From Soldier To “Boy”

I created this painting working from a photo taken in 1918 of two World War I soldiers, members of the 369th Infantry Regiment (aka “Harlem Hellfighters”).
What struck me was knowing that no matter how bravely they fought, that when they returned to the States, they were treated as “less than,” not as soldiers who were owed a debt of gratitude.

I think it’s highly appropriate I finished this on Memorial Day, but the photo I worked from did not give either the names of the soldiers nor credited the photographer.