IRAQ. Mosul. 2006. An American medic treats a civilian wounded by the explosion of a roadside bomb that had just missed our
patrol. The man had been driving with his wife and brother in an old hatchback. The commander ordered
our patrol to stop. The medic jumped out of the Stryker and ran to the ruined car, followed by several
soldiers. They found the driver slumped over the steering wheel, bleeding from multiple wounds. The other
passengers were untouched. Private Johnson laid the patient on the ground and bandaged him up. The
other soldiers pointed their rifles in his direction, lighting the scene with high-powered flashlights attached
to the muzzles. During the short ride to the hospital, he muttered prayers and stared at his bloodied hand.