Photographing the wounds of war

White House photographer Pete Souza, who is a great storyteller visually and with words, has today’s must read blog post.

It’s about this guy. Cory Remsburg, an Army Ranger whom he’d met while photographing at the 65th anniversary of D-Day, six years ago tomorrow.

June 6, 2009: President Obama greets Cory Remsburg and other Army Rangers in Normandy. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

He met him again — as did the president — at a military hospital in Bethesda, Md.

Feb. 28, 2010: President Obama visits Cory Remsburg at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

They’ve met several times since, most recently a few months ago, when he welcomed the president at his home, which had been built for him by volunteers in Arizona.

March 13, 2015: Cory and his father greet the President at Cory's newly finished home in Gilbert, Ariz. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Souza writes that he had asked Remsburg why he was given permission by the Ranger to release the photo of him in the hospital.

“As part of my recovery, this picture depicted the seriousness of injuries sustained during both wars,” Cory said.

Clearly, he wasn’t just talking about himself. He’s aware that he is speaking for all wounded warriors.

Related: What MN veterans wish you knew about their experience (MPR News)