Oregonian Travels Thousands of Miles to Honor our War Dead

Photographer spends his life honoring fallen heroes and documenting their sacrifice, but he needs like minded individuals to help his effort.

All funeral images by Q. Madp of IraqWarHeroes.org

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - As a nation we recently heard about the number of American casualties in Iraq passing 4,000. We are also fighting a war in Afghanistan and the number of casualties from that theater has increased in recent months.

Q. Madp of IraqWarHeroes.org

While some people wave flags and others protest the war one Oregonian, Q. Madp of iraqwarheroes.org spends his life paying respects at these somber events and he records those visual images that only an experienced world class photographer can take.

His point is to give the families a record of that tragic day that they laid their loved one to rest. He refuses to take money from the families for his service, and he only shares photos with the media when the family specifically agrees to it.

The hardest part for Q. is finding regular support to fuel his efforts to recognize our fallen. It is a shame and I occasionally report breakthroughs like a company agreeing to put up a billboard for Q., or another when a company donates a car to him, but these generous acts need more company and as Americans and Oregonians, we should feel obligated to help him take care of this most basic need.

Every casualty from the war is listed on IraqWarHeroes.org. It is the only place anyone knows of that so accurately and carefully spends maximum effort honoring our war dead. Regardless of your politics, this is an important job Q. Madp has taken on.

The funeral coverage is mixed with the upkeep of the Website. When more soldiers and servicemembers died overseas Q. travels more. In recent days Q. completed what becomes a full tour covering our fallen.

"It’s been a very long week. 5 trips up north and back. On my 3rd trip to the Fort Lewis area, my odometer went over 100,000. I got this car last July 10th, 8 months ago and have since put on it 32,462 miles for missions for our heroes."

He tirelessly pushes on, and he performs a role that brings great solace to American families who have lost a loved one.

"I’ve had at least 11 oil changes in the last 8 months and consumed over 1352 Gallons of gasoline. My gas card is maxed out again and I can’t find any local companies to donate a transmission and radiator flush." He says he recognizes that the very few people that try and help are struggling themselves. "I managed to get on two more local radio shows again asking for help. No takers," Madp said.

"I did receive 1 letter, postmarked March 19 and it came from Knoxville TN. The hand written note on the card reads: 'Your work can compete with nature and take a person’s breath away. Thank you and bless you for all you do.'"

Here is one of Q's mission reports, which gives you an idea how much time and mileage goes into this unique role:

Mission Report for PFC Joshua Young KIA 01/28/08 Mosul, Iraq

At home working on photos: 22 Hours. Total photos for family: 1320 Total posted for public: 218 pics.

He also reports that he just did 5 back to back up in Washington. They were for:

PO2 Christopher Strom 03/16/08 service in Shelton WA

Cpl Jose Paniagua-Morales 03/17/08 service in Tacoma WA

Beyond the photographs included here, you can see the photos he has posted for the public at iraqwarheroes.org/youngjar.htm. Just visiting iraqwarheroes.org and making a donation can make a big difference for maintaining our history and the respect required for those who have died at war.
Contact:
Q Madp
PO Box 86888
Portland OR 97286-0888
Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away
iraqwarheroes.org
myspace.com/qfocal