Wounded Marine during the inaugural speech by President Bush. (photo)

crushelits | Jan. 20, 2004 | crushelits/wapo

[crushelits]

A HERO SALUTES Casey Owens, a wounded Marine, salutes as his mother Janna Owens cries during the inaugural speech by President Bush. The president pledged to work to heal a country divided by the Iraq war. "We have known divisions, which must be healed to move forward in great purposes, and I will strive in good faith to heal them."

[hinckley buzzard]

"....The honor and dignity of Casey Owens is astoundingly obvious."

You can just tell...this Marine is ten times the man, with no legs, that John Kerry is with every cowardly hair intact.

[jwpjr]

It would have been very easy to see the young Marine, realize what a powerful image he makes with that proud salute from his wheelchair and completely miss the mom who is saluting in a way only a mom can salute. My hat is off to the photographer. I have a website where I post some of my favorite pictures that I've taken. Check it out if you get a few minutes.

http://www.jwparker.com/portfolio/index.htm

This link will send you to a section that a variety of pictures, many taken for the newspaper. At the bottom of the left column is a link to photos by John W Parker, click that and it will take you to my index page. Most of them are pretty boring, lots of birthday parties, etc. but every once in a while you'll come across one that's interesting.

[Miss Behave]

Jwpjr, thank you so much for the link to your wonderful pictures. I especially like the ones of the children--you've really caught the expressions that write their moments' stories in that as a viewer, one is drawn in. I sure appreciate them, and that you gave those pictures to me as a gift.

And like you, I am in complete awe of the vision of this God-gifted photographer, who snapped today's beyond-words, bigger than life, MOMENT'S story and, ALSO in that shutter's blink, a LIFE'S story, of Marine Casey Owens and his loving mother.

May God bless and shine down on this mother and son.

[Miss Behave]

Jwpjr, thank you so much for the link to your wonderful pictures. I especially like the ones of the children--you've really caught the expressions that write their moments' stories in that as a viewer, one is drawn in. I sure appreciate them, and that you gave those pictures to me as a gift.

And like you, I am in complete awe of the vision of this God-gifted photographer, who snapped today's beyond-words, bigger than life, MOMENT'S story and, ALSO in that shutter's blink, a LIFE'S story, of Marine Casey Owens and his loving mother.

May God bless and shine down on this mother and son.

[Darnright]

If this doesn't bring a lump to the throat, I don't know what will.

[Miss Behave]

Bumping this beautiful photo, and your informational link on fine Marine, Corporal Casey Owen's. Thank you so much, Michael, for that info. Here's to hopes that Freepers will spread the word of this photo being here on FR.

And Crushelits, I can't tell you enough how your posting of this superb, once-in-a-Blue-Moon photo, has deeply effected me. It has been transposed to my mind, exactly as I laid eyes on it, for ALL my life. I will forever remember this day, much in part, with the inclusion of the photo of Casey Owens and his mother.

[BOBWADE]

God bless this brave Marine.

[zip]

....The honor and dignity of Casey Owens is astoundingly obvious.

Great comment, one worth repeating.

....The honor and dignity of Casey Owens is astoundingly obvious.

[Miss Behave]

Bumping you all this beautiful photo, and Michael81Dus's informational link on fine Marine Corporal Casey Owens. Thank you so much, Michael, for that info. Here's to hopes that Freepers will spread the word of this photo being here on FR. I just, at least, didn't want you all to miss it. I know it's late and has been a long, exhaustingly awesome day, so don't feel as though you need to comment--just wanted you all to witness the very moving photo. Good evening to all my fellow, great Freepers. I'm so thankful to be on the board.

And Crushelits, I can't tell you enough how your posting of this superb, once-in-a-Blue-Moon photo, has deeply effected me. It has been transposed to my mind, exactly as I laid eyes on it, for ALL my life. I will forever remember this day, much in part, with the inclusion of the photo of Casey Owens and his mother.

[SmithL]

Great Photo.

Salute!

[Miss Behave]

Whoops, meant to ping you (not bump as I did above to others) at the front of the list, to the other fellow Freepers (that I thought would appreciate the photo.)

[Iwo Jima]

Of course I honor and respect the Marine. He has done his duty. Nothing further need be said to honor him.

But my heart and soul zeroed in on his mother. No training on this earth prepared her for this.

May the Marine have continued resolve to aid his mother in her time of trial.

[Theophilus]

Thank God for Cpl Casey Owens!

[Salvation]

Thank you for posting this. My emotions can't be named at the moment.

[Theophilus]

I somehow feel that he stands taller, even now, than some like me who have never served. I am in awe.

[Miss Behave]

It knocks the wind right out of you, doesn't it, Salvation?

Bumping yet again.

[US_MilitaryRules]

Thank you for this address. I'm donating right now.

[jwpjr]

Thank you for the kind words! Believe me, any ability that I have to capture 'that moment' is a gift from God and not of my doing. Did you find the section called Visions & Verses? Over the years I've added scripture to pictures that I felt illustrated a point in the Bible. I have a lot of new ones to add to the online site.

http://www.jwparker.com/vv/index.htm

Thanks again for the kind words. I love what I do!

[Peach]

It is a very moving photograph, Miss Behave.

[TexKat]

Thanks so much for the ping Miss Behave. What beautiful and patriotic proof of one of our many heros!!!