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Toy soldiers get serious

The casualties of war

Toy soldiers get serious
14 June 2011

As kids, we're used to thinking of war as a fun game to play. Toy soldiers reflect images of brave, stoic fighters who we use as heroes in the battle against evil invaders, usually represented by our sister's dolls.

Using them to subvert our expectations, We Are Dorothy created a set which aimed to highlight the damaged nature of many soldiers when they return home.

After they came back from Iraq, a single battalion based at Colorado Springs were involved in brawls, beatings, drunk driving, drug deals, shootings, stabbings, kidnapping and suicides.

Returning soldiers were found to be committing murder at a rate 20 times higher than the average American male.

The 'Casualties of War' collection was created to remind people that life back home can be just as hellish for soldiers.

Find out more here.