudden it becomes very real. This is what the end of war truly looks like. I don’t think that’s possible with standard war photography.”
It is true that, nowadays, people tend to forget the war is still going on in this world. This ongoing project is a reminder for us, safe at home, that people are fighting elsewhere to maintain the peace and security that we all enjoy.
Be sure to check out the original page of the project for more images and information.
More info: bedroomsofthefallen.com
Marine Cpl. Christopher G. Scherer, 21
He was killed by a sniper on July 21, 2007, in Karmah, Iraq. He was from East Northport, New York.
Cpl. Brandon M. Craig, 25.
He was killed in an IED attack on July 19, 2007 in Husayninyah, Iraq. He was from Earleville, Maryland.
Cpl. Matthew J. Emerson, 20
He was killed when a vehicle rolled over on September 18, 2007 in Mosul, Iraq. He was from Grandview, Washington.
Airman 1 Class Carl L. Anderson Jr, 21.
He was killed by an explosion on August 29, 2004, in Mosul, Iraq. He was from Georgetown, South California.
Lt. Brian N. Bradshaw, 24
He was killed in an IED attack on June 25, 2009 in Kheyl, Afghanistan. He was from Steilacoom, Washington.
Pfc. Richard P. Langenbrunner, 19
He committed suicide on April 17, 2007 in Rustimayah Iraq. He was from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Cpl. Jennifer M. Parcell, 20
She was killed by a suicide bomber on February 7, 2007 in Anbar province, Iraq. She was from Bel Air, Maryland.