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Sunday, December 29, 2002

First published Sept. 11, 2002
By Robert J. Pavuchak

The Service of Light remembering victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was held on the eve of the anniversary of the attacks, in a field near James Chapel United Methodist Church in Finleyville, Washington County. The beam of light was meant to unite the community in spirit with lights that shone at the World Trade Center site in New York. Pavuchak: "I just knew that this vigil would generate a great photo, so after my normal tour of duty, I headed to the James Chapel. Picture editor Jim Mendenhall reminded me, 'Don't forget your tripod.' He was 1,000 percent right, as I was the only photographer there with a tripod. The service was lengthy, and it was dark when they turned on the light at the very end. At this moment, the Photo Angel and a brisk breeze fluttered the American flag. I quickly moved my tripod and digital camera into position, with the beam advancing skyward, piercing the center of the flag, and got off only a few frames before the breeze died and the volunteer firefighters dispersed. The exposure had been too long for a hand-held shot. A moment in time, not lost! I rushed home and e-mailed it in for the next edition."