Michael Yon, Embedded Journalist

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/

I first traveled to Iraq in December 2004, but the prime impetus to go occurred almost nine months earlier, after two friends were killed in two days in Iraq–one in Falluja, the other in Samara. In April, 2004, I attended both their funerals, also days apart, one in Colorado, the other in Florida. I met many veterans of the war on terror, some of whom encouraged me to go to Iraq or Afghanistan, and write the truth.

One childhood friend in particular—Rodney Morris—regularly called and emailed me, asking me to come over to Iraq, where he was then known as Lieutenant Colonel Morris. My initial reaction was, “Are you crazy!? I am a writer, not a war correspondent.” I thought there was nothing I could offer, and being intimately familiar with the effects of bombs and bullets, and having no wish to be burned alive or shot down, I repeatedly declined. But those two funerals, coming so close upon each other, got me thinking.

In a decision that entailed shelving serious investments in labor and time, I put current projects on hold and packed off for Iraq. When 2004 turned into 2005, I was in Baquba, near Baghdad. At that time, heading into Iraq’s historical first elections, there was daily fighting in Baquba. It was definitely newsworthy, but I was not sponsored by or affiliated with any media organizations. In fact, I had barely heard of the word “Blog,” when about three weeks into January 2005, I blogged my own first dispatch from Baquba.

Over the next several months I spent most of my time with combat soldiers doing combat things. I traveled up and down the Iranian border, met with countless Iraqis, got in shootouts and saw homicide and other bombings with my own eyes. The military was overwhelmingly open, though there was confusion about how to categorize me. I didn’t work for a paper or magazine, or television or radio. I would just say, “I am a writer.” Initially, when my blog became known, it lowered what little stock I had: Blogging was not exactly seen as the epitome of journalistic platforms.

Then, Rathergate and a few other major news scoops by bloggers started to change that perception, and a readership swelled around my work. Soon my photos and dispatches were being cited by mainstream sources around the world. Although I was offered numerous writing assignments and jobs, I declined them all. Some of the offers were quite good, but after struggling for many years to be independent, I came to see the value of that status. Not as a rabble rouser or as pugnacious individualist reflexively bucking “the system,” merely someone who could buck the system when it needed bucking.

Although I declined employment and advertisers, I never turned my back on “the system.” I wanted to be at arm’s distance, but not completely isolated. These decisions were good for business ethics but lousy for the bottom line. I had cut myself off from the normal methods for obtaining operating capital, and this left me broke. By mid-2005, despite the notoriety that my work was gaining, (it had now been used in nearly every major media outlet in the world) my bank account wasn’t the only thing going broke, my primary camera was crippled, and most of my work and communications gear was rapidly heading in the same direction.

By July, I could not even afford a new camera and I could not work as effectively without a camera. So I put up a Paypal support button and help flooded in. I got a brand new best-of-the-best digital camera within a week, and eventually bought enough gear, including night vision, satellite communications gear, better body armor, to keep the work coming. Support came at a cost, though, because I could no longer handle the extreme flood of emails and letters; so I hired assistants and got some technical services, both of which enabled me to stay focused on the work.

When the Deuce Four headed home to Ft Lewis, I returned to the United States. Once I did the support immediately began to wither, so I explored other options, eventually deciding to sell one of my better known photographs, Strength and Compassion, something which readers had been urging me to make available for purchase. Brisk sales helped to stabilize the situation but we’ve almost exhausted the supply of the limited edition photographs. The sales of a new deluxe hard cover edition of “Danger Close,” a book I had self-published in 1999, are also rewarding on several levels. When I first published Danger Close, I sold 8,000 copies, but the book was no longer in print. I received many emails asking about it and so I resurrected “Danger Close.”

In the year since I first set up the online gallery, I’ve added over 70 photographs, some of which are available in deluxe framed editions and all of which are offered in various print sizes. Customers tell me they make great gifts for fathers, husbands, brothers and sons who have military affiliations. But many women also write to tell me they love the photographs of children I’ve taken from all over the globe. I’m partial to the landscapes and nature photographs but that says more about the wanderlust in me.

All this said, it so happens that support from readers is by far the most important way for me to maintain my independence. I had to take time off from writing dispatches in Iraq so that I could complete “Deuce Four: The Battle for Mosul,” a book about my extended tour with that legendary and highly decorated unit. There was the possibility of entering into a publishing agreement with a hefty advance, but this came with editorial strings and ropes. So I opted for no contract, no advance but full control of the content. I owe at least that much to the soldiers of Deuce Four, especially to those who gave their lives and limbs in this struggle.

Except for a two week trip to Afghanistan in the spring of 2006, I spent most of 2006 focused on telling their story with accuracy and attention to detail. The research entailed travel, expenses I am still resolving, and it kept my profile low which in turn kept support low.

I follow the never ending news about journalists who get badly wounded,or worse, in Iraq. The enemy targets journalists as prize kidnap victims, and not all make it out of that trap alive. “Needless to say, that’s a consideration when I am in combat. I think about how important it is to have a war chest of funds in case the worst happened.

And so, how is this work funded? Mostly, and most importantly, by people continuing to make donations, or mailing in support. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to the people who have hit the donation buttons because the generosity of individual readers has kept me at this work.

I try to let my work speak to that, and the fact that it has been submitted for three separate Pulitzer Prizes, in photography and reporting categories, and it continues to garner awards and acclaim from both mainstream and alternative media organizations is my testament to how I much I value the support of my readers. I show my appreciation by doing the best work I possibly can.

One of Mike's dispatches:

 
From the comments section on Michael Yon's web page.

I'm Canuck, and consider the US' efforts in Iraq to be crucial for world survival -- but not sufficient in themselves, of course. Long War in progress.
And here's a (lengthy) statement from an Aussie about the tools America has deployed:

"Gentlemen,

I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned there is not place on God's earth better than Australia , and there are no people better than Australians.
That was until the past week or so.
My son is in the Australian Army and he is currently on deployment in Iraq. I can not go into his duties in great depth, but shall we say that he and his fellow army buddies are on a glorified guard duty looking after the Australian Embassy. They don't go out looking for "action", though it is a different story in Afghanistan, there the Aussie troops chase the baddies over the hills and into the valleys..
My son and I just ended a long 'phone conversation and here are some of his comments, believe me this is what he said. We have all seen the bullshit emails written by some clown in his lounge room pretending to be at the coal face, but this is what was said.:

"Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army) were pretty shit hot..... was I ever wrong!....The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom that it is almost embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier....don't get me wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much better.....they are complete at what they do, how they do it and their attitude is awesome....they don't complain they just get on with the job and they do it right.....I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I am not real worried about a confrontation but I tell you I feel safer just knowing that the US Army is close by....If we got into trouble I know that our boys would come running and we could deal with it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers. No questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us and for us because that is their nature, to protect those in need of protection.....We use the American Mess so you could say that we are fed by the Americans.....they have every right to be pissed at that but they don't bitch about that they just make us feel as welcome as possible....what gets to me is that the Yanks don't walk around with a "we are better than you attitude" and they could because they are, they treat us as equals and as brothers in arms. If nothing else, coming here has taught me that the Americans are a truly great Nation and a truly great bunch of people.....Let's face it they don't HAVE to be here, they could stay in America and beat the shit out of anyone who threatened them, BUT THEY ARE HERE because they believe they should be here, and the Iraqis would be screwed if they weren't here.....When I come home, you and I we are going to the US, we will buy some bikes and we are going riding...."
The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I realize that you (as a nation) must get pretty pissed with all the criticism you receive by the so-called "know it alls" who are sitting at home - safe. The reality is that they are safe, just as I am, because of America . If the world went arse up tomorrow there is f**k all we (Australia) could do about it, but I know that the Americans would be there putting themselves on the line for others. That to me is the sign of greatness.
The most precious thing in my life is my son, I look at him and I thank God that I am fortunate enough to be able to spend time in his company. We laugh, we discuss, we argue, we dummy spit, we have the same blood. I am not happy that he is where he is but that is his duty. He joined the Army to protect and to defend, not to play games. I mightn't like it but I accept it. My reasons for not liking it are selfish and self centered. I felt assured that he would be safe because he is in a well trained army with an excellent record, BUT NOW, I feel a whole lot better knowing that he is with your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.
Whilst he was growing up. I was always there to look after him, I would not let harm befall him and I would always put myself before him to protect him. I can't do that now. When it comes to looking after him now he and his mates will do the job, but also THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.
Gentlemen, I have rambled on for too long. but as I finish I say to you, as a foreigner and outsider, a nation is only a collection of its people and its attitude is the attitude of its people, collectively and as individuals. I am really glad you are here on this Earth and I respect you as a nation and as people.
Stand up and feel proud because you deserve it, there is no one else who will do what America does without question. The next time someone howls you down, take some comfort in the fact that America is defending their right to act like an idiot.
Finally, thank you for looking after my son.
Peter Turner"