This is a very special photograph t me. It reflects a frozen moment in time for a special soldier. SPC Charles Odums, from my home town of Sandusky, Ohio was killed by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while driving a Humvee enroute to help other wounded soldiers in Iraq. The attendance for his funeral was so massive that The Ebenezer Baptist Church could not hold all the people in attendance. News crews from everywhere turned out for this funeral. I didn't know charles personally but I do know his parents. I made this photograph after attending this event and I look at it daily as a reminder of the lives lost daily in the War on Terrorism. Today I have friends that are over in Iraq at this very moment, away from their families and I say a prayer for each of them daily, in hopes that they will return home safe. As a former military Non-Commissioned Officer I want to thank those that serve today and those that have served for your dedication to the Nation. Please keep those, that keep us safe, in your thoughts and prayers. 

Jimmy McSalters