Headlines, photos, and griefPage 2 of 2 -- From headlines to photos The Page 1 photo on April 9 of Marines praying over the body of a fallen comrade brought only a few complaints. But because the callers were Marines heading to Iraq, their views carried special weight.Their opinion was informed by the realities of war and personal sacrifice in a way not possible for the rest of us. They saw it through their own filter -- and to them, the photo was disrespectful and in poor taste.
"I understand that the news is news, but I don't think it's necessary to show a young Marine . . . dead, on the front of the paper," said Sergeant Geoffrey Coffin. From Lance Corporal Jeff Peddar: "I don't feel you have to show a dead man's body to get people to be antiwar . . . If you were over there in Iraq, would you want that to be your family's last memory of you?" "It's very hurtful," said Lance Corporal Chad Franz, who said his fiance was upset by the image. "The message you were trying to send could have been sent a different way," concluded Corporal Andrew Galonzka.All four are from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, based at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. They represented the bulk of the complaints about the photo, although a few non-Marines sent the same message.
US Marines prayed over a comrade after he died of wounds suffered in fighting in Fallujah. (AP Photo/ Murad Sezer) From my more distant (and safe) vantage point, the photo had a different message, one of respect and sadness. That is also how the Globe's photo directors saw it. It was "a very moving, emotional, respectful moment and really `brought home' the reality of the situation in Iraq," said Paula Nelson, deputy director of photography. "I think this photo touched many people's deepest emotions about the reality of war, whether in support of the action in Iraq or not. It was a photo that the management team felt very strongly had to be shown."Not everyone from Squadron 472 objected to the photo. Staff Sergeant Patrick Robb, who is responsible for the men who will be deployed in June to prepare for departure to Iraq, said the image's sobering reality served one important purpose: "It helps my guys take their training seriously." Now they know, he said, "that this is the real deal."
The ombudsman represents the readers. Her opinions and conclusions are her own. Phone 617-929-3020 or, to leave a message, 929-3022. Our e-mail address is ombud@globe.com. © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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