Staff Sgt. Patrick Kutschbach

Written By Justin Merriman
On Tuesday, my assignment, along with a reporter, was to knock on the Kutschbach's door in Kennedy Township. They had just received word that their loved one, Patrick Kutschbach, a Green Beret, was killed north of the Afghan capital of Kabul when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, according to U.S. military officials. He was 25. We spoke with Patrick's brother who was holding his brother's one-year old son. "He's oblivious to all this," he said with tears in his eyes and informed us the military was still inside the home helping the family make funeral arrangements. I didn't take any photographs and instead offered my condolences to the family and headed back my car. I started thinking that of all the things we complain about in the business, this is worst part of our jobs and that for over 5 years journalists have knocked on over 3,000 family's doors and nearly each and every time they did exactly the same as us and offered their condolences, went back to their cars, and headed back to their offices. The real story is behind their door at that moment. As journalists, we need to let the families know that we are there because we care, because our readers care, and the fact that we are still showing up on their doorsteps is a reflection on the countries desire to know those who gave their lives for this country. The day we stop showing up on their doorsteps is a sad day for America. By telling the stories of these soldiers we are keeping their voices alive and honoring them in the best way we can..by remembering.
Justin Merriman

Justin Merriman is a freelance photojournalist, commercial photographer, licensed drone pilot, and filmmaker based in Pittsburgh. His career began in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he worked as a newspaper photographer dedicated to community storytelling and politics. Since then, his work has been recognized with regional, national, and international awards and has appeared in publications around the world.

After covering the crash of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001, Merriman committed to documenting the U.S. military’s War on Terror, reporting from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and across the United States. His international assignments have also included life in Fidel Castro’s Cuba, India’s campaign to eradicate polio, the aftermath of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba in 2012, the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis in Rome, the second anniversary of Egypt’s revolution, Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea, and the uncertain future of Guantanamo Bay in 2015. That same year, he traveled the full U.S.–Mexico border to document immigration issues.

In addition to photography, Merriman works as a director and filmmaker, creating recent films on refugees in Turkey, Jordan, India, and South Africa.

Closer to home, he frequently covers stories across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, focusing on the intersections of economic, environmental, and political life. Most recently, he reported on the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and its impact on the community.

Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Merriman graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a B.A. in English Writing. In 2009, the university awarded him its prestigious Alumnus of Distinction award. He is a founding member of Argo Collective, a group of photographers sharing diverse visions of America. He lives outside Pittsburgh with his wife, Stephanie Strasburg, a photojournalist with PublicSource.

http://www.justinmerriman.com
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