Name of photograph: 0309
This photograph demonstrates that the lives of the soldiers was inevitably difficult during the Vietnam War but some still managed to have faith every day they were out there fighting. Moses Sassoon, the young officer pictured in the photograph, is an enthusiastic 19 year-old boy who never thought he would be fighting in a war let alone the Vietnam War. He comes from the small town of Gibson, Arkansas, population 3,543. Moses is very family oriented so when he received the news of being sent away to fight, he was in deep shock. Struggling to keep his head up, Moses cherished each and every moment he got to spend with his family and friends. Out of all the two hundred male students on their way to complete their first year of college, Moses had been the only one drafted for the war. Sure, the thought of being the 'chosen one' was frightening but Moses felt cherished in a way. As the morning of May twelfth arrived, Moses said his goodbyes and hopped on a bus.
The photograph pictures Sassoon shaving at the An Khe base camp while using a mud puddle as both a sink and mirror. Although Moses longs for his family on a daily basis, he does not utter how much he doesn't want to be there. He thought himself as being cherished but little did he know he would be anything but cherished when drafted.
What will stick with me is the smile Moses bears. The surroundings are damp and muddy. Tents have fallen down and trees are no longer within sight; but although Moses has no relatives with him only smelly other guys, he still manages to smile...even when he is shaving after a long day of combat.
