War Correspondents Fall

One of my favorite tomes of youth was Ernie Pyle's final book. Before today's age of the helmet camera, valorous journalists like Pyle and Robert Capa brought war back to the drawing rooms of the home front. While one might argue that in the age of cellular phones and the Internet that the necessity of "embedded reporters" is diminished, it in no way lessens the elan displayed by these brave souls from Afghanistan to Libya. They may not wish to be considered heroic, but they volunteer to expose themselves to the same risk as the combatants themselves. And generally (though with rare exceptions) they do not shoot back. Armed only with a camera and courage, journalists have given their lives to show the public back home the true face of war. (Editor's note: After publication of yesterday's "City of Misery" that commemorated the life and contribution of Tim Hetherington, it was revealed that Chris Hondros, who had been reported as wounded, also tragically succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Hondros was as committed to his profession as Mr. Hetherington was, and deserves equal mention as both fell in service of transmitting an essential story to the world. Their work will be missed but that in no way measures the loss felt by their close colleagues, family, and friends.)