I'm generally not a fan of didactic art because it papers over many of the hard experiences about war or anything else in life. I wanted to explore various aspects of the experience without an eye towards delivering any particular message. Phil Klay artaspectdeliver share on social
Prayer in a combat zone serves exactly the same purpose as it does in peacetime. In war, the stakes are life and death, true; but if you believe in God and in the notion of a human soul, then we are always making decisions of tremendous significance. Phil Klay combatdeathdecision share on social
Writing 'Redeployment' shook me in ways I never expected. Phil Klay expectredeploymentshake Change image and share on social
It's often difficult to get perspective on your own stories, on your own experiences, without talking them through with someone who is genuinely interested in thinking about them. And that's the key. Phil Klay difficultexperiencegenuinely Change image and share on social
Marines and soldiers don't issue themselves orders; they don't send themselves overseas. United States citizens elect the leaders who send us overseas. Phil Klay citizenelectissue Change image and share on social
It's easier to get people to talk to you if you're a vet and you want to interview a vet about war. Sometimes they open up a little bit easier. Phil Klay biteeasyinterview Change image and share on social
The notion that war forever separates veterans from the rest of mankind has been long embedded in our collective consciousness. Phil Klay collectiveconsciousnessembed Change image and share on social
I literally went straight to New York City from Iraq, which was bizarre and complicated. I was walking down Madison Avenue, and it was spring, and people were smartly dressed, and it was so strange because there was no sense that we were at war. It was something to grapple with. Phil Klay avenuebizarrecity share on social
