The Human Factor
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Thursday, October 18, 2007 | 
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By Mitch Shaw
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
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By Mitch Shaw
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
CLINTON -- If anyone is qualified to join the debate over the war in Iraq, it's Tyler Norager.
The 21-year-old Clinton resident and Army infantry soldier is joining forces with Ogden artist Cat Palmer to present a photography exhibit that showcases the human aspects of war. Sponsors hope it will create a dialogue for peace.
"Ty really has an incredible story to tell, and he is doing that through his art," Palmer said.
Norager's story started in summer 2005, when he joined the Army.
He was deployed to Iraq a year later and served there from August 2006 to Oct. 3, 2007. He's now stationed in Germany.
On Oct. 22, 2006, Norager's Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb, badly wounding him and killing the two other passengers in the truck.
Norager suffered shrapnel wounds to his face, neck and back and received a Purple Heart for his injuries.
He saw a lot of bloodshed during his time in Iraq, losing 14 soldiers from his unit, including two of his sergeants.
But after his Humvee was hit, Norager's viewpoint on the war in Iraq changed.
"Since then, I have had a completely different outlook on this war," he said in an e-mail.
The camera Norager used to take photos of the war was destroyed beyond use in the bombing. He sent the camera home to his mother, Debbie Pons. She found the memory card was still functioning and downloaded his photos.
"When we downloaded his photos, we saw he had some pretty poignant stuff," said Pons.
Palmer, a friend of Norager's aunt, saw his photography and encouraged him to continue taking photos.
Palmer said she also sent Norager a brand-new camera after his second camera was stolen during a baggage check-in at the Baghdad Airport. She eventually decided to combine his work with hers and present it in an exhibit.
"I think it will be really interesting, because you are seeing the war from the eyes of a soldier," she said. "Ty no longer believes in the war in Iraq, and his art shows why that's the case."
The subject matter of art in the exhibit ranges from Palmer's shots of beautiful women in gas masks to Norager's raw images from the frontline of the war.
"Ty is very excited about the exhibit and to be able to convey his message through his art," said Pons. "It takes a lot of courage for him to voice his opinion in the way he has."
Norager, who has a wife and 10-month-old daughter, is now stationed in Germany, awaiting his next orders. According to Pons, although he no longer believes in the war, Norager wants the sacrifices of those fighting in it to always be remembered.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," said Pons. "But one thing we alway say is, 'You don't have to support the war, but you absolutely have to support the warrior.'"
The exhibit runs Friday through Nov. 13 at the Utah Arts Festival's offices, 230 S. 500 West, No. 120, Salt Lake City. An opening reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. A Veteran's Day reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 12 to honor Norager, his battalion and all of the soldiers who have served.
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