War through an Artist and Soldier's Eye

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- From the ruins of Baghdad to a homecoming parade, an Oklahoma National Guardsman documented his life in a war zone. His work is now on display showing snapshots of a soldier's life.

The person behind the lens is Major Terry LaFrance of the 45th Infantry Brigade. He used an everyday camera to capture events that only a soldier can see.

"You see what CNN shows you, but you don't see what I saw," said Maj. LaFrance.

He applied an artist's touch to each moment captured in time. Terry calls the collection "An Artists View of War, Looking For Beauty in Chaos."

"Even in the worst circumstances you can find beauty. Even in a hot, nasty, dirty loud desert you can find something to please your senses," Maj. LaFrance said.

The still photos and video documents a span of nine months from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Kuwait, into Bagdad and back home. Each picture tells a different story.

"I found this boot laying there and it put a human presence to it, just reminds you that there were people in this vehicle when it was blown up," said Maj. LaFrance.

Now that Maj. LaFrance is back in Oklahoma, he's taking his hobby to the next level. Each photo is on display and for sale, but even if he never sees a penny for his work, this soldier says he is proud of his service and is happy to give the public a different perspective of a serious subject.

See his work at 312 NE 37 Street. Some of his work is part of a fundraiser for wounded vets.

Learn more about the Independence Fund, the group Maj. LaFrance is fundraising for, and how you can help.