TIME LightBox the backstory

The Images That Moved Them Most: Photographers on America’s Veterans

LightBox asked 26 photographers, who are veterans of war themselves, to describe which of their own photographs of veterans had a deep impact on their lives or moved them a significant way.

On Veterans Day, TIME explores the profound effects of war—both on those who serve, and the people who support them.

LightBox asked 26 documentary photographers who have covered conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to describe which of their own photographs of veterans had a deep impact on their lives or moved them in a significant way.

Their testimonies are part of TIME’s veterans project. Find out more about it on the #TIMEvets page here.

Phil Bicker is a Senior Photo Editor at TIME

U.S. Marine Cpl. Brian Knight, of Cincinnati, Ohio, with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 1st Battalion 5th Marines, pauses briefly in the heat to rest with his heavy pack filled with mortar equipment, ammunition, food, and water in the Nawa district in Afghanistan's Helmand province Saturday, July 4, 2009. Tyson Johnson III, 22, a corporal and mechanic with Military Intelligence at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, was injured in a mortar attack. He suffered massive internal injuries. Photographed at his home in Prichard, Alabama, May 6, 2004. USA. San Antonio, TX. 2014. Bobby Henline flexes his muscles with his son Skyler at their home outside San Antonio.Bobby Henline was burned over 38% of his body when his humvee was destroyed by an IED in Iraq in 2007. After a lengthy recovery, he is now a standup comedian and motivational speaker. AUGUST 2006: Three wounded U.S. Army soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division await evacuation by helicopter from Kamdesh, Nuristan province. They were ambushed and suffered wounds to their eyes and foreheads. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg) soldiers with the 173rd battle company, on a battalian-wide mission in the korengal valley in the village of yakachina. captain dan kearney overwatches his troops and controls close air support fire from above the village with a group of his soldiers and the jtacssecond part of the mission is on the abascar rideline, looking for caves and weapons caches and known taliban leaders. APTOPIX Obit Anja Niedringhaus Photo Gallery afgh121210_0244.jpg The Lives Of Soldiers Iraq changed the men of Lima Company more than they could have imagined, guiding and afflicting them in ways many are struggling to understand. Lima took more casualties than any U.S. company in Iraq, losing 23 Marines killed in action. The survivors made it home from the war, but they brought the war with them. (2006) Specialist Sterling Jones of Battle Company in the Second Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team collapses in exhaustion during Operation Rock Avalanche in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on October 25, 2007. Sgt. Brian Keith with his wife, Sara, and their son, Stephen, 6 months, at Fort Drum, N.Y. Chad Caldwell Squad Leader SSG Michael Gegebheimer, left, of Alpha Company 3-21 Stryker Batt. watches a video of his newborn baby in the small trailer that has been his home for a year in Foward Operatin Base Courage in Mosul, Iraq. U.S. Army Sergeant Anderson from 1st Platoon, Apache Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division sits at a temporary patrol base after a patrol in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, on September 11, 2009. ANA and Apache Company conducted a four-day mission to show an increased presence in the area and to search target houses. Photo by Adam Ferguson Iraq Female Marines Take On Challenges in Afghanistan Military War Wounded Get Intensive Treatment At Brooke Army Medical Center Fighting the Invisible Man Wounded American service members in rehab at Walter Reed Hospital. Allan Armstrong - Army staff sergeant - leg amputee. Jose Ramos - Navy Corpsman, retired - hand amputee. Cedric King - Army Master Sergeant - bilateral leg amputee. by James Nachtwey DAVID FURST Sleeping Soldiers

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