When I am in pain, I am in prayer

Kim Phuc: A Picture of Peace

From tears of agony to perfect peace, the story behind the girl in the Vietnam Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph

By Renee James

Petite, Phan Thi Kim Phuc looks like a gust of wind could blow her off the stage, but her speech represents the wisp of a flame boldly embroidered in her elaborate Asian gown. You could hear a pin drop as she comments on the tragedy unfolding on the screen behind her: in grainy black and white movie clips, there's a plane, a ball of flame, uniformed soldiers, and children emerging from a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. A toddler, skin shredded from his body, is carried in the arms of a sobbing female, and in front of them all stands a slight girl, naked, face contorted in terror, arms outstretched.

Kim Phuc was that girl. continue reading >>