The Power of a Single Picture

Staff Sgt. Joe Cox, an avowed shutterbug, still believes in the power of a single picture
...Cox is safe in the U.S., back from his second tour in Iraq and now based at Fort Polk, La.

But when FOX News last talked to him on Memorial Day 2008, he was in constant danger.

Then, he was using his camera to change Iraq – one picture at a time — as his 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry regiment patrolled the blown-up towns of Diyala province.

Taking pictures from his Stryker vehicle and then later sharing the prints with his subjects, Staff Sgt. Cox would build bonds with the Iraqi people. His photographs built bonds with the families of six of his comrades when tragedy struck.

The father of one of the men who fell that day saw the Fox report and later found a blog by the Fox reporter, Catherine Herridge. Through the report and comments on the blog, Cox became friends with the families of the fallen.

Every time he picks up his camera now, Cox honors the seven sons lost on that January day — six Americans and one Iraqi.

“By making him my friend (referring to the Iraqis) have I not destroyed my enemy?” Cox said.

Some of Joe's photos can be found here.

Cross posted at Say Anything