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Because He Cared
Many people who met the young Dan Eldon instantly recognized his extraordinary
talent with the camera. But his best known work came about because he
cared for people. He was among the first photographers to open the world's
eyes to the horrible suffering in Somalia. Dan first visited Somalia after
hearing rumors about the brutal famine in the summer of 1992. He was horrified
by what he saw. "Hundreds of bodies, tossed into ditches like sacks....The
worst things I could not photograph," he wrote in his journal. Dan's pictures
of famine victims soon appeared in newspapers and magazines all over the
world. One of his photos became a two-page spread in Newsweek. Dan's work
attracted the attention of Reuters, the international news agency. By
Christmas that year, Dan was working for the company, shooting the increasingly
desperate situation in Somalia. He followed the story closely and was
present at the Marine landing, along with a multitude of other photographers
and journalists. Dan Eldon never left Somalia. On July 12, 1993, while
covering the bombing of what was thought to be rebel leader General Mohammed
Aidid's headquarters, Dan and three of his colleagues were stoned to death
by an angry mob. His work remains an eloquent and persuasive testimonial
to the brutality of war and to his own caring nature.
Read
more about Dan's life of sacrifice and courageous service (At
the TBS site, click on "Dan Eldon's Life" on the right side
of the page, small yellow letters.)
Read
the CNN story about Dan Eldon
Dan Eldon loved this poem by Emerson:
SUCCESS:
To laugh often and love much
To win respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others
To leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
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