Military Tattoos Go Beyond Skin-Deep

 Throughout history, tattooing has always been common among sailors and soldiers. It was a common and creative way of showing their war past or a way to remember their days at sea or the fallen. The 'original' sailor tattoos were based on anchors, and ships as tattoos were really just solid colors and lines. Nowadays we have gray washes that allow fading and shades, which can be used to make vivid details and designs. 
 Many soldiers have gotten fallen friends faces' on tattooed onto their arms in honor of them. They also choose designs or something that can symbolize fallen friends as well. However, people are coming forth and doing more for themselves as well. An example is Marine Staff Sgt. Mike Mendoza, who is 27. He has been in Iraq 3 times, and has three tattoos, one for each time he has gone, each symbolizing an event that had happened there. One is a "meat tag." Meat tags are basically permanent dog tags including the soldiers name, blood type, service branch, and social security number, the same as a dog tag.  According to the article, meat tags also help identify injured or fallen soldiers who have lost any other form of ID.


Analysis:
 Tattooing is a common among soldiers, for various forms of reasons. Anything from identification, remembering fallen friends, and personal reasons. It has become a vivid way of showing one's personal feelings.




Citation:
George, Jason. "Military Tattoos Go Beyond Skin-Deep." Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL). Oct. 3 2006: n.p. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 22 Apr 2012.


Reflection Questions:

1) Why do you feel soldiers often get tattoos to remember painful pasts?


2) Do you feel that Meat Tags are good or bad ideas? Why?