Sal Veder and the Photo That Defined Hope | San Diego News

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Sal Veder, who captured the iconic 1973 image “Burst of Joy” showing a POW’s emotional reunion with his family, has died at 99. The photo, taken in a makeshift darkroom in a women’s bathroom, became a symbol of hope and homecoming — though its story was layered, as the soldier later divorced his wife and died in 2025. Veder, a lifelong AP photographer known for covering major events from Vietnam protests to the assassinations of Moscone and Milk, was remembered as humble, passionate, and a mentor to many. He retired in 1993 and is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/724ec52698316339