IN MEMORIAM -

Dith Pran

Born: September 27, 1942
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Cambodian journalist, photographer, and activist

Dith Pran was a Cambodian journalist who suffered four years of abusive treatment after the Communist Khmer Rouge forces took over his country in 1975. Pran eventually escaped and became a crusader for justice in Cambodia. His story was portrayed in the 1984 movie The Killing Fields. (wikipedia)

If you aren't familiar with his story, it's worth the time to find out. Just google his name and prepare to be humbled. Since Pran worked as a photojournalist for the New York Times and I for the Trenton Times, our paths crossed occasionally on some assignments. My jaw dropped the first time I saw him because I knew who he was, a legend, standing right there in front of me doing the same job I was. I didn't know what to say and I'm not all that outgoing anyway, but he brought me out of myself when he was around. As we would see each other again, he treated me like we were old friends. I'm grateful to have known Dith Pran. I made the above photo of him at the Veterans' Day Ceremony held at Veterans Park in Hamilton Township on November 7, 2004. May he rest in peace.

On the five-year anniversary of America's involvement with the war in Iraq, at a Moratorium Day Regional Rally in front of the State House in Trenton, New Jersey, Sue Niederer, looks at a memorial with a picture of her son, Seth Dvorin, who was killed on February 3rd, 2004, while conducting counter-IED operations in the war in Iraq. Neiderer has become an outspoken critic of the war.

Today marks five years since the "shock and awe" bombing campaign began marking the beginning of the US invasion of Iraq. From left, Staff Sgt. Luddie Austin, Sgt. Carl Oliver & Spc. Tony Harris, stand by a memorial to their unit's fallen comrades at the National Guard Armory on Eggerts Crossing Road in Lawrence Township, New Jersey.

After a fire, Trenton Firefighter Gary Szabo whips out his camera to sneak a candid photo of several news photographers standing across the street, but not before I shot him first! When he's not busy fighting fires and rescuing people, Gary shoots video for the local TV news channel, WZBN. And for more from this day's fire, go to 1stResponder.

West Windsor Plainsboro South High School swimmer Rachel Sartor swims to a first place finish in the 100m backstroke in the state finals cheered on by her mom, Kay, and others.

Здравствуйте! Which I sincerely hope means "Hello" in a language my new Russian friend can understand. That's him sitting on the bench in front of the former Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Co HQ. I had an assignment to photograph the building. He walked by and we started talking photography.

I'm a monkey! At least according to the Chinese Animal Zodiac. Rider University held a Chinese New Year celebration featuring a luncheon and various performances by students.