I have a friend named Marion who often alerts me to local photo opportunities. In early July I received two calls to go take a look at a roadside display of small flags and a circular growth of mushrooms.

Arriving at 95th and State Line, I gazed at a lengthy strip containing thousands of miniature American flags. At one end was a number and it became obvious that this was the number of troops that had died in Iraq since the most recent war began. Judging from the quantity, the display was an ambitious project that had taken some time to complete. Stopping for a closer look, I compared notes with a few other photographers the social statement had attracted. Several were cameramen from the local newspaper.