Photo book of Marines, sailors in action will aid military families

Dick Benoit

Thursday, June 2, 2005 | 8:16 a.m.

Hundreds of color photos depicting the trials and triumphs of the Navy and Marine Corps during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom adorn the pages of "Defending Freedom," a new hardcover coffee-table book.

Proceeds of the book's sale will be used to provide financial assistance to sailors, Marines and their families, said K.L. Vantrtan of the American Forces Press Service, following interviews with the the editor and contributing Navy photographers.

"Defending Freedom" shines a spotlight on the work of Navy and Marine photographers and the jobs the troops are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, said John W. Alexander, the book's designer and co-editor. Alexander, who has published four other books, said he was honored to volunteer his time on this project.

"I was pleased to do it," said Alexander, director of communications for the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society. "I love working on books like this."

"This collection of images taken by military photographers and journalists vividly depicts the heroism, courage and compassion of our men and women in uniform who are opposing terrorism and its despicable acts of hatred and violence," notes Navy Secretary Gordon R. England in the book's foreword.

"This book, filled with poignant images of our magnificent men and women in uniform, brings to life the inspirational service they perform so valiantly every day," added England, who has since been appointed acting deputy secretary of defense.

According to Vantrtan, one Navy chief petty officer who contributed to the book, and who has more than 18 years of service, was originally going to serve one tour but photography turned out to be such an exciting career that he kept re-enlisting.

Chief Johnny Bivera has several photos featured in "Defending Freedom."

"It's great to have been part of this book," he said. "There's nothing like sharing your work in print, but more so in a book that will last a long time and be viewed by many people.

"It's also an honor to share the pages with so many of my colleagues," he added. "They're all great photographers."

Navy Chief Petty Officer Kevin Tierney, who has 17 years of service, echoed Bivera's thoughts.

The best part of being a military photographer, Tierney said, is "getting to see the best and brightest of this nation pulling together for the common good of man." The worst, he added, is seeing the suffering of humanity.

The back inside cover of the book contains a DVD that features three products: Operation Enduring Freedom: The Opening Chapter; Operation Iraqi Freedom: Chapter II and Power of Teamwork. A CD that contains high-resolution photos -- those that are in the book as well as 250 others -- is also included.

The book is available through the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society.

Requests can be made by e-mail to alexande@hq.nmcrs.org, or phone at (703) 696-1904.

In brief