Tulsa Soldier Hopes Pictures Will Show A Different Side Of War

One Tulsa soldier, home on leave from Afghanistan, shared many of the photos he's taken of the mission that is making many Oklahomans proud.

Wednesday, November 16th 2011, 5:09 pm

By: Craig Day


Many soldiers who fought in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam often went years or decades without sharing their experiences with others. They certainly didn't have the technology to take a lot of pictures while in action.

But, with the War on Terror, that has changed. One Tulsa soldier, home on leave from Afghanistan, shared many of the photos he's taken of the mission that is making many Oklahomans proud.

For Ryan Roach, there are many memories, many things he's seen, moments he's captured on camera while deployed to Afghanistan.

A year ago, Roach was in his American History class as a freshmen at Oklahoma State. Now he's a part of history as it is shaped, and as it's being photographed like never before.

"The soldiers have more technological capabilities to take pictures," Roach said.

In perhaps the most documented war in World History, Roach, like many of his fellow soldiers with Oklahoma's 45th Infantry, are taking a lot of pictures.

"From a soldiers' perspective, they all see something different," he said.

Those soldiers' from Oklahoma are seeing unique scenery.

"The countryside, it's so different. You really can't find anything like it in America," Roach said.

And the conditions they see, are certainly not like you'd find in America. There are many photos of children.

Ryan Roach Pictures

"There are a lot of things we take for granted over here, electricity, being able to be around your family, and freedom," he said.

Beyond just his own desire to document his experiences in Afghanistan for his own enjoyment and for his family to see, Roach hopes his photos show the experience through a soldiers' perspective to others.

"I think it's good to show people what we're doing. A lot of people don't actually see the good that is coming out of the war. And it's actually very good," he said.

Roach hopes with every photo, every image, those who see them learns something and discovers the difference Oklahoma's men and women in uniform are making.

"They can understand a little more about what's going on, how it's happening, what we're doing and they're proud of it. And I like that," Roach said.

Roach was home on leave for 15 days. The 45th Infantry is expected to return home from Afghanistan and Kuwait to Oklahoma in April.

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