Retired Marine veteran Joe Winslow’s combat service in the Battle of Fallujah inspired a return to his love of art, which he talks about in this week’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
With a rifle in one hand, and a sketch pad in the other, retired Marine veteran Joe Winslow’s combat service in the Battle of Fallujah inspired a return to his love of art. He drew sketches and collected artifacts before returning home to begin working on art reflecting the dedication of Marines in action.
As the special guest on this week’s episode of The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, Winslow talked about the convergence of warrior and artist.
“As an older captain, I had a unique perspective,” said Winslow, a member of American Legion Post 22 in Luray, Va. “A lot of the Marines were 20 years old. I was 36. I had a different perspective. I saw things that they were doing in combat, I saw how they were putting their lives at risk. I was so impressed, so shocked, so awed and so humbled.”
He also knew what lay ahead for the young Marines.
“They were going to be grievously injured, there friends were going to be grievously injured,” Winslow said. “They were going to sleep with this every night the rest of their lives. It added a level of awe and humility to my role. That is what informs my art today. We’ve got to show the heart that drives these young people.”
Winslow also riffs on several topics:
• His art concept. “I try to communicate what’s going through that Marine’s head and heart in that order in how I depict that Marine, sailor or soldier.”
• Transition assistance: “If you join at 17 and leave at 23, you’ve never actually been an adult in society. You’re in a whole new spot. You’re coming out and you’re back somewhere you’ve never been before. And it is difficult.”
• What’s next: “For the past few years and for the foreseeable future, my mission is to portray the young men and women in Anbar Province. That it my starting point. It’s a gift that was given to me that is my duty to do and fully own this.”
Also in this episode, co-hosts Adam Marr, Joe Worley and Stacy Pearsall talk about:
• The latest on alternative therapies for veterans mental health.
• The origins of battle cries.
• The upcoming anniversary of Star Trek.
You can also check out the more than 300 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Tango Alpha Lima