Only the dead have seen the end of war.

Abstract

Always Lost is a unique collection of photographs, poems, and prose that recognizes the sacrifices of our American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retired Marine Corps Major Kevin Burns titled the exhibition after an observation by American writer Gertrude Stein: “War is never fatal but always lost. Always lost.” A sacred space in which to contemplate the personal and collective costs of war, Always Lost features the Wall of the Dead, photos and names of nearly 6,000 American service members who have perished in the Middle East since September 11, 2001; the literary work they inspired; Pulitzer Prize-winning combat photos by David Leeson and Cheryl Diaz Meyer (The Dallas Morning News); interviews and portraits of Iraq/Afghanistan student-veterans from Western Nevada College; and the poetry and profile of SPC Noah Pierce, who took his own life after serving two tours in Iraq. Your donation will support the effort to keep the Wall of the Dead current and to send Always Lost throughout the U.S. to colleges, universities, and veterans’ groups who are interested in hosting the exhibit. The exhibition’s national tour began at the University of Wisconsin, Marinette in fall 2010 and is currently scheduled through mid-2013. Always Lost has been invited to Washington D.C. by members of the U.S. Senate.